Leica RM2155 User manual

Instruction Manual
Leica RM 2155 V1.1 English  11/2000
Always keep this manual near the instrument
Read carefully prior to operating the instrument
Leica RM 2155
Rotary Microtome

3Leica RM 2155  Rotary Microtome
1. Important information
Serial No. .....................................................................
Year of manufacture: .................................................
Manufactured in: .... Federal Republic of Germany
Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
Heidelberger Str. 17-19
D-69226 Nussloch
Germany
Telephone: 0 62 24 / 143-0
Telefax: 0 62 24 / 1 43-200
eMail: h[email protected]
Homepage: http://www.histo-solutions.com
http://www.materials-sectioning.com
The information, numerical data, notes and value judg-
ments contained in this manual represent the current
state of scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art tech-
nology as we understand it following thorough investi-
gation in this field. We are under no obligation to up-
date the present manual periodically and on an ongo-
ing basis according to the latest technical develop-
ments, nor to provide our customers with additional
copies, updates etc. of this manual.
For erroneous statements, drawings, technical illus-
trations etc. contained in this manual we exclude li-
ability as far as permissible according to the national
legal system applicable in each individual case. In par-
ticular, no liability whatsoever is accepted for any fi-
nancial loss or consequential damage caused by or
related to compliance with statements or other infor-
mation in this manual.
Statements, drawings, illustrations and other informa-
tion as regards contents or technical details of the
present manual are not to be considered as warranted
characteristics of our products. These are determined
only by the contract provisions agreed between our-
selves and our customers.
Leica reserves the right to change technical specifi-
cations as well as manufacturing processes without
prior notice. Only in this way is it possible to continu-
ously improve the technology and manufacturing tech-
niques used in our products.
This document is protected under copyright laws. Any
copyrights of this document are retained by Leica
Microsystems Nussloch GmbH.
Any reproduction of text and illustrations (or of any
parts thereof) by means of print, photocopy, microfiche,
web cam or other methods  including any electronic
systems and media  requires express prior permis-
sion in writing by Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH.
For the instrument serial number and year of manu-
facture, please refer to the name plate at the back of
the instrument.
© Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH

4Instruction Manual V1.1  01/2001
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.......................................................................................................................... 11
5.1 Leica RM 2155 - Overview................................................................................................................................11
5.2 General description...........................................................................................................................................12
5.3 Standard delivery ..............................................................................................................................................12
. Unpacking and installation ............................................................................................................ 13
6.1 Unpacking...........................................................................................................................................................13
6.2 Site requirements ..............................................................................................................................................14
7. Setup.................................................................................................................................................... 15
7.1 Mounting the accessories ...............................................................................................................................15
7.2 Connection of foot switch and mains cable ..................................................................................................16
7.3 Connection to mains power .............................................................................................................................17
7.4 Power on.............................................................................................................................................................18
8. Operation ............................................................................................................................................ 19
8.1 Control panel ......................................................................................................................................................19
8.2 Switches and controls ......................................................................................................................................21
9. Orienting specimen clamping system .......................................................................................... 2
9.1 Mounting the specimen clamp........................................................................................................................26
9.2 Orienting the specimen ....................................................................................................................................26
10. Universal knife holder base............................................................................................................ 27
10.1 Repositioning the knife holder base ...............................................................................................................27
10.2 Mounting the knife holder ................................................................................................................................28
10.3 Adjusting the clearance angle ........................................................................................................................28
11. Daily operation .................................................................................................................................. 29
12. Trouble shooting ............................................................................................................................... 30
12.1 Operator and instrument errors ......................................................................................................................30
12.2 Problems, possible causes and corrective action .......................................................................................32
12.3 Instrument errors, possible causes and corrective action ........................................................................33
13. Cleaning ............................................................................................................................................. 35
14. Maintenance...................................................................................................................................... 3
14.1 General maintenance .......................................................................................................................................36
14.2 Changing the setting of the voltage selector ................................................................................................37
14.3 Replacement of the fuses ................................................................................................................................38
15. Accessories ....................................................................................................................................... 39
15.1 Non-orienting specimen clamping system....................................................................................................39
15.2 Specimen clamps ..............................................................................................................................................40
15.3 Knife holder base without lateral displacement ...........................................................................................44
15.4 Mounting the backlighting ...............................................................................................................................44
15.5 Knife holders ......................................................................................................................................................45
15.6 External control panel.......................................................................................................................................50
1 . Ordering information ........................................................................................................................ 51
17. Appendix ............................................................................................................................................ 52
Product changes ...............................................................................................................................................52
Warranty .............................................................................................................................................................52
Disposal...............................................................................................................................................................52
Technical service information.........................................................................................................................52

