Leica RM2145 Microtome Online Troubleshooting Guide
Contents
1. The Leica RM2145 Microtome Online Troubleshooting Guide Seica MICROSYSTEMS Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Table of Contents of Contents Problem Page 1 Thick and thin sections 1 2 2 Compressed sections extremely compressed wrinkled or jammed together 3 4 3 Chatter 5 6 4 Scratches or splits in sections 7 5 No specimen advance and consequently no section produced 8 6 Drifting of handwheel 9 7 Specimen is picked up in the return stroke of the specimen arm 10 8 Sections are sticking to pressure plate 11 9 Unable to retract specimen 12 10 Microtome makes clunking noise when sectioning 13 i No key pad response from control panel 14 Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 1 Thick and thin sections a Partial sections b Shorter sections in ribbon c Section thickness varies from one section to another d Skipping sections e Varied thickness in one individual section Cause s Corrective Action I lI lil IV V The clearance angle is too small a Systematically try several clearance angle adjustments until the optimum angle is found For the RM2100 series use 2 5 disposable Insufficient clamping of specimen Orientation head Cassette clamp b Check if all levers are locked and if screws are tightened on the specimen Retighten the levers and screws if necessary c If the clamp lever can be tightened at more than a 60 turn adjustment is ne2. edge not down on the blade edge d Try to move blade or replace e Remove paraffin from the front or back of the pressure plate f Clean the pressure plate with a swab moistened in Xylene back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 5 No specimen advance and consequently no section produced Cause s Corrective Action I Specimen reached the front feed limit a Activate the coarse feed advance switch on the control panel to bring the specimen arm back u l Il The coarse feed may be jammed with debris b Remove any obstruction Ill Internal mechanism spindle may be defective c Schedule a service call for the replacement of the spindle or adjustment of torque values IV Coarse feed motor may be faulty d Schedule a service call to replace the coarse feed motor For S N starting in the following 0959 07 1999 please use Part number 14050233483 NOTE Older units with S N prior to the above mentioned have the old style motors which can still be ordered Upgrade is not necessary Use Part number 14050229448 This part has a LCC of 3 V PCB Control board may be faulty e Schedule a service call for replacement of the control board For S N starting in the following 0959 07 1999 please use Part number 14050333140 NOTE Older units with S N prior to the above mentioned have the old style control boards which can still be ordered Upgrade is not necessary Use Part number 140
3. individual section Cause s Corrective Action VI Backlash in specimen advance system I Test for backlash by trying to rotate the object head clockwise and counter clockwise If there is play in the system schedule a service call for the internal adjustments of the specimen advance system CJ VII Stepper Motor m To check the stepper motor turn the sectioning mode on and advance forward A continuous advance noise should be heard If noise is choppy and not continuous schedule a service call back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 2 Compressed sections extremely compressed wrinkled or jammed together a Compressed b Wrinkled c Jammed Cause s Corrective Action I lI lil IV V VI VII Dull knife blade a Use a different part of the cutting edge or use a new knife blade Blade knife is gummed up with paraffin b Clean knife with a swab moistened with Xylene Stroke the swab in an upward motion away from the blade edge not down on the blade edge Specimen is too warm c Pre cool the specimen on a cold plate d Cool the specimen in iced water or with an ice cube e Use freeze spray immediately before sectioning NOTE Some labs prohibit the use of this spray please advise Clearance angle is too big f Clearance angle adjustment systematically decrease the clearance angle until the optimum adjustment is obtained bs p g Ch
4. 4050233483 NOTE Older units with S N prior to the above mentioned have the old style motors which can still be ordered Upgrade is not necessary Use part number 14050229448 This part has a LCC of 3 back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 10 Microtome makes clunking noise when sectioning Cause s Corrective Action I Linear bearings in cage are at their lower limits a Linear bearings need to be cleaned and possibly re greased Il Alignment of bearing cage is incorrect b Schedule a service call back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 11 No key pad response from control panel Cause s Corrective Action Ill Microtome has no functionality a Check the connection on the back of microtome for connectivity b Schedule a service call if above does not correct the problem back to Table of Contents
