The Pelcon Automatic Thin Section Machine is designed for the production of thin section specimens of concrete, rocks, sand or aggregate samples to be used for optical polarization microscopy and petrographic/microstructural analysis.

All cutting, grinding and finishing operations are performed automatically on the machine without any need for hand-held grinding. This ensures the stable production of thin sections with an even thickness over the whole area of the specimen, as well as a reproducible thickness from thin section to thin section.

For most purposes (including standard petrographic analysis) the thin sections can be used directly after a cover glass is mounted.
In case of need for SEM analysis or extremely minute optical analysis, the thin sections may need to be polished, e.g. using diamond spray of 9 microns and downwards. This operation is not covered by the Pelcon Automatic Thin Section Machine, but requires the Pelcon Automatic Polishing Machine.

 Presentation video:

 Demonstration video:

Grinding - Setting up and getting started:

Fluorescence impregnated thin sections are excellent for:
· General petrography
· Mineralogy
· Micro porosity / Cracking
· Damage diagnosis
· Quality control
· Consultancy
· Research

The predecessor of the Pelcon Automatic Thin Section Machine:
· In use at Universities, Accredited Laboratories, Research Institutions and Consultancies
· Over 30,000 thin sections by one machine

New driving system (Patent pending):

Specimens are fixed by the two-sided vacuum holder for grinding of both blocks and final thin sections. The vacuum-holder with the specimen is moved gently over the rotating diamond roller by the silent low-pressure driving unit. This gives constant grinding pressure and results in improved and very high quality thin sections.

The Pelcon Automatic Thin Section Machine requires:
· 110-220 V AC
· Cooling water
· Vacuum pump for the machine (included)
· Vacuum impregnation chamber*
· UV-lamp for UV-hardening glue*