Operation Manual

Semi-Automatic Microtome
Model: SAM42

Thanks for using Acculab Semi-Automatic Rotary Microtome , In order to get quick and
sincere service, please read the operation manuals carefully before you operate

Contact us:

3055 Boulevard Saint-Martin O Suite T500, Laval, QC H7T 0J3, Canada

E-mail: [email protected] www.acculabcanada.com

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Please ready this manual book carefully before operator the Computer Microtome
SAM42. And especially pay more attention to Safe Indication in Three chapter and
Warnings in other chapters .
Only eligible use can operate the machine according to the indication in this manual .
This microtome is just for tissue section of histology and pathology.
Only eligible maintenance man and professional worker can maintain the microtome.
Maintenance and service of after-service will be supply by our service department.
Because of the improvement of technical and knowledge ,we have the right to make
improvement of technology upon of this one.
There are specification, publication Date and Registration Number in the nameplate in the
back of machine.

Word explanation:

“ Warning” ---- if violate it , there will be an sever accident and it will hurt the
machine or user badly.

“Attention”--- if violate , the operation will be error and not work continually , even
will be hurt the machine.

“Indication” ---- remain to the best proposal of operation, more detailed explanation of the
function, or more accessories

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 Content
index
1. General description………………………………………………………………………………………..… 3
2. Main technical parameters………………………………………………………….………………….….4
3. Unpacking and installment…………………………………………………….….………………………..4
Installment the microtome ………………………………………………………………………………..4
Requirement for Site…………………………………………………………………………………………4
Installment of waste tray……………………………………………………………………………...……5
Installment of handwheel…………………………………………………………………………….…….5
4. Safe indication of operating the microtome…………………………………....…………………..5
5. Illustration the microtome ……………………………………………………………………..………….7
6. The Specimen Orienting System………………………………………………………………………....8
7. Knife carrier’s Fixing System………………………………………………………………...……………8
Installment of knife carrier ……………………………………………………………………..…………8
Adjust section angle…………………………………………………………………………………….……..9
Knife carrier’s Safe System……………………………………………………………….………………..9
8. Function induction of LCD and control panel…..…………………………………………………10
9. Operation…………………………………………………………………………………………..……………...11
Switch on..…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..11
Fixing the specimen………………………………………………………………………….……………….11
Fixing the knife carrier…………………………………………………………………..………………….11
Fast forward and backward ……………………………………………………….…………………….11
Trimming …………………………………………………………………………………………..……………..11
Section………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..…12
Position of specimen clamp…………………………………………………………………………….…12
Auto “sleep” protection function ……………………………………………………..……………......12
10. Cleaning and daily maintenance……………………………………….………………………………..13
Shut down the microtome………………………………………………………………………………....13
Cleaning ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……….……13
11. Problems and Solution…………………………………………………………………….……………......14
12. Store and Transportation ……………………………………………………………..……………….....15
13. Packing list …………………………………………………………………………………………..……….. 15

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1. General description:

Thank you for your choice of SAM42 Semi-Automatic Microtome(Touch Screen Model).

The SAM42 Semi-Automatic Microtome is used widely for routine and laboratory section in hospitals,

medical colleges, Animal and Plant Quarantine, medical jurisprudence inspection departments and

Scientific research units. It is used for slicing different thickness specimen section for pathological

diagnosis..

The microtome integrates the distillate of technology of our company, adopts advanced design idea

in the world. Its main components are imported from reputed manufacturers in the world. No matter

setting program is easy or the rotation of the hand wheel is light, which greatly reduces the labor’s

intensity in the section job.

Our unique design of the specimen clamp that can be adjust the angle arbitrarily. Precision Roller Cross

Guide and Step Motor Driver System are available with sustained lubricating and automatic adjustment.

There is not need of adding oil and maintenance, etc.

The microtome lives up to that standard in a unique manner: stable performance, easy operation and

exemplary comfort and safety standards characterize as much as the comfortable level of the working

surface and the ergonomic design.

Its main functions: “ fast forward “ fast backward”, section and trimming thickness adjustable freely

between 1~100um, auto sleep protection, etc.

