Abstract: A microtome has a frame structure in which an object holding member for holding an object to be thinly cut is movable with an oscillating movement by a drive device. The object holding member has a cutting thickness feed member and an object return member, the latter including a switch element disposed on the object holding member for oscillating movement therewith. The frame structure carries first and second abutments arranged at the respective end portions of the path of movement of the switch element which oscillates with the object holding member. The switch element is thus displaceable by co-operation with the first and second abutments between first and second positions respectively; when the switch element is in its first position the object holding member is in a position in which it is set back from the cutting plane while when the switch element is in its second position the object holding member is in a position of being advanced into the cutting plane for an object-cutting operation.

Abstract: A microtome has a specimen holder which executes a vertical up and down movement relative to a cutting knife and which has a guide mechanism in which a sleeve is arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable. The sleeve is provided at its front end with a specimen clamping mechanism and in its interior with a micrometer nut which is secured against axial displacement and through which extends a micrometer spindle mounted on the guide mechanism. The micrometer nut has on its outer face a toothed ring which is connected operatively to a pinion connected to an electric motor. When the electric motor is activated the sleeve is displaced in the guide mechanism. The micrometer spindle extends, on the side opposite the specimen clamping mechanism, through the guide mechanism as a stub end on which is located a mechanical cutting-thickness advance mechanism.

Abstract: A microtome has a specimen holder which executes a vertical up and down movement relative to a cutting knife and which has a guide mechanism in which a sleeve is arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable. The sleeve is provided at its front end with a specimen clamping mechanism and in its interior with a micrometer nut which is secured against axial displacement and through which extends a micrometer spindle mounted on the guide mechanism. The micrometer nut has on its outer face a toothed ring which is connected operatively to a pinion connected to an electric motor. When the electric motor is activated the sleeve is displaced in the guide mechanism. The micrometer spindle extends, on the side opposite the specimen clamping mechanism, through the guide mechanism as a stub end on which is located a mechanical cutting-thickness advance mechanism.

Abstract: A microtome provided with a drive wheel mounted in a stand, to be actuated manually and/or by means of a drive motor for generating a vertical relative movement between a specimen holder and a cutting knife, has a specimen holder, having a specimen clamping mechanism, arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable in a vertically drivable guide mechanism by means of a cutting-thickness adjustment mechanismn. The adjustment mechanism can horizontally displace the specimen holder through a cutting thickness adjustment distance towards the cutting knife. A specimen retraction mechanism serves to displace horizontally the specimen holder from an unretracted position to a retracted position, the retracted position being further from the cutting knife than the unretracted position. The distance between the retracted position and the unretracted position is greater than the maximum cutting thickness adjustment distance.

Abstract: A knife holder having two cylinders journaled for axial and rotatable movement are supported by two spaced-apart clamp blocks. The cylinders are axially and rotatably movable in the clamp blocks. Each cylinder has a continuous longitudinal slot of a cross-sectional shape generally complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the knife clamped therein. The axial movement of one cylinder relative to the other cylinder enables the length of knife edge that is exposed to be varied.

Abstract: The invention pertains to method and apparatus for specimen preparation, in conjunction with which at least one specimen surface is produced on a test piece embedded, if required, in a casting-resin mounting medium through chip or slice removal of material and wherein the examined specimen surface is milled; especially, a method for the preparation of hard objects, and/or objects exhibiting differential hardness over the specimen surface, for electron scan microscopic and X-Ray studies. The invention further includes apparatus for preparing a specimen for examination which includes a milling head.

Abstract: The invention pertains to method and apparatus for specimen preparation, in conjunction with which at least one specimen surface is produced on a test piece embedded, if required, in a casting-resin mounting medium through chip or slice removal of material and wherein the examined specimen surface is milled; especially, a method for the preparation of hard objects, and/or objects exhibiting differential hardness over the specimen surface, for electron scan microscopic and X-Ray studies. The invention further includes apparatus for preparing a specimen for examination which includes a milling head.