Instruction manual

Rotary Microtome HM 355 S
MICROM International GmbH
Robert-Bosch-Str. 49
D- 69190 Walldorf
PART 4 WORKING WITH THE MICROTOME
4-1 PREPARATION AND
ORIENTATION
Before sectioning, the specimens must be prepared
appropriately and embedded in suitable media. The
universal cassette as well as different forms for
round or rectangular specimens can be used for the
embedding. With the orienting adapter and cylinder
head, the specimen can easily be oriented to the
knife. (See 2-11-2, adapter, orienting, specimen
orientation).
4-2 COARSE FEED AND
TRIMMING FUNCTION
The knife carrier can be moved and the coarse
feed or the trimming function can be used to adjust
approximately the space between specimen and
knife edge. If the instrument is equipped with an
automatic approach system, this process can also
be carried out by using the automatic approach
system.
Turning the handwheel in a clockwise direction
results in the first contact between knife and
specimen. Continue this to start trimming the
specimen thus achieving the desired level. Any
waste should be wiped away in an upward
direction with a brush.
4-3 SECTIONING INSTRUCTIONS
To cut usable sections, the following points are of
utmost importance:
4-3-1 CONDITION OF THE KNIFE
EDGE
Only use a sharp knife! If the knife edge is blunt,
move the knife horizontally either to the right or left
side to continue working with the sharp area of the
cutting edge, or have the knife resharpened.
4-3-2 CLEAN KNIFE SURFACES
For optimal sectioning, the front and back of the
knife must be cleaned of paraffin waste.