Page 3 - NOTE
3 Leica VT1000 A NOTE The information, numerical data, notes and val- ue judgments contained in this manual repre- sent the current state of scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art technology as we under- stand it following thorough investigation in this field. We are under no obligation to update...
Page 4 - Contents
4 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Contents 1. Important Notes ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 2. Safety ...........................................................................
Page 5 - Symbols in the text and their meanings; Any other use of the instrument is considered; Instrument Type; • The Leica VT1000 A may be operated by; Numbers in parentheses refer to item
5 Leica VT1000 A Notes, i.e. important information for the user, are highlighted in gray and marked by the symbol. Dangers, warnings and cautions appear in a gray box and are marked by a warning triangle. Symbols in the text and their meanings 1. Important Notes (5) (Fig. 3) Intended use The Leica V...
Page 7 - Warnings – Markings on the instrument itself; personal injury, damage to the instrument or accessory equipment.; Warnings – Transport and installation; enter the interior of the instrument during cleaning.
7 Leica VT1000 A 2. Safety Warnings – Markings on the instrument itself • Warning labels on the instrument marked with a warning triangle indicate that the correct operating instructions (as defined in this Operating Manual) must be followed when operating or replacing the item marked. Failure to ad...
Page 8 - Safety; Warnings – Operating the instrument; sharp and can cause serious injuries!; Proper handling; hold it by its blunt ends only.
8 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 2. Safety Warnings – Operating the instrument • Take care when handling disposable blades and sapphire blades. The cutting edge is extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries! Always wear work safety shoes and safety gloves! • Always clamp the specimen block BEF...
Page 9 - Instrument Components and Specifications; Overview — instrument components
9 Leica VT1000 A 3. Instrument Components and Specifications 3.1 Overview — instrument components Fig. 3 Fuses Instrument feet Connection Power cable Adjustment knobs for the sectioning window Connection for footswitch Foot switch ON/OFF Drainage valve for liquid from the Vibratome tray Power switch...
Page 10 - Instrument Components and Specifications; General; the table on page; Dimensions and weights
10 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 3. Instrument Components and Specifications 3.2 Technical data General Approvals: The instrument-specific approval marks are located on the identification label. Operating temperature range: +10 °C to +35 °C Relative humidity: max. 80% non-condensing Operating tem...
Page 11 - Setup the Instrument; Standard delivery; and includes the following parts:; PROFESSIONAL PACKAGE
11 Leica VT1000 A 4. Setup the Instrument 4.1 Standard delivery The standard equipment of the Leica VT1000 A is available in 3 variants and includes the following parts: 1. STARTER PACKAGE 1 Specimen Tray (includes V-block adapter) ................................... 39053744 1 Specimen Blocks, (3 b...
Page 12 - Installation site requirements; The accessories ordered are included in a separate box.; PROFESSIONAL GOLD PACKAGE; * only one cord included determined at time of order
12 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 4. Setup the Instrument 4.2 Installation site requirements • Stable, vibration-free laboratory bench with horizontal, even stage plate; practically vibration-free floor. • No other instruments nearby which might cause vibrations.• Room temperature consistently bet...
Page 13 - Unpacking and setting up the instrument; Never lift the instrument by holding
13 Leica VT1000 A 4. Setup the Instrument Fig. 6 4.3 Unpacking and setting up the instrument • First check the shipment for external damages upon arrival. • If it is evident that the shipment was damaged during transport, please make a claim to the carrier immediately. • Ensure that the instrument i...
Page 14 - Setup the Instrument; Checking the performance requirements; sure that the product number; Product number Instrument version; Connection to power supply system; The product number and all corresponding connection values are
14 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 4. Setup the Instrument 4.4.1 Checking the performance requirements The Vibratome VT1000 A is available in different versions for operation with different supply voltage. Before connecting the instrument to the power supply, check to make sure that the product num...
Page 15 - All electrical connections are on the left rear; Connecting to power supply; • Make sure that the Vibratome is switched
15 Leica VT1000 A 4. Setup the Instrument Severe damage may occur if the in- strument is connected to a power sup- ply voltage other than that to which it was originally set. The power supply voltage for the in- strument is factory preset and CAN- NOT be altered by the user. The Leica VT1000 A MUST ...
Page 16 - Connecting the foot switch; SINGLE; • Route the cable of the foot switch so that the; ON; If the foot pedal switch in the “ON”
16 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Fig. 8 4. Setup the Instrument 4.5 Connecting the foot switch The standard scope of delivery of the "Profes- sional" and "Professional Gold" instrument ver- sions include a foot switch ( 18 , Fig. 8 ) that can be connected to the rear side of the i...
