PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw

The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw is a compact, multipurpose, precision saw designed to cut a wide variety of materials with minimal subsurface damage. Its low speed makes it possible to cut fragile materials that would otherwise fracture as well as soft materials that would load the diamond wheel on a higher speed saw. A variety of sample holders are available, providing a means for mounting any shape of sample, while multi-axis goniometer adaptability simplifies cutting oriented crystals.

Hard Bio-Specimens

The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw can also be used in the cutting of hard bio-specimens such as small bones, teeth, implants, embedded samples, and other materials. This can be of particular use to many areas of biological research as well as dental and veterinary applications. The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw can also be utilized in Fish & Wildlife Management applications, such as otolith preparation, to thinly section and expose the core and all increments for aging.

Operation

A sample is mounted to a sample holder and attached to the arm. An appropriate load is applied by adjusting the counterbalancing weight, and the automatic stop switch is set to define the end of the cut. The sample is positioned in any starting position relative to the diamond blade and then a micrometer is used for precise sample positioning. With the diamond blade rotating slowly and coolant in the reservoir, the arm is gently lowered until the sample touches the diamond blade. Cutting will continue until the automatic cutoff switch is triggered.

Cutting Blades

The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw is designed to cut with diamond, cBN and abrasive blades. Diamond blades are used for most applications while cBN blades are primarily used for cutting ferrous based materials. Abrasive blades (Al₂O₃, SiC) can be used for cutting both ferrous and nonferrous materials and have also been used for dry cutting of superconductor materials. Ted Pella, Inc. provides a wide selection of cutting blades and our catalog of consumables provides details on selecting the proper cutting blade for your application.

Features

• The belt drive system eliminates gear breakage which is common with less reliable fiber gear driven designs.
• The coolant reservoir is lowered and easily removed by opening an access door located on the front panel.
• Both coarse and fine sample position adjustments allow rapid and accurate sample positioning.
• The polyethylene coolant reservoir enables the use of both water soluble and oil based coolants.
• Automatic termination of the cutting process is controlled by an electromechanical downstop which minimizes supervision.
• The cutting arm pivots on a set of precision bearings rather than on the micrometer shaft which ensures accurate and repeatable sample positioning.
• The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw utilizes a high torque 1/15 HP DC motor to provide sufficient power for difficult materials.
• Automatic overload protection shuts down the motor if the blade binds while cutting.
• A wide variety of sample holders allow mounting of virtually any shape of sample.

Specifications

• Dimensions: Length 33cm (13") x Width 33cm (13") x Height 23cm (9")
• Universal Power: 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Speed: 50-300 RPM
• Blade Sizes: 3" or 4", with a 0.5" arbor
• Maximum Cut Depth: 1.25"
• ETL and CE certified

Accessories

Single-Axis Goniometer

The Single-Axis Goniometer has a graduated scale with a 0.2° vernier and can be rotated 360°. This rotational capability makes it ideal for precisely slicing single crystals as well as biological specimens. The sample is mounted to a block using a low melting point wax and the block is subsequently clamped into the PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw. Wax mounting of the sample ensures that the cut piece will remain attached to the holder and will not be damaged due to falling after being cut.

2-Axis Goniometer

The 2-Axis Goniometer is used for orienting and cutting single crystals. With the sample mounted to the goniometer, the vertical axis can be rotated +/- 50° from the 0.2° vernier on the arm.

Double Clamp Sample Holder

The Double Clamp Sample Holder is designed to clamp both ends of a round or rectangular rod while cutting between the two clamped positions.The Double Clamp Sample Holder can also be used as a single clamp holder to hold encapsulated metallurgical samples up to 1.25" in diameter.

Petrographic Vacuum Sample Holder

The Petrographic Vacuum Sample Holder is designed to use a vacuum to hold a 2.5 x 5.0cm (1 x 2") glass slide, onto which petrographic or other samples are mounted, while making saw cuts parallel to the glass slide. The glass slide is held against a stainless steel support plate with vacuum and is placed firmly against three locating pins to maintain its position.

Vise Sample Holder

The Vise Sample Holder is designed to hold flat, round and irregularly shaped samples without the need for mounting wax. The entire vise can rotate 360° in the horizontal plane. An extended v-notch jaw enables the mounting of cylindrical samples up to 1.25" in diameter including encapsulated metallurgical samples.

Freeform Sample Holder, "Bone Chuck"

The "Bone Chuck" allows you to hold the sample utilizing a series of ten independently adjustable mounting screws. These mounting screws make it possible to hold irregularly shaped specimens and rotate them 360° in a horizontal plane. The Bone Chuck attaches to the standard work arm in place of the standard sample holders.

Additional Accessories

Additional accessories available include a splash guard, silicone lab mats, Aluminum and Graphite sample mounting blocks (for use with Single-axis Goniometer), blade spacers of various thicknesses, and blade supports of different diameters.  It is recommended that the largest blade support (e.g. minimum blade exposure) possible be used for a given sample diameter. This will increase precision and help prevent damage to the blade. The 2.43" diameter blades supports are supplied with the saw. Several different widths of blade spacer are also available, allowing mounting of multiple blades or increasing the range of blade offset. the 0.75" Blade Spacers are supplied as standard. The blade position is controlled with a metric micrometer. An inch micrometer assembly is also available as an additional accessory.

Product Video

Ordering Information

The PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw is shipped with one each of the 75001 Single-axis Goniometer, the 75003 Double-clamp Sample Holder, and a 1" x 3" aluminum sample mount. This kit is sufficient for mounting and cutting most sample types. Please note, the PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw does not ship with a blade, as no one blade is appropriate for all applications. Please specify a blade when requesting a quote.

The NEW PELCO^® Precision Low Speed Saw Bio-Specimen Set (75000-B) includes all items needed for the cutting of hard biological specimens at a reduced cost than if purchased individually. The set includes all accessories included with the base saw with the addition of a 812-333 blade, 75019 Freeform Sample Holder, 75010 Splash Guard, additional sample mounts, and consumables.

All accessories can also be ordered individually.