Leica CM3050 S instruction manual Potential problems causes and remedies Problem Causes, Remedies

6. Troubleshooting, applications tips

6.2 Potential problems - causes and remedies

Problem Causes Remedies

Frost on chamber walls and microtome

-Cryostat is exposed to draft (open windows, doors, air- conditioning).

-Sliding window has been open for a long period of time at a very low chamber temperature.

-Frost build-up caused by breathing into the cryocham- ber.

-Eliminate draft sources or change place of installation of the cryostat.

-Close sliding window.

-Consider wearing a mask.

Sections smear	-	Specimen not cold enough.	-	Select lower temperature.
	-	Knife and/or anti-roll plate not	-	Wait until knife and/or anti-roll
		yet cold enough - sections		plate have reached chamber
		melt.		temperature.
Sections splinter	-	Specimen too cold.	-	Select higher temperature.
Sections not properly flattened	-	Static electricity / draft.	-	Eliminate cause.
	-	Specimen not cold enough.	-	Select lower temperature.
	-	Large surface specimen.	-	Trim specimen parallel; in-
				crease section thickness.
	-	Anti-roll plate poorly adjusted.	-	Readjust anti-roll plate.
	-	Anti-roll plate poorly aligned	-	Align correctly.
		relative to knife edge.
	-	Wrong clearance angle	-	Set correct clearance angle.
		selected.
	-	Knife blunt or damaged.	-	Use different part of knife or
				replace knife.
Sections not properly flattened	-	Knife and/or anti-roll plate dirty.	-	Clean with dry cloth or brush.
despite correct temperature	-	Edge of anti-roll plate dam-
and correctly aligned anti-roll		aged.	-	Replace anti-roll plate.
plate	-	Blunt knife.
			-	Use different part of knife or
				replace knife.

48 Instruction Manual V1.1 02/2000