Page 18 - • Insert the deluxe specimen tray into the in; • As shown in
18 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 4. Setup the Instrument • Insert the deluxe specimen tray into the in - stalled u-frame bracket so that the slotted cam screw ( 28 ) for fastening the specimen disks is at the front left ( Fig. 13 ). • Then screw the specimen bath securely in place using the clamp...
Page 19 - Assembling the specimen vice assembly; Always remove the blade BEFORE in-
19 Leica VT1000 A 4. Setup the Instrument Fig. 17 4.7 Assembling the specimen vice assembly • The specimen vice assembly ( 34, Fig. 16 ) is assembled inside the main specimen bath ( 23, Fig. 15 ). • Insert the cheese head screw ( 35 ) into the bore of the specimen stage ( 27 ) and tighten it using a...
Page 20 - • Position the lower post at the bottom of the
20 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 4. Setup the Instrument 4.7.1 Inserting the round specimen tray The round specimen tray ( 45 ) can be installed in place of the specimen block. It enables easy separation of buffer solution and ice that can accumulate in the main specimen bath. Always remove the b...
Page 21 - Assembling the rotating stage assembly
21 Leica VT1000 A 4. Setup the Instrument 43 Fig. 25 4.7.2 Assembling the rotating stage assembly The rotating stage assembly allows for simple position correction of the specimen surface when the specimen is glued in place. • To do so, first remove the specimen vice as - sembly ( 34, Fig. 16 ) by f...
Page 22 - Assembling the magnifier
22 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 11 Fig. 26 Fig. 27 13 4.8 Assembling the magnifier 4. Setup the Instrument 14 • Move the lamp carrier ( 10, in Fig. 27 ) on the instrument out by pulling it forwards. • The bottom of the lamp carrier has two notches ( 12 ), one each on the left and right. • Instal...
Page 23 - PAUSE switch; With this switch, you can temporarily stop the feed movement of the; PAUSE; switch is useful particularly if you want to adjust the height
23 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation 5.1 Operating elements and their functions5.1.1 The control panel 5.1.2 The operating elements Light switch Display Rotary knob SPEED Height adjustment of the specimen stage PAUSE Switch DIRECTIONAL SWITCH Direction of cutting head Section thickness Sectioning switch A...
Page 24 - Operation; The operating elements; SPEED; AUTO REV
24 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5. Operation The operating elements (continued) This switch and its three switch positions (upper, center, lower) con- trol the movement direction of the cutting head. • Push the switch upwards to start the sectioning cycle. The sec - tioning blade will advance fo...
Page 25 - • In the zero position (‘; THICKNESS
25 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation The operating elements (continued) Fig. 32 AMPLITUDE rotary knob This knob controls the relative amplitude of the lateral excursion of the sectioning blade vibratory movements. • In the zero position (‘ 0 ‘) or during the retraction movement of the cutting head, the bl...
Page 26 - THICKNESS switch; • The parameter selected for this value is indicated in the LED dis; SECTION switch; • If this parameter is set to the value ‘
26 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5. Operation 53 The operating elements (continued) THICKNESS switch The THICKNESS switch defines the desired section thickness for au- tomatic mode in microns. • The parameter selected for this value is indicated in the LED dis - play above the switch, the display...
Page 27 - • The instrument works in manual mode only the LED display is not
27 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation The operating elements (continued) MODE switch The MODE switch serves to toggle between the manual, single and automatic modes. Switch position: MANUAL • The instrument works in manual mode only; the LED display is not illuminated. The section thickness must be adjuste...
Page 28 - Adjustment options on the instrument
28 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5. Operation 5.2.1 Adjusting the blade presentation angle • The accessories include a blade angle indi - cator ( 46 ) for this purpose. • To read the blade angle using this indicator, hold the angle indicator against the left side of the blade holder. The notch ( ...
Page 29 - • To do so, first unscrew the locking screw
29 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation Fig. 42 5.2.2 Adjusting the specimen and blade Positioning the specimen in the specimen holder You can adjust the lateral position of the speci- men in order to attain an approximate centering of the specimen in the specimen tray. Since one of the jaws of the specimen ...
Page 30 - • By loosening the knurled screw (; Moving the blade holder relative to the specimen; used to adjust the blade presentation; Adjusting the tilt of the specimen; Complete control of the specimen over
30 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5. Operation In some cases, e.g. for large specimens, it is necessary to move the blade holder ( 50 ) on the mounting bar.When the width of a large specimen is approxi- mately the same as the sectioning blade edge length, the lateral positioning of the sectioning ...
