Abstract: A nozzle for a gas-cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle includes a nozzle body formed from a first metal. The nozzle body comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion of the nozzle body comprises a first bore. The nozzle also includes an arc transition component formed from a second metal. The arc transition component is coupled to the distal portion of the nozzle body and comprises a second bore configured to substantially align with the first bore when the arc transition component is coupled to the nozzle body. The second metal of the arc transition component comprises a noble metal and the second metal is different from the first metal.

Abstract: A method of producing thin sections using a microtome is disclosed. A hand wheel (32) is manually driven for producing a first thin section, and wherein the rotational movement of the hand wheel (32) is detected by an encoder (38), and a profile of the rotational movement is determined. The determined profile is stored and selected for production of at least a second thin section. A motor (24) is driven for generating a cutting movement between a cutting unit (16) and a sample holder (12) in accordance with the respective stored profile selected for producing the second thin section. A microtome (10) to carry out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing thin sections by means of a microtome, wherein a hand wheel (32) is manually driven for producing a first thin section, and wherein the rotational movement of the hand wheel (32) is detected by means of an encoder (38), and a profile of the rotational movement is determined. The determined profile is stored and selected for production of at least a second thin section. A motor (24) is driven for generating a cutting movement between a cutting unit (16) and a sample holder (12) in accordance with the respective stored profile selected for producing the second thin section. The invention further relates to a microtome (10) by means of which the above method is carried out.