Yes, unfortunately I am very familiar with this problem. We have probably had at least 10 clamp handles break off over the last 3 years. The problem is the soft metal they are using for the clamp post. The post fits into a hole in the bottom portion of the clamp and that is actually what pulls the clamp open so that you can insert a cassette. I have talked to our Leica rep numerous times about this issue. They first tried to blame our techs for the problem (they must be using it too "aggressively") but they eventually took a limited amount of "ownership" for the inferior materials. At one point they thickened the clamp handle itself but the real problem is that post at the end of the handle. I have suggested that they make the handle (or at least the post) out of titanium or some other material that can stand up to the stress put on it by the clamp. I have not seen any additional improvements over the past two years and we still have clamp handles break off on occasion. Your Leica rep is well aware of this problem so contact them and ask for some new clamps (they will hopefully offer a free one or discounted one). I try to keep a couple of new spare clamps on hand as I have yet to figure out a way to repair that handle once it breaks off.
Jeff Robinson, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA. -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Anna Rorick Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 9:51 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Problems with Universal Cassette Clamp Hi Everyone, I am using a Leica RM2255 microtome with a universal cassette clamp. Two of the clamps have broken over the past year. Has anyone else had a problem with these? Anna Rorick Anatomic Pathology Technician Battelle Memorial Institute Columbus, Ohio Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This email and attachments may contain PHI that is privileged and confidential and is not intended for any unauthorized person. If you, the reader, are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Do not read the email but instead reply to the sender and destroy the message and any attachments. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