Page 32 - Adjustable sectioning window
32 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Fig. 47 Adjustable sectioning window (continued) • First, adjust the front limit switch that is on the front side of the instrument. • To do so, release the knob ( 57. 1 ) with the blade fully retracted and move it into the de- sired position. • As soon as the swi...
Page 35 - Sectioning
35 Leica VT1000 A When the instrument is switched on for the first time, the blade is automatically moved back in operating state "B" and stopped in state "C".Each sectioning cycle needs only to be initiated by the operator. Once state "A" is activated, the sectioning blade w...
Page 38 - remove fluid residue that could impair the adhesion.; Adhesive Mounting; direct skin contact with the adhesive under any circumstances.; Instructions for a clean bond
38 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5. Operation The surfaces onto which the specimens are attached must be clean, dry and free of adhesive residue from previous applications. The specimen mounting blocks specimen tray, and deluxe specimen bath have a hard sur- face coating that should not be impair...
Page 39 - the instrument performance.
39 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation If the specimen requires a larger surface, you can use specimen tray (39053744) or the deluxe specimen bath (39053745). Specimens small enough to fit on a surface of a specimen mounting block can be affixed directly. The specimen mounting block is then clamped i n t o ...
Page 40 - Inserting the blade
40 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Be careful when handling the dispos- able blades or sapphire knife. The cutting edge is extremely sharp and can cause serious injuries. Before inserting a blade, the specimen to be section should be attached to the specimen plate (clamped into place or affixed) to...
Page 41 - Specimen preparation
41 Leica VT1000 A 5. Operation The speed and amplitude should be set to "0" initially. Then, advance the blade until it almost touches the specimen. For this purpose, briefly push the direction switch upwards. With the sectioning blade close to the specimen, their relative heights may be gau...
Page 42 - Preparing the specimen bath
42 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 5.5 Preparing the specimen bath The purpose of the specimen bath is four-fold: to lubricate the blade dur- ing the sectioning operation, to prevent the specimen from heating up or drying out, to increase or maintain desired features of the specimen and to allow ef...
Page 43 - Conventional sectioning
43 Leica VT1000 A After the specimen has been trimmed to create a flat specimen surface, the preparations for actual sectioning can be carried out. The procedure consists of generating a few sections at the final parameter settings and section thickness. This is intended to compensate for the effect...
Page 44 - Removing the sections
44 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Sections generated may be retrieved from the specimen bath by various means. For microscopic applications, the section may be delivered to a glass slide by aspirating the section with a small glass dropper if doing so does not damage the specimen. In some cases, u...
Page 45 - Cleaning and Maintenance; Cleaning the instrument; powders or solvents containing acetone or xylene. The finished; Before each cleaning, carry out the following preparatory steps:; electrically live parts are on the inside!
45 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 6. Cleaning and Maintenance 6.1 Cleaning the instrument • Always remove the blade before detaching the blade holder from the instrument! • Always keep the sapphire blades in the box when not in use! • Never place used blades on the laboratory table - dispose of th...
Page 46 - buffing with clean dry tissue should follow.; Cleaning the instrument and outer surfaces; • If necessary, the varnished outside surfaces can be cleaned with; Cleaning and Maintenance
46 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 Specimen bath area After sectioning is completed, the specimen bath, specimen holder and sectioning blade holder should be cleansed of any bath solution residue. Any water-soluble solvent may be used unless it corrodes parts made of polypropylene or nitrile rubber...
Page 47 - All service repairs covered under the Warranty Policy shall be; Maintenance instructions; internal components of the instrument for service or repair!
47 Leica VT1000 A 6. Cleaning and Maintenance When used normally, the Vibratome VT1000 A requires only standard maintenance. To ensure trouble-free operation of the instrument over a long period of time, the following is recommended by Leica: • Thoroughly clean the instrument on a daily basis.• From...
Page 48 - POWER PLUG OUT OF THE SOCKET; . The fuse and its holder are removed; Qty; rectly behind the glass magnifier.; BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN TO UNPLUG THE POWER CABLE before
48 Operating Manual V 1.1 – 01/2010 6.3 Replacing components6.3.1 Fuse If the instrument fails to function completely, first check for power avail- ability at the power outlet. The instrument fuse(s) located at the rear of the instrument should be checked next. Before removing the fuse, pull the POW...
Page 49 - Optional Accessories; Ordering information
49 Leica VT1000 A 7. Optional Accessories 7.1 Ordering information Specimen mounting block, 3 per package .......................................... 39053747Specimen adhesive ................................................................................. 39053986LED light ............................
