Leica RM2125 User manual

Leica RM2125/
Leica RM2125RT
Rotary microtome
Instruction manual
Leica RM2125 / RM2125RT
V2.3 English - 02/2009
Always keep this manual together with the instrument.
Read carefully before working with the instrument.

3
Leica RM2125
NOTE
The information, numerical data, notes and val-
ue judgments contained in this manual repre-
sent the current state of scientific knowledge
and state-of-the-art technology as we under-
stand it following thorough investigation in this
field.
We are under no obligation to update the
present manual according to the latest techni-
cal developments, nor to provide our customers
with additional copies, updates etc. of this man-
ual.
For erroneous statements, drawings, technical
illustrations etc. contained in this manual we
exclude liability as far as permissible according
to the national legal system applicable in each
individual case. In particular, no liability what-
soever is accepted for any financial loss or con-
sequential damage caused by or related to
compliance with statements or other informa-
tion in this manual.
Statements, drawings, illustrations and other in-
formation as regards contents or technical de-
tails of the present manual are not to be consid-
ered as warranted characteristics of our
products.
These are determined only by the contract pro-
visions agreed between ourselves and our cus-
tomers.
Leica reserves the right to change technical
specifications as well as manufacturing pro-
cesses without prior notice. Only in this way is it
possible to continuously improve the technolo-
gy and manufacturing techniques used in our
products.
This document is protected under copyright
laws. Any copyrights of this document are re-
tained by Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH.
Any reproduction of text and illustrations (or of
any parts thereof) by means of print, photocopy,
microfiche, web cam or other methods – includ-
ing any electronic systems and media – re-
quires express prior permission in writing by Le-
ica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH.
For the instrument serial number and year of
manufacture, please refer to the name plate at
the back of the instrument.
© Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
Published by:
Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
Heidelberger Str. 17 - 19
D-69226 Nussloch
Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Internet: http://www.histo-solutions.com

4Instruction manual V 2.3 – 02/2009
Table of contents
1. Important notes .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Symbols in the text and their meaning ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Qualification of personnel ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Designated use ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Instrument type ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. Safety ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Safety instructions ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Warnings .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Integrated safety devices ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Instrument components and specifications .................................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Overview - instrument components .......................................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Instrument specifications ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Technical data .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
4. Setup .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Installation site requirements .................................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 Standard delivery ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.3 Unpacking andinstallation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.4 Inserting the specimen clamp .................................................................................................................................................................... 15
4.5 Fastening the specimen clamp directly to the fixture ............................................................................................................................ 16
4.6 Mounting the knife holder base ................................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.7 Mounting the knife holder ........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
5. Operation ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
5.1 Clamping the specimen ............................................................................................................................................................................... 18
5.2 Inserting the knife / disposable blade ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
5.3 Adjusting the clearance angle ................................................................................................................................................................... 19
5.4 Orienting the specimen (possible only with orienting fixture for specimen clamps) ...................................................................... 20
5.5 Trimming the specimen ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21
5.6 Sectioning ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.7 Changing specimen ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
5.8 Accessories ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.8.1 Standard specimen clamp .......................................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.8.2 Vee insert ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
5.8.3 Foil clamp type 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
5.8.4 Foil clamp type 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
5.8.5 Universal cassette clamp ............................................................................................................................................................................ 26
5.8.6 Holder for round specimens ....................................................................................................................................................................... 27
5.8.7 Knife holder base .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
5.8.8 Knife holder N ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.8.9 Knifeholder E ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.8.10 Overview - accessories ............................................................................................................................................................................... 33
5.9 Optional accessories (ordering information) .......................................................................................................................................... 34
6. Cleaning and maintenance ............................................................................................................................................................. 35
6.1 Cleaning the instrument .............................................................................................................................................................................. 35
6.2 Maintenance instructions ........................................................................................................................................................................... 37
7. Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................................................. 38
7.1 Possible errors .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 38
7.2 Malfunction ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
8. Warranty and service ....................................................................................................................................................................... 39
EC Declaration of Conformity ........................................................................................................................................................... 40

5
Leica RM2125
Notes, i.e. important user information
appear in a gray box and are marked
by an information symbol .
Dangers, warnings and cautions ap-
pear in a grey box and are marked by
a warning triangle .
1.1 Symbols in the text and their meaning
1. Important notes
(5)
1.3 Designated use
The Leica RM2125 / Leica RM2125RT are manu-
ally operated rotary microtomes, used to pro-
duce thin sections of specimens of different
hardness in both routine and research applica-
tions in biology, medicine and industry.
They are designed to section soft materials em-
bedded in paraffin as well as harder specimens,
provided those specimens are still suitable for
manual sectioning.
Any other use of the instrument is considered
improper!
1.4 Instrument type
All information provided in this manual applies
only to the instrument type indicated on the cov-
er page.
A name plate indicating the instrument serial
number is attached to the back of the instru-
ment.
Fig. 1
1.2 Qualification of personnel
• The Leica RM 2125 may be operated only by
trained laboratory personnel.
• All laboratory personnel designated to oper-
ate the Leica RM2125 must read this instruc-
tion manual carefully and must be familiar
with all technical features of the instrument
before attempting to operate the Leica
RM2125.
Figures in brackets refer to item num-
bers in drawings.

