KMR3

A glass knifemaker is a sample-preparation instrument used to produce glass blades for sectioning work. Glass knives are commonly used for specimen trimming and for sectioning tasks in microscopy preparation workflows. A knifemaker typically supports microtome or ultramicrotome work rather than performing specimen sectioning by itself.

The Leica EM KMR3 is built around a balanced-break concept in which the instrument simultaneously moves two breaking pins to apply the same force to each side of the glass strip. The Leica EM KMR3 uses high-precision steel hemispheres to minimize glass surface contact during the break. The Leica EM KMR3 has a scoring mechanism operated by a push action to produce an even score before breaking. The Leica EM KMR3 provides two selectable scoring lengths. The Leica EM KMR3 automatically resets the scoring mechanism after the break. The Leica EM KMR3 also automatically resets the breaking mechanism after the break.^[4][5][6]

The Leica EM KMR3 uses a precision click stop for glass-strip alignment and a defined clamp position for the breaking head. The Leica EM KMR3 includes a breaking wheel with defined positions. The Leica EM KMR3 includes a drawer for glass knife removal without additional tools. The Leica EM KMR3 can create glass knives from 6.4 mm, 8 mm, or 10 mm glass strips.^[4][5]

The Leica KMR3 fits in specimen preparation before sectioning and imaging. The Leica KMR3 provides the glass knives used for trimming and rough cutting of specimens, which places it upstream of microtome or ultramicrotome cutting and upstream of electron microscopy observation.^[1]

Glass knives are used where a fresh cutting edge is needed for specimen shaping or section preparation in microscopy workflows. Such knives are common in laboratories preparing embedded biological or materials samples for inspection at higher magnification. The knifemaker therefore serves sample preparation rather than analytical measurement.