The Electron Microscopy Sciences Precision Lapping and Polishing Fixtures are designed to accurately produce polished parallel, tapered or critically oriented samples with minimal sub-surface damage. A series of specialized fixtures has been developed for lapping and polishing samples up to 6" in diameter, TEM samples and oriented crystals. In addition to size and shape, the fixtures differ in the type of thickness control techniques they employ. The Lapping and Polishing Fixtures are designed to be used either by hand or with a lapping machine (Model 920 above). Sample Mounting Fixtures are also designed to be used in conjunction with these fixtures to ensure that the sample is mounted parallel to the mounting block and that a thin, uniform layer of wax exists between the mounting block and the sample.
Micrometer Controlled Fixtures
The micrometer method of thickness control employs a dial with 25 micron or finer graduations, that is adjusted relative to the outside support ring to set the amount of material to be removed. To set the dial, the sample is initially zeroed against the lapping plate and then the dial is adjusted to create a gap between the outside support ring and the center slide. This gap corresponds to the amount of material to be removed and gradually decreases, as the sample is lapped or polished, until the final thickness is reached. The load on the sample is varied by adding weights or finger pressure to the top of the fixture. Due to the ease of adjustment, a micrometer controlled fixture is generally used when desired sample thickness will vary from sample to sample