5. 50330968 This part has a LCC of 3 back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 6 Drifting of handwheel Cause s Corrective Action 1 Spring balance system is not calibrated a Set handwheel to the 3 o clock position and let it sit If the wheel drifts upward or downward then the spring system is not balanced and requires adjustment If the handwheel does not drift then no adjustment is necessary If adjustment is necessary you can balance the unit by adjusting a flathead screw which is accessible through the hole on the underside of the microtome base plate Removal of the section waste tray is necessary If the specimen head slightly rises turn the screw counter clockwise completing 2 or 3 full rotations If the specimen head slightly drops turn the screw clockwise completing 2 or 3 full rotations Please refer to page 39 fig 39 in your operations manual for reference Spring Balance Adjustment Screw back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 7 Specimen is picked up in the return stroke of the specimen arm Cause s Corrective Action I Static electricity charge may be built up on the knife holder or specimen head a Adjust the temperature or humidity level in the room b Use an ionizer to neutralize the static charge c Clean components of the microtome with alcohol Il Adjustment of retract value may be needed d Increase
6. eck leaf spring screw for washers and tightness 0 Leaf spring is worn h Replace leaf spring Part number 14050229557 i Ifthe leaf spring does not solve the problem then replace the locking lever A service call is required for this j Check angle of pressure plate facet to see if it is correct Refer to User Manual pages 29 30 Paraffin build up on the back of the pressure plate k Clean knife with a swab moistened with Xylene Stroke the swab in an upward motion away from the blade edge not down on the blade edge Knife blade is not parallel with the pressure plate continued on page 4 Pressure Plate back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 2 Compressed sections extremely compressed wrinkled or jammed together continued a Compressed b Wrinkled c Jammed Cause s Corrective Action VII Knife blade is not parallel with the pressure plate cont l Adjust the pressure plate with set screws at the bottom of knife holder turn counter clockwise or clockwise until blade is parallel with the top of the pressure plate Pressure Plate m When the blade is parallel with the pressure plate the base line of the blade should line up with the top of the pressure plate after being clamped Blade Edge os Pressure Plate VIII Insufficient tension of the handwheel n With manually turning rotate the handwheel 5 times and release your hand from the handwheel If
7. ectly re install properly and include all parts back to Table of Contents 6 Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 4 Scratches or splits in sections Cause s Corrective Action I Il Knife Defect in knife edge Hard specimen in block Paraffin on front or back of knife edge Possible staple left in paraffin a b c d e f Move to a new area of the knife and observe if the scratches move with it If so replace the knife or have it sharpened Notify your supervisor about the hard specimen in the block and how to proceed from there Clean the knife with a swab moistened with Xylene Stroke the swab in an upward motion away from the blade edge not down on the blade edge Try to move blade or replace TIP Use a wooden stick and run it across the blade once and check again Clean the pressure plate with a swab moistened in Xylene Trim through this area of the paraffin block or use a different block Blades Defect in knife edge Hard specimen in block Paraffin on front or back of knife edge Coating deterioration on blade edge a Move to a new area of the knife and observe if the scratches move with it If so replace the knife or have it sharpened Clamping Lever b Notify your supervisor about the hard specimen in the block and how to proceed from there OO c Clean the knife with a swab moistened with Xylene Stroke the swab in an upward motion away from the blade
