Buehler PetroThin Sectioning Machine | Rock & Mineral Thin Section Machine
The PetroThin Thin Sectioning Machine is a specialized, high-precision instrument designed for the rapid preparation of 30-micron thin sections from a variety of materials, including rocks, minerals, concrete, ceramics, and bone. Its unique single-spindle design houses both a diamond cut-off blade and a diamond cup grinding wheel, allowing operators to re-section and grind samples to final thickness without removing the glass slide. This ensures perfect parallelism and eliminates the errors common with multi-step transfers.
Equipped with a universal vacuum glass slide chuck and a built-in vacuum pump, the PetroThin securely holds standard petrographic slides (such as 27x46mm) during the entire process. Two precision micrometers control the cutting and grinding positions to an accuracy of ±5µm, making it the industry standard for geological and petrographic sample preparation. The fully enclosed, corrosion-resistant housing features a recirculating coolant system to prevent heat damage to delicate specimens.
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Technical Specification of Buehler PetroThin Sectioning Machine
System Performance
| Configuration | Single Spindle (Cut & Grind) |
| Motor Power | 1/3 HP [250 W] |
| Wheel Speed (60Hz) | 2200 rpm |
| Wheel Speed (50Hz) | 2100 rpm |
| Cut-Off Blade | 8 in [203 mm] Continuous Rim |
| Grinding Cup | 8 in [203 mm] Diamond Cup |
| Thickness Precision | ± 5 µm (Micrometer Controlled) |
| Slide Holding | Vacuum Chuck (Built-in Pump) |
Dimensions & Utilities
| Machine Dims (WxDxH) |
23.5 x 19 x 16 in [597 x 483 x 406 mm] |
| Weight | 96 lbs [44 kg] |
| Vacuum Capacity | 20 in Hg (approx) |
| Filter System | In-line Vacuum Filter w/ Auto-Drain |
| Coolant System | Recirculating (Water/Glycol/Oil) |
| Micrometer 1 | Cutting Position Control |
| Micrometer 2 | Grinding Thickness Control |
| Compliance | CE Directives |
Key Features & Benefits of Buehler PetroThin Sectioning Machine
Key Features
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Single Spindle Design: Both the cutting blade and grinding cup are mounted on one shaft for perfect alignment. -
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Vacuum Slide Chuck: Universal chuck uses vacuum pressure to firmly hold slides without adhesives. -
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Micrometer Control: Two precision micrometers allow for ±5µm accuracy in cutting and grinding steps. -
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In-Line Vacuum Filter: Protects the pump from moisture and debris, with an auto-drain feature. -
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Corrosion Resistant: Built with stainless steel and molded polymer components for long life. -
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Dual Action Arm: Sample arm swings smoothly between the cut-off blade and the grinding cup.
User Benefits
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Superior Parallelism: Eliminates re-mounting errors, ensuring the entire thin section is even. -
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High Throughput: Prepare a finished thin section in minutes compared to hours with manual lapping. -
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Standardized Results: Achieve consistent 30-micron thickness regardless of operator skill level. -
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Versatile Usage: Handles standard 27x46mm slides as well as 1×2″, 1×3″, and 2×3″ formats. -
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Clean Operation: Enclosed splash guard and vacuum system keep the lab clean and safe. -
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All-in-One Solution: Combines resectioning and thinning in a single compact benchtop unit.
Ordering Information
| PetroThin Thin Sectioning System | |
|---|---|
| System Configuration | |
| Part Number | Voltage |
| 38-1450-160 | 115VAC, 60Hz (Includes Diamond Blade & Cup Wheel) |
| 38-1450-250 | 220VAC, 50Hz (Includes Diamond Blade & Cup Wheel) |
Consumables and Accessories
Diamond Blade
8-inch Continuous Rim Blade for Sectioning
Grinding Cup
8-inch Diamond Cup Wheel for Thinning
PetroBond™
Thin Section Bonding Fixture
Dressing Stick
Maintains Blade and Wheel Sharpness
Flange Set
Precision Flanges for Secure Blade Mounting
PetroVue™
Thin Section Viewer for Thickness Control
Having both the cut-off blade and grinding cup on a single spindle ensures that the glass slide remains in the exact same plane for both operations. This eliminates the need to remove and remount the slide, guaranteeing excellent parallelism.
Yes, the PetroThin is specifically designed for this purpose. The precision micrometers allow operators to grind samples down to 30 microns or even less (20 microns) for specialized applications like concrete petrography.
No, the PetroThin has a built-in vacuum pump to operate the slide chuck. It also features an in-line filter to protect the pump from water and slurry during operation.
The universal vacuum chuck faceplate is designed to hold standard 27 x 46 mm slides, as well as 1 x 2 inch, 1 x 3 inch, and 2 x 3 inch slides without requiring additional adapters.
Absolutely. The PetroThin is widely used in civil engineering labs for preparing thin sections of concrete and aggregates to analyze porosity, microcracks, and mineral composition.
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