Leica Biosystems Microtome Comparison Guide
What are the important features when choosing a microtome? Here is an easy-to-use microtome guide to help you through the process. Leica Biosystems rotary microtomes give skilled microtomists the precision, control and comfort they need to get the best from every block. Our rotary microtomes provide you the consistency required to deliver high-quality sectioning and maintain optimized workflows.
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
-
Image
| Type | Mechanical | Mechanical | Semi-Motorized | Motorized |
| Nominal Supply Voltage | N/A | N/A | 100 / 120 / 230 / 240 V AC | 100 / 120 / 230 / 240 V AC |
| Nominal Frequency | N/A | N/A | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz |
| Maximum Power Consumption | N/A | N/A | 40 VA | 100 VA |
| Protection Class | N/A | N/A | I | I |
| Power Fuses | N/A | N/A | 2 x T 1.0 AL, 250V | 2 x T 1.0 AL, 250V |
| Pollution Degree | N/A | N/A | 2 | 2 |
| Overvoltage Category | N/A | N/A | II | II |
| Maximum Heat Emission | N/A | N/A | 40 J/s | 100 J/s |
| Operating Temperature Range | +18°C to +30°C | +18°C to +30°C | +18°C to +30°C | +18°C to +30°C |
| Temperature Range During Storage | +5°C to +50°C | +5°C to +50°C | +5°C to +50°C | +5°C to +50°C |
| Relative Humidity During Operation | 20% to Max. 80% Non-Condensing | 20% to Max. 80% Non-Condensing | 20% to Max. 80% Non-Condensing | 20% to Max. 80% Non-Condensing |
| Relative Humidity During Storage | 10% to Max. 85% Non-Condensing | 10% to Max. 85% Non-Condensing | 10% to Max. 85% Non-Condensing | 10% to Max. 85% Non-Condensing |
| Width (including handwheel and coarse feed wheel) | 438 mm | 477 mm | 477 mm | 477 mm |
| Depth (including waste tray) | 472 mm | 620 mm | 620 mm | 620 mm |
| Height (without top tray): | 265 mm | 295 mm | 295 mm | 295 mm |
| Weight (without accessories) | Approx. 29 kg | Approx. 31 kg | Approx. 31 kg | Approx. 40 kg |
| Specimen Feed | 25 mm | approx. 24 mm ±2 mm | approx. 24 mm ±1 mm | approx. 24 mm ±1 mm |
| Vertical Stroke | 59 mm 50 x 50 x 40 mm NA |
70 mm ±1 mm Large Standard Clamp: 55 x 50 x 30 mm Super Clamp: 68 x 48 x 15 mm |
70 mm ±1 mm Large Standard Clamp: 55 x 50 x 30 mm Super Clamp: 68 x 48 x 15 mm |
70 mm ±1 mm Large Standard Clamp: 55 x 50 x 30 mm Super Clamp: 68 x 48 x 15 mm |
| Motorized Sectioning Speeds | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 - 420 mm/s ±10% |
| Specimen Retraction | In Manual Sectioning Mode: Approx. 20 µm (can be turned off) In Motorized Sectioning Mode: N/A |
In Manual Sectioning Mode: Approx. 40 µm (can be turned off) In Motorized Sectioning Mode: N/A |
In Manual Sectioning Mode: 5 - 100 µm (in 5 µm increments); can be turned off In Motorized Sectioning Mode: N/A |
In Manual Sectioning Mode: 5 - 100 µm (in 5 µm increments); can be turned off In Motorized Sectioning Mode: Speed-Dependent; can be turned off |
| Specimen Orientation | ± 8° (Horizontal and Vertical) | ± 8° (Horizontal and Vertical) | ± 8° (Horizontal and Vertical) | ± 8° (Horizontal and Vertical) |
| Section Thickness Settings | Range: 0.5 - 60 µm Setting Values: 0.5 - 2 µm (in 0.5 µm increments) 2 - 10 µm (in 1 µm increments) 10 - 20 µm (in 2 µm increments) 20 - 60 µm (in 5 µm increments) |
Range: 1 - 60 µm Setting Values: 1 - 10 µm (in 1 µm increments) 10 - 20 µm (in 2 µm increments) 20 - 60 µm (in 5 µm increments) |
Range: 0.5 - 100 µm Setting Values: 0.5 - 5 µm (in 0.5 µm increments) 5 - 20 µm (in 1 µm increments) 20 - 60 µm (in 5 µm increments) 60 - 100 µm (in 10 µm increments) |
Range: 0.5 - 100 µm Setting Values: 0.5 - 5 µm (in 0.5 µm increments) 5 - 20 µm (in 1 µm increments) 20 - 60 µm (in 5 µm increments) 60 - 100 µm (in 10 µm increments) |
| Trimming Section Thickness Settings | Range: 10 µm and 50 µm (push lever down during trimming) Setting Values: N/A |
Range: 10 µm, 30 µm Setting Values: N/A |
Range: 1 - 600 µm Setting Values: 1 - 10 µm (in 1 µm increments) 10 - 20 µm (in 2 µm increments) 20 - 50 µm (in 5 µm increments) 50 - 100 µm (in 10 µm increments) 100 - 600 µm (in 50 µm increments) |
Range: 1 - 600 µm Setting Values: 1 - 10 µm (in 1 µm increments) 10 - 20 µm (in 2 µm increments) 20 - 50 µm (in 5 µm increments) 50 - 100 µm (in 10 µm increments) 100 - 600 µm (in 50 µm increments) |
| Handwheel Balance System | ||||
| Handwheel Lock / Brake | 2 Mechanical Locks | 2 Mechanical Locks | 2 Mechanical Locks | 2 Mechanical Locks, 1 Electronic Brake |
| Safety Hand Wheel | N/A | N/A | N/A | Handle can be Centered |
| Coarse Feed Wheel Turn Direction | User-Selectable - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise | User-Selectable - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise | User-Selectable - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise | User-Selectable - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise |
| Waste Tray | Type: Standard |
Type: Antistatic Volume: 1400 ml |
Type: Antistatic Volume: 1400 ml |
Type: Antistatic Volume: 1400 ml |
| Remaining Feed Indicator | N/A | Visual | Visual and Acoustical | Visual and Acoustical |
| Precision-Orientation System | ||||
| Force Balance System | ||||
| 2-in-1 Blade Holder | ||||
| Specimen Cooling Option with RM CoolClamp | ||||
| Antistatic Waste Tray | ||||
| Silent Retraction | ||||
| Personalized Coarse Feed Wheel | ||||
| Fast Homing | ||||
| Memory Position | ||||
| Electronic Brake | ||||
| Request a Quote | Request a Quote | Request a Quote | Request a Quote |
Leica Biosystems content is subject to the Leica Biosystems website terms of use, available at: Legal Notice. The content, including webinars, training presentations and related materials is intended to provide general information regarding particular subjects of interest to health care professionals and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, medical, regulatory or legal advice. The views and opinions expressed in any third-party content reflect the personal views and opinions of the speaker(s)/author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views or opinions of Leica Biosystems, its employees or agents. Any links contained in the content which provides access to third party resources or content is provided for convenience only.
For the use of any product, the applicable product documentation, including information guides, inserts and operation manuals should be consulted.
Copyright © 2025 Leica Biosystems division of Leica Microsystems, Inc. and its Leica Biosystems affiliates. All rights reserved. LEICA and the Leica Logo are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.