Possible Faults - Leica RM2245 Instruction Manual

7.2 Possible faults

Problem
1. Thick/thin sections
The sections alternate between
being thick and thin. In extreme
cases, there are no sections
whatsoever.
2. Section compression
The sections are very com-
pressed, show folds or are
squeezed together.
3. "Stripes" in sections
For knife holder E
4. Noises during sectioning
The knife "sings" when section-
ing hard specimens. The sec-
tions show scratches or chatter
marks.
5. High blade consumption
Leica RM2245
Possible cause
• Insufficient clamping of blade,
knife holder, specimen or orien-
tation.
• The blade is dull.
• The pressure plate is damaged
or incorrectly adjusted.
• Clearance angle of the knife/
blade too small.
• The blade is dull.
• The specimen is too warm.
• The sectioning speed is too fast.
• There is an accumulation of
paraffin on the rear pressure
plate of the knife holder.
• The sectioning speed is too fast.
• The clearance angle is too wide.
• Insufficient clamping of speci-
men clamp and/or knife holder.
• Too great of a sectioning force
was applied.
7. Troubleshooting
Corrective action
• Check the clamping positions
and repeat the clamping proc-
ess
• Laterally displace the knife hold-
er or insert a new blade.
• Insert a new pressure plate or
use a new knife holder.
• Methodically experiment with
larger clearance angle settings
until you have found the opti-
mum angle.
• Use another area of the blade or
a new blade.
• Cool the specimen before
sectioning.
• Reduce the sectioning speed.
• Remove paraffin from this area
on a regular basis.
• Select a slower sectioning
speed.
• Methodically reduce the clear-
ance angle setting until you
have found the optimum angle.
• Check all screw and clamp
connections on the specimen
holder system and the knife
holder. If necessary, tighten the
levers and screws.
• Adjust the sectioning speed
and/or section thickness when
sectioning. Select a thinner
section.
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