Retsch MM 400 User Manual

Operating Instructions for Oscillating Mill MM400

Retsch GmbH, 42781 Haan, Retsch-Allee 1-5, Germany 2/8/2012 0002

Notes on these operating
instructions

These operating instructions for the oscillating mill, type MM400,
give all the necessary information on the areas mentioned in the
contents.

They instruct the target group(s) for each of the defined areas, in
order to ensure safe handling of the MM 400 when used for the
intended purpose. Knowledge of the relevant section is an
essential precondition for safe, proper use of the machine.

This technical documentation is a reference work and also a set of
teaching instructions. The individual sections are complete in
themselves.

These operating instructions do not include instructions for
repairs. In case of possible defects or necessary repairs please
contact your suppliers or Retsch GmbH direct:

Retsch GmbH, www.retsch.de/

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Contents

Notes on these operating instructions ..................................... 2

Contents .................................................................................. 3

Safety ...................................................................................... 4

Safety instructions ............................................................................ 4

Warning signs ................................................................................... 5

Repairs ............................................................................................ 5

Confirmation .................................................................................... 8

Technical data ......................................................................... 9

Use according to the intended purpose ................................................ 9

Protective equipment ................................................................ 10

Emissions ....................................................................................... 10

Protective systems .................................................................... 11

Rated power: .................................................................................. 11

Machine dimensions ........................................................................ 11

Required floor space ........................................................................ 11

Transport and installation ..................................................... 11

Packing .......................................................................................... 11

Transport ....................................................................................... 11

Intermediate storage ....................................................................... 11

Conditions for the place of installation ............................................... 12

Installation ..................................................................................... 12

Electrical connection ........................................................................ 12

Operation .............................................................................. 14

Operating elements and operation ..................................................... 14

Graphical representation .................................................................. 14

General table .................................................................................. 15

Display and operating unit ................................................................ 16

Inserting / replacing the milling cups ................................................. 17

Setting the milling time ................................................................... 17

Setting the frequency ...................................................................... 18

Starting the milling process .............................................................. 18

Stopping the milling process ............................................................. 18

Storing the milling parameters .......................................................... 19

Operating hours display ................................................................... 19

Operating software display ............................................................... 20

Replacing the machine fuses ............................................................. 20

Working instructions ............................................................. 20

General .......................................................................................... 20

The milling process.......................................................................... 21

Quantities of milling material and grain sizes ...................................... 21

Safety instructions for handling liquid nitrogen.................................... 22

Safety functions and fault displays ........................................ 23

Safety functions .............................................................................. 23

General ................................................................................. 24

Cleaning ........................................................................................ 24

Maintenance ................................................................................... 24

Wear ............................................................................................. 24

Wearing parts ................................................................................. 24

Checks ........................................................................................... 24

Copyright ....................................................................................... 24

Alterations ..................................................................................... 25

Accessories for MM 400 .................................................................... 25

Safety regulations for the MM 400 - summary ..................................... 26

Appendix .......................................................... following pages

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We exclude any claims for damages of any kind for
injury to persons and damage to equipment arising
from non-observance of the following safety
instructions.

Safety

Target group: All persons concerned with the

machine in any way

The MM 400 is a modern, highly efficient product of Retsch
GmbH, corresponding to state of the art. If the machine is
used according to the intended purpose with a knowledge of
this technical documentation it is completely safe and reliable
to operate.

Safety instructions

As the operating authority it is your duty to ensure that all
persons charged with working on the MM 400:

have read and understood all the instructions on

safety,

before beginning work know all the instructions

and regulations for the target group relevant to
their work,

have access to the technical documentation for

this machine at all times, without problems.

New personnel should be familiarized with safe,

proper handling of the machine before beginning
work on the MM 400, either by verbal instruction
from a competent person or through this
technical documentation.

Improper operation can cause injury to persons

or damage to the equipment. You are responsible
for your own safety and that of your employees.

Ensure that no unauthorised persons have access

to the MM 400.

For your own protection have your employees confirm that
they have been instructed in operation of the MM 400. The
draft of a suitable form is given at the end of the section on
safety.

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Warning signs

Injury to persons

Damage to equipment

Observe instructions for use

The Retsch agency in your country

Your supplier

Retsch GmbH directly

____________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

Warnings are given by the following signs:

Repairs

These operating instructions do not include repair instructions.
For your own safety repairs must be carried out only by Retsch
GmbH or an authorised agent (service technicians).

In this case please contact:

Your service address:

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Safety instructions

We exclude any liability for claims for damages in any form whatsoever for injury to persons or damage
to the machine caused through non-observance of the following safety instructions.

Do not make any alterations to the machine and use only spare parts and accessories approved by
Retsch. Otherwise the Declaration of Conformity with European directives made by Retsch will lose its
validity. Furthermore this will also lead to the loss of any guarantee claims.

Please keep the packing material for the duration of the guarantee period, since, in case of a complaint
and return of the machine in unsuitable packing material your guarantee claim will be at risk.

The MM 400 must not be jolted, shaken or thrown during transport. Otherwise the electronic and
mechanical components may be damaged.

If subjected to high temperature variations (e.g. during transport by aircraft) the MM 400 must be
protected against condensed water. Otherwise the electronic components may be damaged.

If the delivery is incomplete and/or transport damage is found, you must inform the transporter and
Retsch GmbH immediately (within 24 hrs). Later complaints may possibly be no longer considered.