5Leica RM 2155  Rotary Microtome
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
3.1 Safety devices
The instrument incorporates the following safety de-
vices: safety handwheel, emergency-stop switch, pro-
tective guard on the foot switch and knife guard on
the knife holder.
The consistent use of these safety features and strict
observation of the warnings and cautions in this
manual, will safeguard the operator from accidents
and/or personal injury to a great extent.
3.1.1 Emergency-stop switch
The instrument is provided with an emergency stop.
The emergency-stop function is activated with the red
emergency-stop switch on the front of the instrument
(Fig. 5.1) or with the foot switch .
Performance check
 Push the emergency-stop switch.
The sectioning motor will stop immediately.
E-STOP (red) on the control panel illuminates indicat-
ing that the emergency-stop function is activated.
 To deactivate, turn the red emergency-stop switch
in the direction of the arrow.
E-STOP (red) on the control panel extinguishes.
3.1.2 Foot switch with protective guard
The sectioning motor is started with the foot switch.
The foot switch is provided with a protective guard to
prevent unintended activation.
In addition, the foot switch incorporates a function simi-
lar to the emergency-stop function.
Performance check
 Firmly press the foot switch.
The sectioning motor stops immediately upon activa-
tion of the emergency-stop function.
E-STOP (red) on the control panel illuminates as long
as the foot switch is held down.
The safety devices on the instrument and ac-
cessory equipment must not be removed or
modified!
Fig. 5.2
Fig. 5.1

6Instruction Manual V1.1  01/2001
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
3.1.4 Safety handwheel
ctivation of the handwheel brake
Always lock the handwheel prior to manipu-
latin the knife and specimen or before chan -
in the specimen or knife!
The handwheel can be locked in any position using the
locking lever (1) on the right side of the microtome base
plate.
Performance check
 To activate the brake, pull the locking lever (1) fully
to the front.
The sectioning motor is then electronically and me-
chanically blocked.
LOCK (yellow) on the control panel (Fig. 19) illuminates.
 To release the brake, push the locking lever (1) to
the rear.
LOCK extinguishes.
The sectioning motor can then be activated again.
Centering the handle
The handle must always be centered in mo-
torized operation to prevent injury by the re-
volvin handle (Fi . 6.3).
 Activate the handwheel brake.
 To center, lightly pull the handle (1) out (Fig. 6.2)
and rotate it to the center of the handwheel (Fig.
6.3).
 The handle will lock when released.
Knife guard on the knife holder
Prior to manipulatin the knife and specimen,
or chan in the specimen or knife, and dur-
in breaks, always lock cover the cuttin ed e
with the knife uard (1)!
Fig. 6.1
1
1
Fig. 6.3Fig.6.2
Fig. 6.4
1

7Leica RM 2155  Rotary Microtome
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
Transport and installation
 Please refer to chapter 4 - 'Technical data'!
 The instrument must be transported in an
upri ht position!
 Do not carry the instrument with the handle
of the handwheel or the control knobs for
sectionin speed and section thickness
settin !
 Compare if the settin of the volta e se-
lector at the rear of the instrument com-
plies with the power ratin on the name
plate.
Before connectin to the mains power,
check if the local volta e complies with
these specifications!
 Exposure to extreme temperature chan es
and hi h air humidity may cause conden-
sation inside the instrument.
After transportin , please wait at least 2
hours to allow the instrument to adopt the
ambient temperature before turnin it on!
Failure to comply with this may cause dam-
a e to the instrument.
 Do not operate in rooms with explosion
hazard!
 The safety devices on the instrument and
accessory equipment must not be removed
or modified!
perating the instrument
 Take care when handlin microtome
knives and disposable blades. The cuttin
ed e is extremely sharp and can cause
severe injury!
 Never leave knives and knife holders with
a mounted knife or blade lyin around! Al-
ways put the knives back into the knife
case when not in use!
 Do not place a knife on a table with the
cuttin ed e facin upward!
 Never try to catch a fallin knife!
 Always clamp the specimen before the
knife!
 Prior to manipulatin the knife and speci-
men, or chan in the specimen or knife,
and durin breaks, always lock the hand-
wheel and cover the cuttin ed e with the
knife uard!
 Do not attempt to clamp, approach or ori-
ent the specimen in the retraction phase
(while RETRACT illuminates)!
Prior to the subsequent section, a speci-
men advance will take place by the re-
tracted value plus the selected section
thickness.
This involves the risk that the specimen
collides with the knife!
 The handle must always be centered in
motorized operation!
 Always wear protective lasses when
sectionin brittle specimens!
Risk of splinterin !!
 Ensure that liquids do not enter the inte-
rior of the instrument durin work!