6Instruction manual V 2.3 – 02/2009
Be sure to comply with the safety instructions and warnings in this chapter. Be sure to read
these instructions, even if you are already familiar with the operation and use of other Leica
products.
2. Safety
2.1 Safety instructions
This instruction manual contains important in-
structions and information regarding the opera-
tional safety and maintenance of the instrument.
The instruction manual is an important part of
the product, which must be read carefully prior
to setup and use and must always be kept near
the instrument.
.
If additional requirements on accident
prevention and environmental protec-
tion exist in the country of operation,
this instruction manual must be
supplemented by appropriate instruc-
tions to ensure compliance with such
requirements.
This instrument was built and tested in accor-
dance with machinery directive
98/37/EC and the safety regulations for laborato-
ry devices as specified below:
The latest information on the standards applied
can be found in the CE declaration of conformity
on the Internet under:
www. histo-solutions.com
The protective devices on both instrument and accessories may neither be removed nor modi-
fied. Only authorized and qualified service personnel may repair the instrument and access the
instrument’s internal components.
2.2 Warnings
The safety devices installed in this instrument by the manufacturer only constitute the basis for ac-
cident prevention.
Primarily responsible for accident-free operation is above all the institution which owns the instru-
ment and, in addition, the designated personnel who operates, services or cleans the instrument.
To ensure trouble-free operation of the instrument, make sure to comply with the following instruc-
tions and warnings.
In order to maintain this condition and ensure
safe operation, the operator must observe all
the instructions and warnings contained in this
instruction manual.

7
Leica RM2125
2. Safety
Warnings - safety instructions / warning labels attached to the instrument
• Safety instruction labels on the instrument marked with a warning triangle indicate that the
correct operating instructions (as described in this manual) must be followed when operating
or replacing the instrument component bearing the label.
Failure to adhere to these instructions may result in an accident, personal injury, damage to
the instrument or accessory equipment.
Warnings - Transport and installation
• Once uncrated, the instrument may only be transported in an upright position.
• For transport, do not grab the instrument neither by the handles of the handwheel or coarse
feed wheel nor by the section thickness adjusting knob.
• The protective devices on both instrument and accessories must neither be removed nor modi-
fied.
.
Warning - Operating the instrument
• Be very careful when handling microtome knives or blades. The knife or blade edges are ex-
tremely sharp and can cause severe injuries!
• Always remove the knife / blade before detaching the knife holder from the instrument. Knives
that are not in use should always be stored in the knife case!
• Never place a knife anywhere with the cutting edge facing upwards and never try to catch a
falling knife!
• Always clamp the specimen block BEFORE clamping the knife.
• Lock the handwheel and cover the knife edge with the knife guard prior to any manipulation of
knife or specimen, prior to changing the specimen block and during all work breaks!
• Always wear safety goggles when sectioning brittle specimens! Specimen may splinter!
• No fluid must enter the interior of the instrument during work!
• Leica RM2125 RT only:
Specimen blocks must not be oriented during the retraction phase.
If a block is oriented during retraction, prior to the next section the block will advance by the
retraction value PLUS the selected section thickness. This may cause damage to both speci-
men and knife!

8Instruction manual V 2.3 – 02/2009
Warnings - cleaning and maintenance
• Only authorized and qualified service personnel may repair the instrument and access the
instrument’s internal components.
• Lock the handwheel before you starting to clean the instrument!
• Do not use any solvents containing acetone or xylene for cleaning!
• No fluid must enter the interior of the instrument during cleaning!
• When using cleaners, comply with the safety instructions of the manufacturer and the labor-
safety regulations of your laboratory!
2.3 Integrated safety devices
The instrument is equipped with the following protection features:
2. Safety
Handwheel locking mechanism
The handwheel (15) can be locked in the 12-
o’clock position (Fig. 2).
When pushing the handwheel handle (1) in-
wards (to the left), the handwheel will lock in
place when next reaching the 12-o’clock posi-
tion.
Function check:
• To activate the locking mechanism, push the
handle (1) to the left. The handwheel locks in
place in the 12 o’clock position and cannot
be rotated any further.
• To unlock the handwheel, pull the handle (1)
outwards (to the right).
Handwheel brake
With the lever (2) on the right side of the micro-
tome base plate, the handwheel brake can be
activated with the handle in any position. When
the lever is pushed upward, the handwheel is
locked in position. Two symbols on the micro-
tome base plate indicate the ‘locked’ and ‘un-
locked’ position (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2
1
2
Lever in position = handwheel locked
Lever in position = handwheel released
15

9
Leica RM2125
Knife guard on the knife holder
All knife holders are equipped with a permanent knife guard (3, 5) capable
of covering the entire length of the knife / blade edge in any position.
Lock the handwheel and cover the knife edge with the knife guard
prior to any manipulation of knife or specimen, prior to changing
the specimen block and during all work breaks!
2. Safety
Knife holder N
The knife guard (3) of the knife holder N can be
easily positioned via the two buttons (4) (Fig. 3).
To cover the knife edge, push both cover strips
of the knife guard to the center.
Knife holder E
The knife guard of the knife holder E consists of
a hinged shackle (5).
To cover the edge, turn the shackle (5) upwards
as shown in Fig. 4.
4
4
3
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
5
5

10 Instruction manual V 2.3 – 02/2009
3.1 Overview - instrument components
3. Instrument components and specifications
Control knob
for section
thickness setting
Leica RM2125
Section
thickness
indication
Fixture for specimen
clamps, non-orientable
Clamping lever for
knife holder base
Smooth-turning
handwheel
Lever for activating
the handwheel
brake
Handwheel
handle with
locking
mechanism
Lever for activating
the mechanical
trimming function
Orientable fixture for
specimen clamps
Coarse feed
wheel
Leica RM2125 RT
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Knife holder E
Knife holder N
Knife holder base
with lateral
displacement
feature
Knife holder base,
without lateral
displacement feature
Clamping lever for
lateral displacement
function of knife
holder
Universal
Cassette clamp