Microtome cassette holder (PROTOTYPE)

thingiverse

We got a microtome at work but the clamp didn't fit the cassettes that our paraffin blocks were already mounted on. This adapter is designed to fit a Yidi Rotary Microtome YD-202 (also marketed as Brunel YD Rotary Microtome). The fit of the parts needs a little work, but I only need to make one so it would take me longer to fix than to get the file out. You will need to sand the surface of the rider and the recess it fits into. Take your time and don't force it. You may also need to drill out the holes if they are a little tight (3.5 mm diameter bit works nicely for the M3 screw). The parts were designed for PLA printing with 50% infill. You will also need two M3 nuts, one fits inside the main body of the adapter through the slot in the front and be careful not to push it in too far. The other is to hold the knob on the end of the long screw. A washer and a spring are also required (I used one from an old pen). Not sure if it works in the microtome but it clamps the TissueTek cassette I had to play with. There may be a few errors in the files, but Cura 2.5.0 sliced the stl files okay. Update: It seems to work in the microtome (see blurry phone-camera picture). A model of the cassette that was used while designing the holder has also been included. I haven't printed this and it's only there so you have an idea of the style of cassette that the holder was designed to grip. Update 16/10/17: Two modified versions of the "rider" are now available which should hopefully resist snapping.