Leica CM1950 Manuel D’Utilisation

48

Operating Manual V1.1 – 05/2007

Problem

Causes

Remedies

Frost on chamber walls and
microtome

Sections smear

Sections splinter

Sections not properly
flattened

Sections not properly
flattened despite correct
temperature and correctly
aligned anti-roll plate

Sections curl on anti-roll
plate

Scraping noise during
sectioning and specimen
return movement

Cryostat is exposed to air currents
(open windows and doors, air
conditioning).
Frost built-up by breathing into the
cryochamber.

Specimen not cold enough.
Anti-roll plate not yet cold enough,
thus warming the section.

Specimen too cold.

Static electricity/air currents.
Specimen not cold enough.
Large area specimen.

Anti-roll plate poorly positioned.
Anti-roll plate poorly aligned with knife
edge.
Incorrect clearance angle.
Blunt knife.

Dirt on knife and/or anti-roll plate.
Edge of anti-roll plate damaged.
Blunt knife.

Anti-roll plate does not protrude far
enough beyond the knife edge.

Anti-roll plate protrudes too far beyond
the knife edge and is scraping against
the specimen.

Change place of installation for the
cryostat.

Wear mouth protection.

Select lower temperature.
Wait until knife and/or anti-roll
plate have reached chamber
temperature.

Select higher temperature.

Remove cause.
Select lower temperature.
Trim the specimen parallel,
increase section thickness.
Reposition anti-roll plate.
Align correctly.

Set correct angle.
Use different part of the knife.

Clean with dry cloth or brush.
Replace anti-roll plate.
Use different part of the knife.

Readjust correctly.

Readjust correctly.

9.

Troubleshooting

9.1

Problems During Work