GEO – Series: Petrography Preparation Thin Section
Efficient and highly precise preparation of stones, porcelain, etc.
The GEO machine series was designed for the efficient and highly precise preparation of stones, minerals, building materials, porcelain, etc. These can be used to prepare thin sections for assessment with a transmitted light microscope in a simple manner and with the highest quality. The GEO series offers a complete range of machines for petrographic sample preparation - starting with a piece of rock and ending with a sample with a thickness of 20 microns. This interesting product range offers you the latest technology and functional design to enable high-quality sample preparation of mineralogical samples and thin sections. In mineralogical tests, the surface of the test specimen is prepared in such a way that its light reflections can be assessed with a microscope. The preparation is therefore fundamentally similar to the sample preparation of metallic test specimens. On the other hand, the preparation of thin sections requires highly specialised equipment and skills because the samples are extremely thin. Samples with a thickness of only around 20 microns are common and can therefore be examined with transmitted light microscopes and, for example, B. to be able to assess a polarization.
Video Petrography Machines Thin Sections
GEOFORM combination machine for separations, sectioning, thin sections
The preparation of thin sections for petrography requires a high-precision machine and the corresponding know-how. The GEOFORM cutting and grinding machine is ideally suited for this purpose as it combines the functions of a cutting machine with a diamond cutting disc and a grinding machine with a cup grinding stone combined in one machine. On the cutting side, the sample can be fixed with a holder that works with a vacuum system. Using the appropriate cutting technique, a sample with a thickness of only approx. 0,5 mm can be cut. During the cutting process, damage to the sample is prevented by water cooling. Diamond cutting discs or CBN boron nitride cutting discs with a diameter of up to 200 mm can be used for cutting. The grinding technology integrated on the right-hand side is designed for precise grinding of thin sections. A universal vacuum sample holder can accommodate different sizes of sample holders by using different stop pins. A vacuum pump supplies the sample holder for glass carriers with negative pressure so that they are securely sucked in and fixed during the grinding process. An integrated micrometer screw enables exact positioning of the sample so that it can be ground with an accuracy of approx. 2 µm (reproducibility of the micrometer screw).
Photos GEOFORM – Thin grinding - cutting + sectioning >0,5 mm on the diamond cutting disc
Photos GEOFORM – Thin section – Grinding with pot stone + precision delivery
Technical data GEOFORM combination machine for thin sections
|
Model |
GEOFROM |
|
Order number |
18 01 |
|
speed precision cutting disc |
1.400 rpm |
|
speed of the grinding wheel |
1.400 rpm |
|
precision cutting disc diameter |
200 mm |
|
pot whetstone diameter |
150 mm |
|
tank volume of the circulating cooling system |
40 liters |
|
glass carrier holder for standard carriers |
1 ″ x 2 ″ |
|
Digital micrometer screw (thin section feed |
resolution 1 µm |
|
Horsepower |
550 watts, |
|
Dimensions Width x Depth x Height |
53 x 75 x 42 cm |
|
Weight |
83 kg |
GEOCUT cutting machine
The GEOCUT cutting machines consist of a die-cast aluminum base housing on which the motor and the cutting chamber are built in two separate housings. A large viewing window made of shatter-proof LEXAN plastic and a sealed 12V halogen lamp within the cutting chamber allow precise observation of the cutting process with the highest level of operator safety. The spacious work area houses a large travel table that can accommodate a variety of optional clamping devices. The linear feed enables a long cutting depth and makes the GEOCUT an ideal machine for cutting long or deep samples with just one cutting cut. An optionally available motorized cross table with digital display and control enables a perfect parallel cut. A circulating cooling system is included as standard. The water jets attached to both sides of the cutting disc and two adjustable water nozzles ensure that the samples to be cut are protected from thermal stress during the cutting process. GEOCUT cutting machines meet the highest safety standards. The drive motor of the cutting disc can only be started when the protective housing has been closed and an electrical lock prevents unauthorized opening. The lock locks the protective cover until the cutting disc has come to a standstill. After the drive is switched off, the electrical braking system included in the standard delivery brings the cutting disc to a complete standstill within a few seconds.
