Micro-Drill

The main focus of the microsampling facility at Durham is in the isotopic fingerprinting of the mineral components that characterise most magmatic rocks. The MicroMill, manufactured by Merchantek/New Wave is a microsampling device designed for high resolution milling to recover sample powder for chemical and isotopic analysis. The micromilling hardware essentially consists of :

• A high resolution stereo microscope and color CCD video camera for sample viewing and online digitization of images
• Fine resolution (.25 micron) automated XYZ stages with 2 inch travel
• High precision, low eccentricity, high torque DC milling chuck with adjustable speed, using tungsten carbide tipped or hardened cobalt steel milling tools for high resolution micromilling