142
5.
SECTIONING
The microtome can be factory-adapted so that a 6 sec cycle with a cutting
speed of 1 mm/sec is available. (This perhaps will become a standard
feature.) Flat leaf springs are used as hinges for moving parts, thus giving
great lateral stability, and avoiding the use of bearings.
A binocular dissecting microscope and an illuminating system are an
integral part of the design and are so arranged that one has particularly
good control of block and knife orientation. In this the designers have
perhaps tried to use too high a magnification for the available illumination, so that these features do not work out quite as nicely as one might
hope for. However, the specimen and the knife can be more precisely
controlled in this instrument than in any other. In particular, the knife
tilt can be exactly determined. A fine adjustment that is almost too fine
provides a manual control for bringing the specimen in close proximity
to the knife.
This microtome can be expected to work beautifully once successful
sectioning has started. One has to use so much care in setting up an
operation, though, that this becomes an exacting and rather time-consuming task. Carelessness and error, or any situation which prevents
immediate sectioning as soon as it is attempted, is apt to disrupt the
smooth course of operation, and will be more frustrating and difficult to
correct than with most other microtomes.
The manufacturer emphasizes that this is a particularly nice microtome
for serial sectioning, which indeed is true. Also, section thickness can be
continuously variable. It is quite feasible to keep reducing the thickness
while sectioning to achieve the thinnest sections possible under the
circumstances. Thus it is an excellent instrument for the most critical
work.
This microtome is relatively insensitive to vibrations, and thus it can
be mounted on any reasonably sturdy table. Where there is a vibration
problem in the building, however, the manufacturer recommends purchasing a special table incorporating damping devices.
We have had one of these instruments in service for well over a year
and have had very little difficulty with it. At one time, however, it did
require service. The company seems to maintain excellently trained
service personnel and, indeed, most of the circuitry is included on a
plug-in printed circuit-board which can be returned to the factory or
regional office without difficulty. Exchange boards are available to meet
such crises.
5.
SECTIONING
The microtome can be factory-adapted so that a 6 sec cycle with a cutting
speed of 1 mm/sec is available. (This perhaps will become a standard
feature.) Flat leaf springs are used as hinges for moving parts, thus giving
great lateral stability, and avoiding the use of bearings.
A binocular dissecting microscope and an illuminating system are an
integral part of the design and are so arranged that one has particularly
good control of block and knife orientation. In this the designers have
perhaps tried to use too high a magnification for the available illumination, so that these features do not work out quite as nicely as one might
hope for. However, the specimen and the knife can be more precisely
controlled in this instrument than in any other. In particular, the knife
tilt can be exactly determined. A fine adjustment that is almost too fine
provides a manual control for bringing the specimen in close proximity
to the knife.
This microtome can be expected to work beautifully once successful
sectioning has started. One has to use so much care in setting up an
operation, though, that this becomes an exacting and rather time-consuming task. Carelessness and error, or any situation which prevents
immediate sectioning as soon as it is attempted, is apt to disrupt the
smooth course of operation, and will be more frustrating and difficult to
correct than with most other microtomes.
The manufacturer emphasizes that this is a particularly nice microtome
for serial sectioning, which indeed is true. Also, section thickness can be
continuously variable. It is quite feasible to keep reducing the thickness
while sectioning to achieve the thinnest sections possible under the
circumstances. Thus it is an excellent instrument for the most critical
work.
This microtome is relatively insensitive to vibrations, and thus it can
be mounted on any reasonably sturdy table. Where there is a vibration
problem in the building, however, the manufacturer recommends purchasing a special table incorporating damping devices.
We have had one of these instruments in service for well over a year
and have had very little difficulty with it. At one time, however, it did
require service. The company seems to maintain excellently trained
service personnel and, indeed, most of the circuitry is included on a
plug-in printed circuit-board which can be returned to the factory or
regional office without difficulty. Exchange boards are available to meet
such crises.