CUTTING SAMPLES WITH THE BUEHLER PETROTHIN: USER GUIDE

...

roduction

This user guide will help thin section technicians cut off the main bulk of the sample on the Buehler PetroThin. This will prepare the sample for lapping on the Logitech LP50 to precision thickness. For more information on the Buehler PetroThin refer to The Operation and Maintenance Instructions PetroThin, Thin Section System manual, located in the black binder in the Thin Section Lab cabinet labeled "Equipment Manuals and Thin Section Prep".

PROCEDURE

PREPARING SAMPLES

1. Use a flat razor blade to clean the extra resin off the slide around the sample (Fig.1).
   1. If there is too much excess resin on the slide it will cause the slide to bow under vacuum on the PetroThin chuck face (Fig. 3). This will cause a bad seal or will crack the slide.

Image Modified
                                                                                                                                                   Figure 1

2. Use the diamond tipped pen to etch the sample number and orientation arrow if applies, onto the bottom right corner of the slide (Fig.2).

Image Modified
                                                                                                                              Figure 2

3. Flip the slide over and clean off any excess resin the back side of the slide with the flat razor. Then, wipe the slide and PetroThin chuck face clean with a kimwipe and isopropyl alcohol.

SECURING SLIDES TO THE CHUCK FACE

1. Connect the vacuum hose on the PetroThin to the vacuum pump hose if not already done (Fig. 3).

                                                                                                                                           Figure 3

2. Turn on vacuum by turning on the power strip connected to the wall just left of the PetroThin (Do not turn on the Vacuum button on the PetroThin).

...

1. 1. Watch the gauge on the left side; it should be in the green around 25 in/Hg.

Image Modified
                                                                                                                                                                        Figure 4

4. The slide should be secured to the chuck face now and unable to move.

USING THE CUTTING WHEEL

1. Set the cutting wheel micrometer to three increments and to 25 (Fig. 3 and 5).

Image Modified
Figure                                                                                                                                                Figure 5

2. Turn on the PetroThin wheels by pushing the Motor button on the front (Fig. 3).

...

6. Push the chuck face all the way to the left and lower it down slowly (Fig. 6).

Image Modified
     Figure 6

1. 1. Once the cut begins do not apply pressure down. Its own weight should be enough.
   2. When it gets close to cutting at the end, the sound will change to a higher pitch. At this time slow down the cutting and take some weight off the sample.

7. Once the sample is cut all the way, bring it back up slowly. Let the chuck face move back to the right side but do not let it slam back into place. Apply pressure to it because it is spring loaded.

USING THE CUP WHEEL

1. Keep the water, motor, and safety equipment on.
2. Set the cup wheel digital micrometer to -0.600mm. (Fig. 3 and 7).

Image Modified
                                                                                                                                           Figure 7

3. Lower the chuck face down slowly so the whole sample has passed the cup wheel and bring back up slowly. Repeat a couple of times.

...