8. eded d Schedule a service call for the adjustment of the specimen head clamp lever e Check the 4 screws that hold the orientation head to the advance arm f On the cassette clamp check the 4 screws that hold cassette clamp to the orientation head g Check for movement of cassette while in holder If movement exists it may be caused by Weak broken springs Wax build up or Lack of grease A service call is required to replace springs and properly grease f it is wax build up clean with a sparing amount of Xylene Locking levers are not well lubricated or cleaned causing them to be not completely fastened or stuck in a non locked position h Remove all locking levers clean off all paraffin and debris then apply a sparing amount of the provided Leica lubricant Lubricate only with recommended KuBer Topas Grease which can be ordered through Leica Part number 14033624744 Leaf spring is worn i Replace leaf spring Part number 14050229557 j If the leaf spring does not solve the problem then replace the locking lever A service call is required for this Dull knife blade k Use a different part of the cutting edge or use a new knife blade continued on page 2 back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 1 Thick and thin sections continued a Partial sections b Shorter sections in ribbon c Section thickness varies from one section to another d Skipping sections e Varied thickness in one
9. obtained IV Damage to pressure plate exists Bent Nicked d Replace the pressure plate Part number 2100 series complete 14050233128 continued on page 6 back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 3 Chatter continued a Venetian Blind affect b Wash board c Undulations Cause s Corrective Action V Insufficient clamping of specimen and or knife e Check if all levers are locked and if screws are tightened on the specimen knife holder systems Retighten the levers and screws if necessary f Check the front pressure plate lever for wear If the round on the lever is worn then replace the lever Clamping lever Part number 14050229554 VI Incompatible blades Blade is possibly too thin causing flex if the specimen is too hard g Try using a different brand or grade of blades VII High profile knife may be too thick h Try using a different brand or grade of blades VIII Wax build up on the back of the front pressure plate i Clean the back of the pressure plate IX Application issue not a microtome problem j Infiltration Dehydration Decalcification Paraffin is too old Paraffin Impurities X Tabletop stability k Move the microtome or table to a more stable location or replace the table if it is flimsy XI Vibration in specimen advance system I Check if orientation has been changed or disassembled If reassembled or installed incorr
10. the handwheel rotates freely more than 3 times adjustment is needed Schedule a service call back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 3 Chatter a Venetian Blind affect b Wash board c Undulations Cause s Corrective Action I Insufficient tension of handwheel a With manually turning rotate the handwheel 5 times and release your hand from the handwheel If the handwheel rotates freely more than 3 times adjustment is needed Schedule a service call Il Spring balance system is not calibrated b Set handwheel to the 3 o clock position and let it sit If the wheel drifts upward or downward then the spring system is not balanced and requires adjustment If the handwheel does not drift then no adjustment is necessary If adjustment is necessary you can balance the unit by adjusting a flathead screw which is accessible through the hole on the underside of the microtome base plate Removal of the section waste tray is necessary If the specimen head slightly rises turn the screw counter clockwise completing 2 or 3 full rotations If the specimen head slightly drops turn the screw clockwise completing 2 or 3 full rotations Please refer to page 39 fig 39 in your operations manual for reference Spring Balance Adjustment Screw Ill Clearance angle is too big h J c Clearance angle adjustment systematically decrease the clearance angle until the optimum adjustment is
11. the retract value to a max of 50 microns If you like to rock then use rocking mode back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 8 Sections are sticking to pressure plate Cause s Corrective Action 1 Too much paraffin a Clean the knife with a swab moistened with Xylene Stroke the swab in an upward motion away from the blade edge not down on the blade edge Il Dirty pressure plate b Clean the plate with a swab moistened with Xylene Ill Static c Spray static solution Increase humidity Ground the instrument IV Too much Xylene on pressure plate d Remove Xylene with alcohol back to Table of Contents Leica RM2145 Troubleshooting Guide Problem 9 Unable to retract specimen Cause s Corrective Action 1 Retraction mechanism on specimen advance system is defective a Schedule a service call Spindle may be faulty Il Possible PCB Control board faulty b Schedule a service call for replacement of control board For S N starting in the following 0959 07 1999 please use part number 14050333140 NOTE Older units with S N prior to the above mentioned have the old style control boards which can still be ordered Upgrade is not necessary Use Part number 14050330968 This part has a LCC of 3 Ill Coarse feed motor faulty c Schedule a service call to replace the coarse feed motor For S N starting in the following 0959 07 1999 please use part number 1
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