Leica RM2145 User manual

Instruction Manual
Leica RM 2145 V3.1 English  02/2001
Always keep this man al near the instr ment!
Read caref lly prior to operating the instr ment!
Leica RM 2145
Rotary Microtome

3
Leica RM 2145  Rotary Microtome
1. Important information
Leica Microsystems N ssloch GmbH
Heidelberger Str. 17-19
D-69226 N ssloch
Germany
Telephone: 0 62 24 / 143-0
Telefax: 0 62 24 / 143-200
eMail: h[email protected]
Homepage: http://www.histo-sol tions.com
Serial No. ......................................................................
Year of manufacture ...................................................
Manufactured in: ......Federal Rep blic of Germany
The information, n merical data, notes and val e j dg-
ments contained in this man al represent the c rrent
state of scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art tech-
nology as we nderstand it following thoro gh investi-
gation in this field. We are nder no obligation to p-
date the present man al periodically and on an ongo-
ing basis according to the latest technical develop-
ments, nor to provide o r c stomers with additional
copies, pdates etc. of this man al.
For erroneo s statements, drawings, technical ill s-
trations etc. contained in this man al we excl de li-
ability as far as permissible according to the national
legal system applicable in each individ al case. In par-
tic lar, no liability whatsoever is accepted for any fi-
nancial loss or conseq ential damage ca sed by or
related to compliance with statements or other infor-
mation in this man al.
Statements, drawings, ill strations and other informa-
tion as regards contents or technical details of the
present man al are not to be considered as warranted
characteristics of o r prod cts. These are determined
only by the contract provisions agreed between o r-
selves and o r c stomers.
Leica reserves the right to change technical specifi-
cations as well as man fact ring processes witho t
prior notice. Only in this way is it possible to contin -
o sly improve the technology and man fact ring tech-
niq es sed in o r prod cts.
This doc ment is protected nder copyright laws. Any
copyrights of this doc ment are retained by Leica
Microsystems N ssloch GmbH.
Any reprod ction of text and ill strations (or of any
parts thereof) by means of print, photocopy, microfiche,
web cam or other methods  incl ding any electronic
systems and media  req ires express prior permis-
sion in writing by Leica Microsystems N ssloch GmbH.
For the instr ment serial n mber and year of man -
fact re, please refer to the name plate at the back of
the instr ment.
© Leica Microsystems N ssloch GmbH

4Instruction manual V3.1  02/2001
2. Table of contents
1. Important information..................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Table of contents............................................................................................................................................. 4
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument ....................................................................................... 5
4. Technical data ................................................................................................................................................. 9
5. General description ...................................................................................................................................... 1
5.1 Product description ................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.2 Standard delivery ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.3 Leica RM 2145 - overall view of t e instrument................................................................................................... 11
6. Unpacking and installation ......................................................................................................................... 12
6.1 Unpacking.................................................................................................................................................................. 12
6.2 Assembling t e andw eel .................................................................................................................................... 14
6.3 Site requirements ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
7. Setting up the instrument ............................................................................................................................ 15
7.1 Connecting to mains ................................................................................................................................................ 15
7.2 Installing t e arm rests ............................................................................................................................................ 18
7.3 Switc ing on t e instrument................................................................................................................................... 18
7.4 Control panel functions ........................................................................................................................................... 19
8. Daily routine operation ................................................................................................................................ 29
8.1 Inserting t e specimen clamp ................................................................................................................................ 29
8.2 Assembling t e specimen clamp directly to t e fixture for specimen clamps............................................... 29
8.3 Clamping t e specimen ........................................................................................................................................... 30
8.4 Installing t e knife older base .............................................................................................................................. 30
8.5 Installing t e knife older........................................................................................................................................ 30
8.6 Inserting t e knife or disposable blade ................................................................................................................ 31
8.7 Adjusting t e clearance angle ............................................................................................................................... 31
8.8 Orienting t e specimen (only wit orienting specimen clamp fixture) ............................................................ 32
8.9 Trimming .................................................................................................................................................................... 33
8.10 Sectioning.................................................................................................................................................................. 33
8.11 C anging specimens and/or pausing.................................................................................................................... 34
8.12 Finis ing daily routine .............................................................................................................................................. 34
9. Trouble shooting ........................................................................................................................................... 35
9.1 Instrument malfunctions ......................................................................................................................................... 35
9.2 Potential sources of errors - elimination .............................................................................................................. 36
9.3 Malfunctions - sources and elimination ............................................................................................................... 37
1 . Cleaning .......................................................................................................................................................... 38
11. Maintenance .................................................................................................................................................. 39
11.1 General maintenance instructions ........................................................................................................................ 39
11.2 Adjusting t e spring lever system ......................................................................................................................... 40
11.3 Replacing t e fuses ................................................................................................................................................. 41
12. Optional accessories ................................................................................................................................... 42
12.1 Specimen clamps and olders ............................................................................................................................... 42
12.3 Knife olders ............................................................................................................................................................. 48
12.4 Section waste tray ................................................................................................................................................... 53
12.5 Combined carrier wit magnifier and illumination .............................................................................................. 54
12.6 Microscope carrier .................................................................................................................................................. 57
12.7 Hand rest.................................................................................................................................................................... 59
12.8 Exc anging t e fixture for specimen clamps ...................................................................................................... 62
13. Appendix ......................................................................................................................................................... 63
13.1 Ordering information ................................................................................................................................................ 63
Product c anges ...................................................................................................................................................... 65
Warranty .................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Disposal...................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Tec nical service information................................................................................................................................ 65