Technical data GEOCUT
|
Model |
GEOCUT |
|
Order number |
14 03 |
|
cross cut – Z-axis |
manual, up to 125 mm |
|
table travel cut Y-axis |
manual, up to 225 mm |
|
Parallel sections – X-axis |
manual, up to 70 mm |
|
blade diameter |
Ø 300 / Ø 250 |
|
cutting capacity round (cutting disc Ø 250 mm) |
Ø 85 etc. |
|
cutting capacity round (cutting disc Ø 300 mm) |
Ø 110 etc. |
|
Cutting capacity square (cutting disc Ø 300 mm) |
70 x 200 mm |
|
Dimensions T-slot table width x depth |
380 x 250 |
|
T-slot width |
12 mm |
|
Drive power cutting disc motor S1 |
4 kW |
|
Drive power cutting disc motor S3 |
5,1 kW |
|
cutting wheel speed |
2.850 rpm |
|
Dimensions Width x Depth x Height |
93 x 93 x 139 cm |
|
Dimensions with base cabinet width x depth x height |
93 x 93 x 139 cm |
|
Weight |
210 kg |
|
tank volume of the circulating cooling system |
100 liters |
VACUMET impregnation device
The VACUMET device was developed for embedding and impregnating porous materials. It removes the air/air bubbles trapped in the samples and the embedding material and ensures gap-free embedding between the sample and the investment material. Most mineral samples have inclusions and cracks and are porous. They require embedding under vacuum. This task is carried out easily and efficiently by the VACUMET. In addition, the device can also be used to glue samples to a glass carrier and then grind them for thin-layer preparation on the GEOFORM machine.
Vacuum impregnation process:
- The embedding molds are placed in the container
- The samples to be embedded are placed in these
- Then the cold investment material (which was previously mixed) is poured in
- After the lid has been closed, the samples can be fixed with the pestles
- The pressure force is applied via the spring action of the fold sealing rubber
Alternatively (to the normal filling of the investment material/epoxy resins), these can be sucked in via hoses (using the negative pressure prevailing in the container). To do this, the hoses are dipped into the liquid in the mixing cups and inserted into the container in the investment molds. The negative pressure then sucks in the liquid and conveys it into the investment molds.
- Compressed air connection required Minimum 6 bar for pressure converter in vacuum
(an electrical connection is NOT required) - Dimensions 230 x 280 x 320 mm
- Weight kg 6,5
- Glass cylinder diameter approx. 13 cm (distance between the pressure tappets)
- Glass cylinder height (minus pressure rods etc.): 12 cm
FORCIPOL 300-1V and FORCIMAT-TS grinding machines
Automatic lapping + polishing system for thin-film sectioning
The FORCIPOL 300-1V is a powerful and robust machine with a variable speed between 60 - 600 rpm and a grinding wheel with a diameter of 300 mm. By using appropriate lapping, grinding and polishing agents, the samples are ideally processed in a gentle manner.
By using the FORCIMAT-TS sample mover, the FORCIPOL grinding machine becomes an automatic thin-film preparation system. The FORCIMAT-TS is a slow-running sample mover for thin layers and petrographic preparations. The pressure force required for the grinding process is applied to the sample as a single force. The force can be easily adjusted on the front of the machine.
The thin-film sample holders LAP-Holder and POL-Holder ensure flat and perfect surfaces. LAP-Holder has boron carbide stoppers that stop material removal at a specified location. POL-Holder are used for the grinding process.
Photos FORCIPOL grinding machine
Technical data FORCIPOL 300-1V and FORCIMAT-TS
|
Model |
FORCIPOL 300 – 1V |
|
Order number |
36 06 |
|
number of grinding wheels |
1 |
|
drive power grinding wheel motor |
1 PS |
|
Speed grinding wheel |
50 rpm |
|
grinding wheel diameter |
300 mm |
|
Dimensions Width x Depth x Height |
420 x 730 x 350 mm |
|
Weight |
37 kg |
|
Model |
FORCIMAT TS |
|
Order number |
30 10 |
|
drive power of the grinding head motor |
90 watts, |
|
speed of the grinding head |
35 rpm |
|
number of samples |
Single sample or up to 6 samples |
|
Dimensions Width x Depth x Height |
230 x 430 x 250 mm |
|
Weight |
16 kg |
