Lego Microtome

A what?
A microtome is a machine which cuts (usu.) biological specimens into very thin sections. The sections are typically mounted on microscope-slides.

This was an idea I had, I did it, and I've demonstrated it with garlic
It creates slices 250 microns thick*

*calculated

If anyone is actually thinking of building one of these see the last step. You can also PM me if you need more

L

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Step 1: Construction: base and mount runners

The specimen sits on a platform which is cranked forwards by gears. The mounting plate is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism geared very low from a hand crank, such that it moves .25mm with each turn of the handle. The platform rests on the red smooth-faced strips, which were lubricated with Johnson's Baby Oil (paraffin).

These images show the base of the device and the red runners for the specimen platform, also the final drive to the rack.

Punkguyta says: Apr 6, 2010. 8:51 AM

Impressive lemonie! Good work

lemonie (author) in reply to PunkguytaApr 6, 2010. 10:40 AM

I should get the Lego out again, and probably will.

L

Punkguyta in reply to lemonieApr 6, 2010. 12:17 PM

Ever since I was a kid I have been dying to get my hands on one of those lego mindstorm robotics kits (I've played/programmed with them before, they're a hoot!), but alas never have as they originally cost over $350!!!!

Do you have any good ideas for implementing something similar with regular lego? Like how would I go about making a robot/remote control car out of plain legos? I have a giant blue tub of lego from when I was a kid, and I'm sure super-glued together would make one hell of a sturdy frame if designed right?

What kind of software do you use to design lego builds? I know there is software that basically lets you build something on the computer first, before you try it, so you can make sure it will work.

ForgerOfPie in reply to PunkguytaSep 2, 2011. 5:21 PM

If you want something a bit cheaper, maybe you should try something like Arduino. It's not Lego-manufactured, but I've seen plenty of Arduinos users that have hacked lego Technic motors to control them. Mail me if you want resources.

And come on, this is INSTRUCTABLES.COM! I know you can find SOMETHING on here.

lemonie (author) in reply to PunkguytaApr 6, 2010. 12:51 PM

Go find the lego website (old link step 3) and they'll let you download Lego Digital Designer for free. I'm the sort of person that builds stuff, rather than designs though.
Yea, gluing a frame would work, I think what you want maybe that liquid-glue for making models with (kit military & such). The RC bit, I'd just pull from something else.

L

Cheezpaper says: May 20, 2011. 10:33 AM

Put a bug in there. Watch the yellow goo gush out.

lemonie (author) in reply to CheezpaperMay 21, 2011. 1:13 AM

Cruelty to insects is not one of my favorite pastimes. Still, I appreciate that you had an alternative thought about this.

L

michaelgohjs says: Feb 27, 2010. 10:40 PM

cool... btw can u please tell me the gear ratio u used between the blade crank and the shaft to move the garlic (i m familiar with lego parts)

lemonie (author) in reply to michaelgohjsMar 6, 2010. 1:21 PM

Step 7, 125:1

L

michaelgohjs in reply to lemonieMar 24, 2010. 6:27 AM

thx alot .. its gona take alot alot of gears and worm gears

totos says: Jan 19, 2010. 6:23 PM

superb!
I WANT ONE!!!

dissonum says: Aug 23, 2009. 6:27 AM

Excellent! As a histotech, I was shocked (SHOCKED!) to see the word "microtome" on the website. Very awesome.

astrong0 says: Aug 15, 2009. 1:45 PM

dude you could add a motor to it and make it automated (to a degree)!!

lemonie (author) in reply to astrong0Aug 15, 2009. 2:16 PM

Yes. comment Jul 21: I considered the motor drive, but preferred the control of one's hand. L

El Mano says: Aug 2, 2009. 12:35 PM

That's awesome!

lemonie (author) in reply to El ManoAug 2, 2009. 12:50 PM

(the pictures were the worst part...) L

264

scoochmaroo says: Jul 21, 2009. 10:34 AM

Looks like it could easily be automated? I mean if I were using it to cut garlic and not samples. I have way more garlic around.

lemonie (author) in reply to scoochmarooJul 21, 2009. 11:15 AM

I thought about a garlic press / mincer, but you know what they can be like to clean. I considered the motor drive, but preferred the control of one's hand. L

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scoochmaroo in reply to lemonieJul 21, 2009. 11:47 AM

totally! I finally invested in a mandolin. I'm going to throw out those chopper things. They look so promising on tv.

fusion in reply to scoochmarooAug 1, 2009. 2:35 PM

i wanted to get a mandolin as well, times being what they are and realizing that i only needed it for very thin things, i got the titan peeler with the slicing attachment. works great. plus the julienne. it was a good substitute for the 50$ truffle slicer i was going to get. i'm probably going to do this for dehydrating truffles tho.

Rotten194 in reply to scoochmarooJul 22, 2009. 6:29 AM

Slap Chop! You're gonna slap all your troubles away with the Slap Chop!

corey_caffeine in reply to scoochmarooJul 21, 2009. 12:23 PM

yes but didn't you love his nuts?

madhops0620 in reply to corey_caffeineJul 23, 2009. 2:51 PM

conrad2468 in reply to corey_caffeineJul 21, 2009. 1:58 PM

Itll dry your sweaters............wine coffee cola.......

swimmer95 says: Jul 29, 2009. 6:21 AM

its to hard to see the pictures!!!! and i want to build it!!

lemonie (author) in reply to swimmer95Jul 29, 2009. 10:42 AM

Yes, I wanted to use LDD but it wouldn't work. Had trouble getting the contrasts with a camera, but couldn't improve on this. L

swimmer95 in reply to lemonieJul 30, 2009. 5:45 AM

well i got about half way and then i couldnt finish because i did something wrong early

swimmer95 says: Jul 29, 2009. 8:23 AM

how do u get the left rail on!!!!! help me!!!

lemonie (author) in reply to swimmer95Jul 29, 2009. 10:41 AM

Step 3: I had two images the wrong way around, sorry about that. The 5th shows the grey piece with connectors that form part of the front rail guide for the blade (the other side is almost identical). Image 6 shows the rest of this assembly (yellow & grey) and image 7 shows the same piece (complete) for the other side - that one is easy to fit a a complete unit. If this isn't what you're asking about, let me know which step. L

ReCreate says: Jul 24, 2009. 6:48 PM

Wow, 200 Microns O_o

lemonie (author) in reply to ReCreateJul 25, 2009. 12:12 AM

Didn't I say 250? L

ReCreate in reply to lemonieJul 25, 2009. 9:41 AM

about 200 Microns...

Dr.Paj says: Jul 21, 2009. 8:53 PM

I've made one of these before. I only used a spool from sewing string, and a eyelet with a long screw (for hanging things such as swings etc.) and just screw it into the circular opening of the spool. You then would place the object you are cutting (carrot, union, human finger, etc) inside the spools hole. So when u twist the eyelet clockwise it slowly moves the object you are cutting forward. Then cut what protrudes from the end of the spool with a razor blade. This way is way less cool, and its a little more dangerous because you have to handle the blade by hand, but its much faster, and it doesn't require Legos.

lemonie (author) in reply to Dr.PajJul 21, 2009. 11:20 PM

I think I see that idea, what were you slicing? L

Dr.Paj in reply to lemonieJul 24, 2009. 10:47 AM

Anything that fits in the spool that is easily cut by the razor blade. Mainly vegetables so you could look at the cell structure under the microscope.

lemonie (author) in reply to Dr.PajJul 24, 2009. 11:36 AM

Hmm, I almost bought a cheap microscope, cheap and not finding a web-cam to go with it were the only things stopping me...

L