If the temperature drops below or exceeds the ambient temperature the electronic and mechanical
components may be damaged; the performance data are then altered to an unknown extent.

At high atmospheric humidity the electronic and mechanical components may be damaged and the
performance data are altered to an unknown extent.

If the values on the rating plate are not observed the electrical and mechanical components may be
damaged.

Ensure that the milling cups are inserted correctly in the milling cup holder – otherwise they can become
damaged when starting the machine.
Both milling positions must always be used since otherwise this will cause considerable unbalance.

When removing and opening hot milling cups always wear protective gloves.
Danger of burning the hands.

Observe the relevant regulations and directives of your country for handling chemicals and hazardous
materials.
Apply these when working with the MM 400.

Milling of materials with the MM 400 which give a risk of fire or explosion is prohibited.

Please take the necessary measures, depending on the hazardous nature of your sample, to prevent
danger to persons.

Note also that the properties, and therefore the hazardous nature of your sample, can change during the
milling process.

Use according to the intended purpose

Packing materials

Transport

Temperature variations

Supply schedule

Conditions for the place of installation

Electrical connection

Inserting / replacing the milling cups

General

Materials

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Safety instructions for handling liquid nitrogen

Always wear protective goggles and protective gloves when handling liquid nitrogen.

Liquid nitrogen has a temperature of –196°C and can cause frostbite or injury similar to burns if it comes
into contact with the skin or eyes.

Follow the safety regulations of the cooling liquid supplier.
Retsch GmbH accepts no liability whatsoever arising from the use of liquid nitrogen or similar materials.

Do not clean the MM 400 under running water. Danger to life through current surge.
Use only a cloth moistened with water. Cleaning agents and solvents should not be used – not for
cleaning the milling tools either.

Do not make any alterations to the machine and use only spare parts and accessories approved by
Retsch.
Otherwise the Declaration of Conformity with European directives made by Retsch will lose its validity.
Furthermore this will also lead to the loss of any guarantee claims.

These operating instructions do not include any repair instructions. For your own safety repairs should be
carried out only by Retsch GmbH or an authorised agent (service technicians).

Cleaning

Accessories for the MM 400

Wearing parts

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Confirmation

I have taken note of the sections „Notes on these

operating instructions” and “Safety”

_______________________________________

Signature of operating authority

_______________________________________

Signature of service technician

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Technical data

The sample quantity should not be less than 25% of the
milling cup volume.

The milling ball/s may otherwise damage the
milling cups.

The milling cup materials and milling ball materials
must always be identical.

The milling ball/s may otherwise damage the
milling cups.

Do not make any alterations to the machine and use
only spare parts and accessories approved by Retsch.

Otherwise the Declaration of Conformity with the
European directives by Retsch loses its validity.

Futhermore this will result in the loss of any kind
of guarantee claim.

Do not clamp any ceramic milling cups of the MM 2/200
or any milling cups without a complete steel casing.

Clamping by the metallic components of the
milling cup holder of the MM 400 can cause
damage to the ceramic parts.

Target group: Operating authority, operator
Machine type designation: MM 400

Use according to the intended purpose

The MM 400 is a laboratory machine and is suitable for milling
and homogenising soft, fibrous, hard and brittle materials in
the wet and dry state.

The MM 400 is designed for use with screw-type milling cups
with a steel casing and a milling set with clamping centerings
of dia. 36 mm and a min. clamping length of 60 mm. It is used
for fast, super fine milling of 2 samples simultaneously.
Ceramic milling cups without a complete steel casing must not
be used.

The closed milling system guarantees complete recovery of the
samples. Owing to the extremely short milling time and the
high final fineness of the material to be milled the MM 400 is
also ideally suitable for sample preparation for all spectral
analyses.

Final finenesses of down to 1 µm can be achieved, depending
on the milling time and the specific properties of the sample
material. The optimum milling cup filling is as a rule 1/3 of the
milling cup volume.

Exceptions to this are voluminous materials, such as wool,
leaves, grasses and suchlike. In these cases a filling level of
70-80% is necessary.

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Do not use ceramic or natural stone milling cups for
milling graphite or graphite mixtures.

The high lubricating properties of graphite cause high
milling ball speeds, the energy of which cannot be
absorbed by the material owing to its low density.

For this reason there is a danger that the ceramic
or natural stone inserts of the milling cups will be
destroyed by the ball/s.

For further information our application laboratory will

Container:

2 steel milling cups of 25 ml

Milling organ:

1 steel ball 20 mm

Material charged:

Quartz crushed pebbles approx.

4.0 – 6.0 mm

Charged quantity:

8ml

Container:

2 steel milling cups of 5 ml

Milling organ:

2 tungsten carbide balls 8 mm

Material charged:

Quartz crushed pebbles approx.

1.0 – 1.5 mm

Charged quantity:

1.5ml

be pleased to assist you.

Protective equipment

The milling chamber of the laboratory mill MM 400 is
enclosed by a strong covering hood.

Starting the machine is possible only with the hood
closed.

Emissions

Noise characteristic values :
The noise characteristic values are also influenced by

the properties of the material to be milled.

Example 1:

Intensity of sound LWA = 71.4 dB(A)

Emission value related to
workplace L

Operating conditions:

= 61 dB(A)

pAeq

Example 2:

Intensity of sound LWA = 76 dB(A)

Emission value related to
workplace L

Operating conditions:

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= 65 dB(A)

pAeq