Leica EM KMR3 User Manual

Leica EM KMR3

Balanced-break Glass Knife Maker

The First True Balanced-break Knife Maker

Since the introduction of the world’s fi rst glass knife maker in
1962, Leica Microsystems has continuously refi ned the technique
of high-precision glass knife making. Central to the design of the
new Leica EM KMR3 knife maker is the precise balancing of the
instrument’s mechanical components to produce a 100% bal­anced break of the glass. This technical precision produces an
outstanding, high-quality knife edge. In addition, the instrument is
ergonomically-designed to provide comfort and ease of use.

From students and routine users, through experienced cryo­ultramicrotomists, the new Leica EM KMR3 is the unsurpassed
instrument of choice for producing high-end glass knives.

Your benefi ts:

• Highly reproducible, outstanding knife quality

• Automatic reset of the breaking and scoring mechanism

• Easily accessible scoring pressure adjustment

• Ergonomic design for comfortable use

• Fast learning curve – everyone in the laboratory can

produce excellent-quality glass knives immediately

Leica Design by Werner Hölbl

2

Knife Making with the Leica EM KMR3

Step 1:

Align the glass strip with the Leica EM KMR3’s

precision click stop.

Step 2:

Simply lower the breaking head to its

defi ned clamp position.

Step 3:

Push the button to perform an accurate score.
After the break, the scoring mechanism automatically resets
to the start position – ready for the next score.

3

… is Easier than Ever Before

Step 4:

The breaking wheel features defi ned positions and

automatically resets after the break.

Step 5:

The instrument’s unique drawer enables safer, convenient

glass knife removal without using additional tools.

The result:

Create perfect glass knives from 6.4 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm
glass strips.

4

Make High-quality Knives

All relevant parameters for exact corner-to-corner break are pre­cisely factory-adjusted and pre-set. Only the corner-to-corner
breaking method produces a knife with a resulting knife angle as
close to 45° as possible.

All the new features of the Leica EM KMR3 make the production of
glass knives easier and more reproducible for electron and light
microscope applications.

New scoring mechanism The balanced break concept

A push of a button performs the absolutely even score necessary
for a high-quality break. Two scoring lengths can be selected. The
longer length scores the glass strip to break it into squares, and
the shorter score is used before breaking the fi nal knives.

After the break, the scoring mechanism
the start position and is ready for the next score.

automatically resets to

The technique of producing a straight, controlled break in a strip
of scientifi c-quality glass requires that the knife maker apply
equal weight and pressure to each side of the score. In addition,
the support elements that touch the glass from below must have
minimum surface contact to avoid uncontrolled stress applied to
the glass prior to the break.

The Leica EM KMR3 simultaneously moves the two breaking pins
to apply exactly the same force to each side of the glass strip.

In addition, high-precision steel hemispheres provide minimum

glass surface contact for unsurpassed knife edge quality.

5

“With the user, for the user”
Leica Microsystems

Leica Microsystems operates globally in four divi sions,
where we rank with the market leaders.

Life Science Division

•

The Leica Microsystems Life Science Division supports the
imaging needs of the scientifi c community with advanced
innovation and technical expertise for the visualization,
measurement, and analysis of microstructures. Our strong
focus on understanding scientifi c applications puts Leica
Microsystems’ customers at the leading edge of science.

Industry Division

•

The Leica Microsystems Industry Division’s focus is to
support customers’ pursuit of the highest quality end result.
Leica Microsystems provide the best and most innovative
imaging systems to see, measure, and analyze the micro­structures in routine and research industrial applications,
materials science, quality control, forensic science inves­tigation, and educational applications.

Biosystems Division

•

The Leica Microsystems Biosystems Division brings his­topathology labs and researchers the highest-quality,
most comprehensive product range. From patient to pa­thologist, the range includes the ideal product for each
histology step and high-productivity workfl ow solutions
for the entire lab. With complete histology systems fea­turing innovative automation and Novocastra™ reagents,
Leica Microsystems creates better patient care through
rapid turnaround, diagnostic confi dence, and close cus­tomer collaboration.

Surgical Division

•

The Leica Microsystems Surgical Division’s focus is to
partner with and support surgeons and their care of pa­tients with the highest-quality, most innovative surgi cal
microscope technology today and into the future.

The statement by Ernst Leitz in 1907, “with the user, for the user,” describes the fruitful collaboration
with end users and driving force of innovation at Leica Microsystems. We have developed fi ve
brand values to live up to this tradition: Pioneering, High-end Quality, Team Spirit, Dedication to
Science, and Continuous Improvement. For us, living up to these values means: Living up to Life.

Active worldwide

Australia: North Ryde Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Austria: Vienna Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Belgium: Groot Bijgaarden Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Canada: Richmond Hill/Ontario Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Denmark: Herlev Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

France: Nanterre Cedex Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Germany: Wetzlar Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Italy: Milan Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Japan: Tokyo Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Korea: Seoul Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Netherlands: Rijswijk Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

People’s Rep. of China: Hong Kong Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Portugal: Lisbon Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Singapore Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Spain: Barcelona Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Sweden: Kista Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Switzerland: Heerbrugg Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

United Kingdom: Milton Keynes Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

USA: Bannockburn/lllinois Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

and representatives in more than 100 countries

LEICA and the Leica Logo are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

•

XII/09/??/???

•

Vienna Austria

•

Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH

©

Copyright

Leica EM KMR3 - E - 7/09 Order No. 16224002

www.leica-microsystems.com