How can I avoid chatter (Venetian Blind effect/washboard/undulations)?
• The clearance angle is too big: Clearance angle adjustment; systematically decrease the clearance angle until the optimum adjustment is obtained. • A damage to the pressure plate exists (bent/nicked): Replace the pressure plate. • An insufficient clamping of the blade, the knife holder, the specimen and/or the orientation might cause this problem. Please check the clamping points and repeat the clamping of levers and screws of the specimen and knife holder system. Check the front pressure plate for wear. If the round on the lever is worn, then replace the lever. • You might use incompatible blades. The blade is possibly too thin, causing flex if the specimen is too hard: Try using a different brand or grade of blades. • The high profile knife may be too thick: Try using a different brand or grade of blades. • Wax is built-up on the back of the front pressure plate: Remove and clean the rear of the pressure plate. • It might be an application issue, not a microtome problem: Infiltrati
