I have been servicing the VIP-1000/2000/3000 (aka: "K" Series) tissue processors for over 15 years. They were manufactured new from approximately 1983 to 1993. They were manufactured and private labeled for Miles Scientific, Inc. by Sakura Finetek. In the time Miles sold them new, I estimate that well over 10k units were placed. In the 15+ years that I have serviced them, I have rarely come across the problems that Joe describes. It is true that the Retort Lid can become warped over time, and that brand new replacement parts are no longer available from Sakura, but there are so many units in the field, and many refurbished equipment companies with their own used parts departments, that a used replacement lid (that is not warped) is easily found. As to the electronics package that Joe mentions, again, of the hundreds that I have serviced over the years and to this very day, I have never had an electronics package (PCB/CPU) fail. It is true that the Power Supply to the electronics package does have a limited life span and will burn out over time (this may be what Joe experienced). But the Power Supply is a very common component and brand new replacement units are readily available from the electronics supply market. I am not saying that Joe did not experience a failure of one specific solid state PCB/CPU... it can happen. But it is very rare and does not reflect the continued performance of the thousands of units that are out there... either still in continuous use from the original date of purchase, or serving a second life as a refurbished unit.
If you would like further details of my experience with the "K" Series VIP tissue Processor, please contact me off-List. ~ Ford Ford M. Royer, MT(ASCP) Histology Product Manager Minnesota Medical, Inc. 7177 Madison Ave. W. Golden Valley, MN 55427-3601 CELL: 612-839-1046 Phone: 763-542-8725 Fax: 763-546-4830 Web: http://www.minnesotamedical.com _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet