Grinder Systems And Methods For Grinding Samples

A grinder system for grinding at least one sample in a sample block, the grinder system comprising:

• a housing assembly including a first member and a second member, the first member configured to couple to a sample block and including a first air port and a first sensor, and the second member including a second air port and a second sensor;
• a cylinder coupled between the first member and the second member of the housing assembly, the cylinder defining a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder;
• at least one rail assembly including a rod extending parallel to the cylinder and a spring positioned about the rod, the housing assembly and the cylinder configured to linearly move along the rod in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• a piston positioned in the bore of the cylinder and configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder;
• and
• a controller in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the controller configured to receive a feedback signal from the first sensor or the second sensor indicative of a position of the piston in the bore of the cylinder, and in response to the feedback signal, control air pressure in the cylinder via the first air port and the second air port, to thereby linearly move the piston in a direction opposite a direction of movement of the housing assembly and the cylinder, and agitate at least one grinding device in the sample block to grind at least one sample.

A grinder system for grinding at least one sample in a sample block, the grinder system comprising:

• a first support configured to hold a sample block and move the sample block, the sample block configured to hold at least one sample and at least one grinding device for grinding the at least one sample as the first support moves the sample block;
• a second support configured to cover the sample block;
• and
• a clamping device configured to releasably secure the second support to the first support to thereby secure the sample block between the first support and the second support, wherein the clamping device includes a clutch configured to automatically tighten the second support to the first support as the first support moves the sample block.