Sample preparation saw

A sample preparation saw, comprising:

• a base;
• a saw assembly mounted to the base, the saw assembly including
• a blade assembly having a rotating blade, the blade assembly movable in directions along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis being mutually orthogonal, and
• at least two drives for moving the blade assembly in the directions of at least two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis;
• and
• a turret assembly, and the at least two drives including
• a first drive for moving the blade assembly along the x-axis,
• a second drive for moving the blade assembly along the y-axis, and
• a third drive for moving the blade assembly along the z-axis,
• wherein the first drive and the third drive are mounted to the turret assembly and the second drive moves the turret assembly along the y-axis;
• and
• a reservoir system operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade of the blade assembly.

A sample preparation saw, comprising:

• a base;
• a saw assembly mounted to the base, the saw assembly including:
• a blade assembly having a rotating blade, the blade assembly movable in directions along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis being mutually orthogonal, the blade assembly including:
• a telescopic shaft for imparting rotational movement to the rotating blade, and
• a blade drive for rotationally driving the rotating blade via the telescopic shaft, wherein the blade assembly moves along the x-axis in a reciprocating movement of the telescopic shaft by one of the at least two drives for moving the blade assembly;
• and
• at least two drives for moving the blade assembly in the directions of at least two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis;
• and
• a reservoir system operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade of the blade assembly.

A sample preparation saw, comprising:

• a base;
• a saw assembly mounted to the base, the saw assembly including
• a blade assembly having a rotating blade, the blade assembly movable in directions along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis being mutually orthogonal, and
• at least two drives for moving the blade assembly in the directions of at least two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis;
• a dressing assembly, comprising:
• a rotatable dressing wheel;
• a pivoting mount for pivoting the rotatable dressing wheel into and out of contact with the rotating blade;
• a pivot drive for pivoting the rotatable dressing wheel into and out of contact with the rotating blade;
• and
• a dressing wheel drive for rotating the rotatable dressing wheel,
• wherein the rotatable dressing wheel is rotated in an indexed manner so as to expose an unused portion of the dressing wheel to the rotating blade;
• and
• a reservoir system operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade of the blade assembly.

A sample preparation saw, comprising:

• a base;
• a saw assembly mounted to the base, the saw assembly including
• a blade assembly having a rotating blade, the blade assembly movable in directions along an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis,
• at least two drives configured to move the blade assembly along at least two of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis, and
• a turret assembly, wherein at least one of the at least two drives for moving the blade assembly is mounted to the turret assembly;
• and
• a reservoir system operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade of the blade assembly, the reservoir system including a basin having a pump positioned in the basin, the basin having a series of weirs.