5
Leica RM 2145  Rotary Microtome
3.1 Safety devices
The safety devices on the instrument must
neither be removed nor modified in any way!
The instr ment is eq ipped with the following safety
devices: q ick locking system for the handwheel and
knife g ard on the knife holder.
3.1.1 Activating the quick locking system of the
handwheel
Before manipulating knife or specimen or
changing the specimen and during breaks:
always lock the handwheel and cover the
knife edge with the knife guard!
The handwheel can be locked in any position with the
locking lever (1) on the right side of the microtome base
plate. The two locking positions of the lever (● =locked;
❍ = released) are marked on the microtome base plate
(Fig. 5.1)
.
Performance check
 To activate, p ll the locking lever (1) to the front (●).
The handwheel is mechanically blocked and cannot
be t rned.
 To deactivate, p sh the locking lever (1) to the rear
(❍).
The handwheel can then be rotated again.
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
1
Fig. 5.1

6Instruction manual V3.1  02/2001
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
1
2
2
Fig. 6.1
1
Fig. 6.2
3.1.2 Knife guard on the knife holder
Before manipulating knife or specimen be-
fore changing specimens and during breaks:
always lock the handwheel and cover the
knife edge with the knife guard!
All knife holders are eq ipped with a permanent, mov-
able knife g ard (1) which allows to cover the entire
c tting edge with the knife clamped in any position.
nife holders N
The knife g ard of knife holder N (Fig. 6.1) has two
small grips (2) for conveniently moving the knife g ard
rails.
To cover the knife edge, p sh both halves of the knife
g ard to the center.
nife-holder E
Knife holder E (Fig. 6.2) is eq ipped with a tilting
shackle (1) which f nctions as a knife g ard.
To cover the knife edge, tilt the shackle (1) pwards.

7
Leica RM 2145  Rotary Microtome
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
Transport and installation
 Please pay careful attention to chapter 4 -
Technical data!
 The instrument may only be transported
upright!
 Caution: The voltage selector is preset in
the factory.
Before connecting the instrument to the
mains power, please check whether the
factory setting is identical with the local
mains power in your lab!
The mains cable inlet is sealed with an
adhesive tape that indicates the factory
setting the instrument comes with.
 Severe damage may be caused to the in-
strument when operating it at an incorrect
voltage setting.
 Do not change the voltage selector setting,
with the instrument being connected to the
mains.
 The instrument may only be connected to
a grounded mains power outlet socket. To
connect the instrument only use one of the
mains cables that are supplied together
with the instrument!
 In case of exposure to extreme tempera-
ture changes and high air humidity con-
densation may form inside the instrument.
If that type of exposure has taken place,
make sure to wait at least 2 hours before
switching on the instrument to allow it to
adapt to the local ambient temperature.
Failure to allow for the required waiting
time may cause severe damage to the in-
strument!
 Do not operate the instrument in rooms
with explosion hazard!
 The safety devices on the instrument must
neither be removed nor modified in any
way!
Operating the instrument
 Be extremely careful when handling mi-
crotome knives and or disposable blades!
The cutting edges are extremely sharp and
can cause severe injury!
 Never leave knives or knife holders with a
knife disposable blade inserted some-
place unprotected! Always store knives in
their knife case when not in use!
 Never place a knife anywhere with the cut-
ting edge facing upwards!
 Never try to catch a falling knife!
 Always clamp the specimen before clamp-
ing the knife!
 Before manipulating knife or specimen
before changing specimens and during
breaks: always lock the handwheel and
cover the knife edge with the knife guard!
 Never attempt to orient the specimen while
the instrument is in the retraction phase
(i.e. while the yellow RETRACT indication
is illuminated)!
Prior to the next section, the specimen will
advance by the retraction value plus the
selected section thickness! There is dan-
ger that specimen and knife will be dam-
aged.
 Always wear safety goggles when sec-
tioning brittle specimens! - Risk of splin-
tering!
 Make sure that no liquids get into the inte-
rior of the instrument during work!

