FLOXLAB SG 200 Dual-Function Rock Sample Cutter and Grinder

Overview

The FLOXLAB SG 200 Dual-Function Rock Sample Cutter and Grinder is an engineered semi-automatic laboratory instrument designed for precise preparation of geological core and cuttings specimens in petroleum exploration, reservoir characterization, and upstream geoscience laboratories. It integrates two essential sample preparation functions—precision sawing and controlled surface grinding—within a single robust platform, eliminating the need for sequential handling across separate instruments and reducing cross-contamination risk. The device operates on the principle of abrasive material removal using diamond-impregnated or silicon carbide cutting wheels and straight-cup grinding wheels under continuous water coolant flow, ensuring thermal stability and dimensional fidelity during specimen sectioning. Its dual-position sample holder enables parallel processing of two standard 30×45 mm thin sections—or accommodates a single 60×45 mm specimen—supporting workflows aligned with ASTM D3740 (Standard Practice for Evaluation of Laboratories Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock), ISO 14688-1 (Geotechnical investigation and testing — Identification and classification of soil — Part 1), and industry-standard petrographic thin-section protocols.

Key Features

• Semi-automatic operation with mechanical feed control and ergonomic sample clamping system for repeatable positioning and operator safety.
• Dual-function architecture: integrated high-rigidity sawing station (φ200 mm cutting wheel) and co-located grinding module (φ200 mm straight-cup wheel, Grit 46), both driven by a single 3000 rpm induction motor with thermal overload protection.
• Water-cooling circuit with adjustable flow rate to suppress dust generation, prevent specimen overheating, and maintain microstructural integrity—critical for preserving pore geometry and mineral phase relationships in carbonate and clastic reservoir rocks.
• Modular sample stage accommodating standardized rock slab dimensions (30×45 mm or 60×45 mm), with optional custom fixture kits available for non-standard core diameters or irregular geometries.
• Compact footprint (640×340×350 mm) and 48 kg mass optimized for benchtop deployment in field labs, mobile geochemical units, and QA/QC facilities adhering to ISO/IEC 17025 space constraints.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SG 200 is validated for use with consolidated and semi-consolidated sedimentary rock types commonly encountered in petroleum systems—including sandstone, limestone, dolomite, shale, and tight gas sand cores. It supports preparation of specimens for subsequent analysis by SEM-EDS, XRD, thin-section petrography, and digital rock physics workflows. All mechanical and fluidic components comply with CE marking requirements (2006/42/EC Machinery Directive and 2014/30/EU EMC Directive). The water-based cooling system eliminates hydrocarbon-based lubricants, ensuring compatibility with environmental health and safety (EHS) policies in offshore and onshore drilling support labs. Device documentation includes traceable calibration records for positional repeatability (±0.1 mm per axis) and conforms to internal audit requirements for GLP-compliant geological sample preparation environments.

Software & Data Management

The SG 200 operates as a standalone hardware platform without embedded firmware or proprietary software. All operational parameters—including feed rate, cycle count, and coolant activation—are manually set via calibrated mechanical dials and toggle switches, ensuring deterministic behavior and long-term serviceability without dependency on vendor-specific drivers or cloud connectivity. This analog-digital hybrid design facilitates compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 and ISO 13485 environments where software validation overhead must be minimized. Lab managers may integrate usage logs into existing LIMS platforms (e.g., Thermo Fisher SampleManager, LabVantage) via manual entry or barcode-scanned work orders linked to specimen IDs. Audit trails are maintained through physical logbooks or electronic records documenting date, operator ID, specimen batch number, and dimensional verification measurements.

Applications

• Preparation of planar surfaces for porosity-permeability correlation studies in core flood experiments.
• Routine production of polished thin sections for optical microscopy-based lithofacies classification per AAPG Core Workshop guidelines.
• Surface conditioning of rock plugs prior to mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) analysis.
• Standardized trimming of sidewall cores for downhole tool calibration and formation evaluation model validation.
• Support of ISO 14689-1 (Rock description) and API RP 44 (Core Analysis Procedures) compliant sample workflows in contract laboratories serving IOC and NOC clients.

FAQ

Is the SG 200 compatible with diamond-impregnated cutting wheels?
Yes—the φ200 mm arbor accepts industry-standard diamond blades with ISO 4024 mounting specifications, enabling high-precision cutting of ultra-hard formations such as chert-bearing carbonates and volcaniclastic intervals.
Can the grinding module be used independently of the sawing function?
Yes—the straight-cup grinding wheel operates independently; the sample stage can be repositioned to bypass the cutting zone and engage only the grinding interface, supporting post-saw surface finishing or flatness correction.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the water-cooling system?
Coolant reservoir should be drained and refilled with deionized water every 120 operating hours; inline filter elements require replacement every 500 hours or per visual inspection for particulate accumulation.
Does FLOXLAB provide application support for thin-section preparation SOP development?
Yes—technical documentation includes a comprehensive 28-page Application Note (AN-SG200-01) covering alignment procedures, grit selection logic, and metrological verification methods aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.2.2.
Is electrical certification available for North American markets (UL/cUL)?
UL 61010-1 certification is available upon request for units ordered with NEMA 12-rated enclosure upgrade and 120 V / 60 Hz power configuration.