Touch screen：Section and trimming thickness

Section counter

Stroke position/distance

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2. Main technical parameters

Section thickness range 1-100μm

Trimming thickness range 1-100μm
Specimen retraction 12 μm
Max. Horizontal dislocation of specimen stroke 20mm
Max. Vertical displacement of specimen stroke 60mm
Min. section thickness gradual value 1μm
Min. trimming thickness gradual value 1μm
Section precision ±10℅
Max. size of specimen section 50×45mm
Overall dimension （L）500×（W）420×（H）310mm
Wet weight 32kg
Gross weight 38kg
Environmental temperature 10℃~~40℃

3. Unpacking and Installation：

Please check the weather Tip-n-Tell indicators on the outside of the carton box is upon or not .
Make sure it is upon.
Cut off the plastic bands on the outside of carton.
Take out the accessory box and the instruction manual.
Remove the around foam packing.

Do not carry the instrument with the

handle of the hand wheel, or Blade
Carrier device

3.1 Installing the instrument：

Place the instrument on a stable laboratory table,
with back away from the wall about 150mm.

3.2 Requirement for site：

The installation site must meet the following requirements:
-Stable, vibration-free laboratory table
-Vibration-free floor
-room temperature always between+10℃~+40℃.

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3.3 Section waste tray：

Insert the section waste tray as the figure indicates

The spindle in the hand wheel should be

insert to the hole in the machine
.Especially the small bolt must be inset
the small hole. Then tight the screw with
inner hexagon spanner in the tool box.

3.4 Installment of the hand wheel

Make sure the axis of hand wheel is in the axis hole of the hand wheel . then fix the screw with the inner
hexagon spanner .

4. Safety instruction for operating the instrument：

Safety devices (Spanner)
The safety devices on the instrument
and accessory equipment must not be
removed or revised!

Safety device of the hand wheel: the locking system: the

spanner controls the hand wheel, lock the hand wheel at
any position of rotation.

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 Do lock the hand wheel prior to
manipulating or changing the
specimen or knife.

The hand wheel can be locked in any direction with the locking spanner. The locking spanner can be set
on the locked or released position on the right side of the base.
Inspection Push the locking spanner backside until the hand wheel be locked and can’t rotate.
Release action Push the locking spanner to the front side, and the hand wheel can rotate again.

Every Knife(Blade) carrier has different shape

Knife(Blade) guard（1） that allows to cover
the cutting edge completely. Turn over the
knife(Blade) guard handle（2）to cover the
knife(Blade) edge.

Prior to manipulating or changing the specimen

or knife(Blade), and during breaks, it must
always cover the cutting edge with the
knife(Blade) guard!

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5. Illustration of Microtome

1.Knife(Blade) carrier 2.Specimen clamp 3.Handwheel 4.Waste tray 5.Touch Screen Panel 6.Cover
7.The lock spanner of hand wheel 8.Fuse 9.Power connection 10.Power switch 11.Fan

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6. The specimen orienting system：
The specimen orienting system consists of specimen clamp and angle adjusting device. The specimen
clamp can be adjusted right and left or up and down to obtain the best slicing angle.

1 Springs screw 2 lock spanner for clamp 3 screw for controlling size of clamp
4. Specimen clamp 5 screw for left and right 6 screw for up and down

Attention ：The specimen clamping system has been installed and adjusted appropriately. Users don’t
need to dismount and adjust by himself.
7. Knife carrier’s Fixing System
7.1 Installment of the knife carrier：
1) Rotate and release the fixing spanner ( 1 ) of the knife carrier base, push the carrier base forward
along with Rail ( 3 ) in the machine .Then lock the fixing spanner and fix knife carrier base.
2) Rotate and release the fixing spanner (2 ) of knife carrier .
3) The locking block (4 ) of the knife carrier base enter the T shape tray of the knife carrier.
4) Rotary and lock the fixing spanner (2 ) of knife carrier to lock the knife carrier .

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7.2 Adjusting the cutting angle:
1. Release the fixing spanner ( 2 ) of the knife carrier.
2. Turn the knife carrier, adjust the knife carrier angle according to different specimen hardness and
section thickness
3. Lock the fixing spanner ( 2 ), and fix the knife carrier on the knife carrier base.

7.3 Knife(Blade) guard on the knife carrier

A safety device for moving the knife or revising the
instrument.

Prior to manipulating or changing the specimen ,

Knife and blade , even during breaks, it must always cover
the cutting edge with the knife(blade) guard!

Knife and disposable knife holder

Be careful during adjusting knife or disposable knife holder,
because the cutting edge is extremely sharp, any mal-
operation may cause injury to hands.