8Instruction manual V3.1  02/2001
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
Cleaning
 Before cleaning, lock the handwheel,
switch the instrument off and pull the
mains plug!
 Only use mild household cleaners soap
for cleaning. The varnish paint coat of the
instrument is not resistant to acetone or
xylene!
 Make sure that no liquids get into the inte-
rior of the instrument while cleaning!
 After cleaning wait for the instrument to
be completely dry before switching it back
on!
Maintenance
 Only authorized Leica service engineers
may open the instrument for maintenance
and repair work!
 Before exchanging the fuses, switch the
instrument off and pull the mains plug!
 When exchanging fuses, only use replace-
ment fuses with the same specification as
the original ones. - Refer to chapter 4
Technical data for the correct specifica-
tions.
Optional accessories
Combined carrier with magnifier and illumination
 Do not operate the magnifier illumination
carrier at a mains power other than the one
specified on the name plate at the rear of
the carrier.
 Do not expose the magnifier glass to di-
rect sunlight! Direct sunlight may cause a
burning glass effect. - Fire hazard!
 Before exchanging the lamp, switch it off
with the mains switch and pull the mains
plug of the carrier!
 Only use replacement lamps of the same
specification as the original lamp.
 Before exchanging the carrier fuses,
switch off the lamp with the mains switch
and pull the mains plug of the carrier!
 Only use replacement fuses with the same
specification as the original ones, inserted
at works!

9
Leica RM 2145  Rotary Microtome
4. Technical data
Type RM 2145
Admissions UL, cUL
Nominal supply voltages 100 / 120 / 230 / 240 V AC ±10%
Nominal frequency 50/60 Hz
Maximum power draw 70 VA
Protective class ÀI
Mains fuses 2 x T 1,0 A
UL-listed
Pollution degree 2
Overvoltage installation category II
Maximum eat emission À70 J/s
Working temperature range +10 °C to +35 °C
Relative umidity 80%, non-condensing
À according to IEC-1010, UL 3101, EN 61010
Dimensions and weight
Main instrument
Widt (including andw eel) 370 mm
Widt (w/o andw eel) 300 mm
Dept 550 mm
Heig t (overall) 285 mm
Working eig t (level of knife edge) 100 mm
Weig t (w/o accessories) 38 kg
Control panel
Widt 140 mm
Dept 240 mm
Heig t 95 mm
Heig t (in inclined position) 125 mm
Weig t (net) 2.4 kg
Microtome
Type RM 2145 rotary microtome
Sectioning t ickness setting 0.25 - 60 µm
0.25 µm, 0.5 µm, 1 µm, 1.5 µm;
2 - 20 µm in 1 µm increments
20 - 60 µm in 5 µm increments
Total orizontal specimen feed 27 mm ±1 mm
via step motor
Vertical specimen stroke 70 mm
maximum sectioning area, w/o retraction 65 mm, wit out specimen orientation
maximum sectioning area, wit retraction 60 mm
Specimen retraction 0 - 100 µm, in 5 µm increments
can be switc ed off
Motorized coarse feed 300 µm/s and 900 µm/s
Repositioning of knife older base
nort / sout ±25 mm
lateral ±20 mm
Maximum specimen size (W x H x D) 50 x 60 x 40 mm
Specimen orientation
orizontal 8°
vertical 8°
rotation ±90°

10 Instruction manual V3.1  02/2001
5. General description
5.1 Product description
The Leica RM 2145 is a semi-motorized rotary micro-
tome.
The specimen feed system with zero-backlash and
maintenance-free cross roller g ides and the step
motor operated coarse feed system are located in a
d stproof plastic ho sing. Sectioning is performed by
man ally rotating the extremely smooth-r nning
handwheel. The handwheel is lockable in any position
via a mechanical q ick locking system.
All settings, LED indications and control f nctions are
centralized in a separate control panel. Control b ttons
and indications are logically arranged in f nctional
gro ps.
The specimen retraction can be set in different thick-
nesses and can also be entirely switched off. The re-
traction phase is vis ally indicated.
The motorized coarse feed operates at two speeds. In
the trimming mode, the coarse feed b ttons have a
TRIM-STEP f nction.
The instr ment offers two different man al sectioning
modes: conventional sectioning by complete
handwheel rotations and sectioning in the Rocking
Mode, where the handwheel only needs to be moved
back and forth over a small distance in each direction.
The instr ment also has a n mber of special f nctions,
s ch as the programmable horizontal specimen stop-
f nction, and the sectioning and trimming program.
The plastic grips of all clamping levers can
be repositioned according to individual user
preference.
To reposition, pull out the grip of the lever, hold
it firmly in the pulled-out position and turn it
to the desired position. When releasing it, it
will lock automatically in the new position.
5.2 Standard delivery
The Leica RM 2145 basic instr ment is delivered with-
o t accessories in the following config ration:
- 1 fixt re for specimen clamps, orienting,
- 1 arm rest - right,
1 arm rest - left,
- 1 maintenance kit, consisting of:
1 Allen key, size 5,
1 Allen key, size 4,
1 Allen key, size 3,
2 screwdrivers,
1 bottle of microtome oil, no. 405, 50 ml,
1 d st cover,
- 1 set of replacement f ses,
- 1 set of mains cables,
- 1 separate control panel,
- 1 instr ction man al.
Yo will find these, and any f rther accessories yo
may have ordered, packed in a cardboard box located
on top of the instr ment.
Compare the act ally delivered components with the
parts list and yo r order.
If there are any discrepancies, please contact yo r
Leica sales office immediately.