Revised May 2012
8
1.2.3 QUICK RELEASE FEATHER BLADE HOLDER BLOCK
The complete knife holder block FIG 1(6) can be moved towards or away from the specimen. Raise the knife block clamp
locking lever FIG 2(9) on the right side of the knife holder and slide the holder to the desired position, or use knife
carriage feed control. Note that the knife carriage feed control can be replaced by the FTA (Fine Trim Adjuster 1.2.4a)
Press the lever down to lock.
In normal paraffin was section cutting, the knife holder would seldom be moved once it has been put in the most
convenient position for the size of the block.
NB: The knife block clamp lever must be firmly locked during sectioning to prevent instability.
1.2.4 KNIFE CARRIAGE FEED CONTROL
The knife carriage feed control FIG 1(4) on the centre front of the microtome moves the knife holder backwards or
forwards once the knife lock clamp lever FIG 2(9) has been raised. This device permits incremented movements of the
knife holder, for example, for trimming a specimen.
1.2.4a FINE TRIM ADJUSTER / FTA (if fitted)
Works exactly the same as the knife carriage feed control
1.2.5 BLADE ANGLE
Release the blade angle locking lever FIG 2(2) and taking the body of the blade holder in both hands, move it against the
lower part of the assembly until the correct angle is shown on the blade angle indicator (3). Then re-lock the blade holder
body with the blade angle locking lever. Nominally this angle should be set to 3º.
1.2.6 BLADE LOADING
a. Move the blade guard to the lower position using the blade guard knob FIG 2(7).
b. Unlock the blade clamping plate FIG 2(8) using the blade clamp lever FIG 2(1).
c. Push the blade loading plate FIG 2 (5) to one side and very carefully place a new blade into position making sure that
the blade is the correct way up.
d. Slide the blade loading plate back to the centre of the assembly and use the blade clamp lever to lock the blade into
position. Please note that as the blade wears it is possible to slide it to a new position by repeating this process and by
doing this it is possible to utilise the whole length of the blade.
1.2.7 SPECIMEN HOLDERS
318 Quick Release Holder for wax cassettes
The microtome is normally supplied with an orientating specimen holder with a specimen vice
Alternatively, a cassette quick release holder may be fitted. To exchange specimen holders, simply
unscrew the holder supplied from the orientating head.
Some versions of the microtome are supplied with a fixed (non-orientating) specimen vice. In this case
a cassette quick release holder can be clamped into this vice.
Other types of specimen holders are available.
FTA (Cryostat
version)
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