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8. Functions induction of the Touch Screen Control Panel

Touch Screen Panel: Show the Stroke Distance, Counter , Show or Set Trimming Thickness, Section
Thickness

“TRIM” button: Press this button to select trimming model, cursor flicker ✱in the thickness value,
Adjust thickness by pressing the “︾“ button or “︽ “button

“SECT” button: Press this button to select section model, cursor flicker ✱ in the thickness value,

adjust thickness by pressing the “︾“ button or “︽ “button

“︾” button Press this key to let specimen clamp to move fast forward .if under Section or Trimming
model ,Press this button to increase the thickness when cursor flickering ✱in the thickness value .
“︽” button： Press this key to let specimen clamp to move fast draw-back. if under Section or
Trimming model ,Press this button to decrease the thickness when cursor flickering ✱in the thickness
value .

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9. Operation
9.1 Switch on
Ensure that the instrument is laid steadily on a firm and solid testing table.
Insert the power cord plug in the input socket on the rear cover board, and then connect through the
220V main power supply.
Turn on the general power switch, the power switch and screen light up, and the specimen clamp
Resets fast.
9.2 Fixing the specimen
Rotate the hand wheel till the specimen clamp is hoisted to the highest position, and lock the hand wheel.
Loose the specimen clamp and mounting the specimen tissue and fix it.
9.3 Fixing the knife or disposal blade
Insert the blade into the knife(blade) carrier and fix.
Adjust the appropriate knife angle.
Release the fixing spanner of the knife(blade) carrier base.
Approach the knife(blade) holder to the specimen as close as possible.
Lock the fixing spanner, and the knife(blade) carrier.
Rotate the hand wheel to make the specimen and knife edge on the same height.
！Be careful when changing the knife or disposable blades, the cutting edge is extremely sharp,
or will cause injury to hands! Be extremely careful when manipulating the knife, because the cutting
edge is extremely sharp, any mal-operation may cause severe injury. In any case, do not touch the falling
knife with your naked hand!
Do not lay the knife with the edge upside. If not in use, keep the knife in the knife box!
Always lock the hand wheel prior to manipulating or changing the specimen or knife, even during breaks.
Indication： We provides various permanent knife carriers and disposable blade holder for your
option.
9.4 Fast forward or backward:
Press “︾” button or “︽” button; the specimen clamp can fast forward or backward. After it reached the
appropriate distance, release the specimen clamp spanner. Rotating the Angle adjusting handle
accordingly, can adjust the parallel between the specimen and knife right and left or up and down.
At the same time, rotate the hand wheel slowly to reach a better angle. Lock the specimen clamp
spanner to fix the specimen clamp.
Indication : It will alarm as bees hum when it forward or backward to the limit.
9.5 Trimming:
Press “TRIM” button show trimming thickness“TRIM:00μm”. Cursor flickering in the thickness value,
Press “︾” or “︽” to adjust the thickness until a satisfactory thickness. wait seconds until cursor stop
flickering ,rotate the hand wheel to do trimming section.

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After section trimming, the surface of the specimen should be clean and smooth,
Rotate the hand wheel clockwise till dispose the specimen clamp in the highest position, and at this time,
the specimen is in a status for section
9.6 Section:
Press “SECT” button to display the section thickness “section thickness 00μm” , Cursor flickering in the
thickness value ,Press “︾” or “︽” to adjust the thickness until a satisfactory thickness. for example screen
displays “SECT 03μm ,COUNT00”, wait seconds until cursor stop flickering ,rotate the hand wheel to do
trimming section and auto-counting at the same time.

if need to trim the specimen when section , just to press “TRIM” to change
Rotate the hand wheel for a complete circle for each section. The best section way is to rotate the hand wheel
clockwise from the starting point to the starting point evenly. If the hand wheel is rotated too fast, it will
compress the specimen, and cause tissue sticking.
After section, rotate the hand wheel to the starting position, and lock the hand wheel.

Indication : it will auto-store the section thickness and account number , so you do not need to set the
program again.
9.7 Position of specimen clamp
” FEED mm” and schematic show the screen remind the operator to notice the distance limit of the specimen
clamp movement. If the specimen clamp moves to the distance limit，it can’t feed the knife. Press the “︽”
button to reset.
Attention ：hand wheel rotation should be even, and the rotation speed should be compatible with
the specimen hardness. When slicing hard specimen, the speed should be more slowly

9.8 “Auto-sleep” protection functions

After booting, if don’t work for a long time, the instrument will enter “auto-sleep” protection status. The
display screen darkness, touch the screen when needed, and resume to work.
Indication：
After termination, the power supply should be closed, otherwise, the instrument will in protection status
for a lone time, which will speed the aging of the instrument, and shorten its life-span.