8Instruction Manual V1.1  01/2001
3. Safety instructions for handling the instrument
Cleaning
 Before cleanin , activate the handwheel
brake, turn the instrument off and pull the
mains plu !
 Do not use solvents that contain acetone
and xylene!
 Ensure that no liquids enter the interior of
the instrument when cleanin !
 When usin deter ents please comply
with the safety precautions of the manu-
facturer.
 Do not turn the instrument on before it is
completely dry!
Maintenance
 Only authorized and qualified service per-
sonnel may access the internal compo-
nents of the instrument for service and re-
pair!
 Turn the instrument off with the mains
switch and pull the mains plu , before re-
placin the fuses!
 Only use fuses of the same specification!
For the required values, please refer to
chapter 4 - 'Technical data'.
 If the volta e selector is set to an incor-
rect volta e, this can cause severe dam-
a e to the instrument!
 Turn the instrument off with the mains
switch and pull the mains plu , before
chan in the volta e settin !

9Leica RM 2155  Rotary Microtome
4. Technical data
Type RM 2155 RM 2155 RM 2155 RM 2155
Submitted for approval - C-UL VDE VDE
Nominal voltage 100 V AC ±10% 120 V AC ±10% 230 V AC ±10% 240 V AC ±10%
Nominal frequency 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz
Power draw 340 VA 340 VA 340 VA 340 VA
Protective class I I I I
Mains fuses 2 x T 3.2 A 2 x T 3.2 A 2 x T 3.2 A 2 x T 3.2 A
UL listed UL listed UL listed UL listed
Pollution degree 2222
Overvoltage installation category II II II II
Maximum heat emission 340 J/s 340 J/s 340 J/s 340 J/s
 according to IEC-1010, UL 3101, EN 61010
Microtome
Type RM 2155 Rotary microtome
Section thickness setting 0.5 - 60 µm
from 0.5 to 1 µm in 0.5 µm increment
from 1 to 20 µm in 1 µm increments
from 20 to 60 µm in 5 µm increments
Horizontal specimen feed 27 mm
via step motor
Vertical specimen stroke 70 mm
Max. sectioning area without retraction 65 mm without specimen orientation
Max. sectioning area with retraction 60 mm
Specimen retraction
in motorized operation 10, 30, 70 µm, dependent on sectioning speed
can be deactivated
in manual operation 5, 10, 15, 20 µm
can be deactivated
Repositioning of knife holder base
North/south ±25 mm
East/west ±20 mm
Maximum specimen size (W x H x D) 50 x 60 x 40 mm
Specimen orientation
horizontal 8°
vertical 8°
rotation ±90°
Trimming steps 5, 15, 30 µm
Electric coarse feed 900 µm/s
Sectioning motor:
Sectioning speed 0; 0.5 - 420 mm/s
Return speed approx. 120 - 420 mm/s

10 Instruction Manual V1.1  01/2001
4. Technical data
Dimensions and weight
Basic instrument
Width (including handwheel) 400 mm
Width (excluding handwheel) 300 mm
Depth 550 mm
Overall height 290 mm
Working height (knife edge) 100 mm
Net weight 44.2 kg
External control panel (optional accessory)
Width 130 mm
Depth 180 mm
Height 40 mm
Net weight 0.8 kg