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10 Cleaning and Maintenance
Warning！Remove the knife(blade), knife(blade) carrier and knife(blade) carrier base before any
cleaning and maintenance.
10.1 shut down the microtome
Shut off the general power supply switch, remove the power supply plug
Turn the handwheel to make the specimen clamp to the highest position, turn the spanner, and lock the
handwheel.
Loose the knife-protection board and knife，lock the spanner, put the knife in knife box.
Loose the specimen-clamping bolt, and remove the specimen.
10.2 Cleaning
Remove all debris in the machine;
Remove the section waste tray for emptying
Lock the hand wheel before cleaning the instrument!
Clean the instrument like family daily life; pay especial attention to remove the waste wax around the
knife(blade)carrier.
Only use mild commercial detergents or soap solution for cleaning! Do not use solvent that contains
acetone and benzene!
Use dry cloth and bedew a little detergent to clean the surface of the instrument.
Do ensure that during the cleaning, no detergent liquid enter the instrument. After cleaning, wipe off the
surface of the instrument with a soft cloth.
Keep on cleaning all positions of the instrument after use. Use the knife carrier to move on the sliding
rail, infuse the detergent lubricant. Good maintenance to the instrument will prolong the life span of the
instrument.

Warning Be extremely careful when using the knife, because its edge is very sharp, any
mal-operation will cause serious injury. In any case, do not touch the falling knife with your hand!
Do not leave about the knife in other places.
Do not lay the knife with the edge upside. If not in use, keep the knife(blade) in the knife(blade) box!
Lock the hand wheel for each operating of the knife and specimen, or during the working intermission.

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11. Problem and solution
Problems, possible causes and corrective action

Problems Possible causes Corrective action

Non-even of sections: The -Insufficient knife/blade-Systematically try several Clearance
section thickness varies inclination; consequently the
angle adjustments until the optimum
from one section to Clearance angle is too small.
angle is found.
another. In extreme cases, -Check if all clamps are locked and
sections are skipped -Insufficient clamping of screws are tightened on the specimen
meaning that a section is specimen and/or knife. and knife carrier systems. Retighten the
not obtained. clamps and screws if necessary.]
-Blunt knife/blade. -Use a different part of the cutting edge
or use a new knife/blade.
Compressed sections -Blunt knife/blade. -Use a different part of the cutting edge
The sections are extremely or use a new knife/blade.
compressed, wrinkled or -Specimen too warm. -Cool the specimen on a cold plate.
jammed together. -Clearance angle too big. - Clearance angle adjustment;
systematically decrease the Clearance
-Sectioning speed too high. angle until the optimum adjustment is
obtained.
-Rotate the handwheel at a lower speed.
The knife ”rings” on the -Sectioning speed too high. -Rotate the handwheel at a lower speed.
cutting specimen when -Clearance angle adjustment;
slicing hard specimens. -Clearance angle too big. systematically decrease the clearance
Sections exhibit scratches angle until the optimum adjustment is
and chatter marks. -Insufficient clamping of obtained.
paraffin forceps or knife -Check if all levers are locked and
carrier. screws are tightened on the specimen
and knife carrier systems. Retighten the
clamps and screws if necessary.
No more specimen advance 1. Specimen reached the 1. Turn the coarse feed wheel in the
and consequently no front feed limit. appropriate direction to move the
section produced. specimen towards the clearance
2. The coarse feed wheel limit.
cannot rotate freely. 2. Remove and obstruction.
Not lighting-up and no
display when turn-on the Fuse is burned Replace the fuse
power supply switch.

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 Warning It should use well-earthed plug and turn on the power supply.
This machine should be used only to section specimen it should not be used for other purpose.
The machine should be 15cm away from the wall to keep good heat-scattering effect;
Otherwise it will shorten the span-life of the machine

12. Storage and transportation

This machine should be stored in a room with temperature 5°~ 40°C，relative humidity <= 80%.
Before transportation of this machine, please check if it’s locked and if marks are complete.
The microtome must be erectly transported!

13. Packing list

1, Microtome 1
2, Operation Manual 1
3, Power line 1
4, 3A fuse 1
5, Brush 1
6, Inner hexagon spanner 1
7, Waste tray 1
8, Knife shell 1 pieces
（base for disposable blade optional）

CONTACT US:

3055 Boulevard Saint-Martin O Suite T500, Laval, QC H7T 0J3, Canada

E-mail: [email protected] www.acculabcanada.com

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