News



We just exhibited at the KSM spring conference with our distributor SIMS.
The meeting itself was held at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.
We introduced our knives including the new models and Japanese microtome.
This Japanese microtome will be a good or even better alternative to RMC equipment because it has higher stiffness of the holder and the movement is more precise than Leica and RMC microtomes.
https://www.yamato-web.co.jp/ 
 

 



If you could cut and observe your samples by microtome and SEM or TEM, that would be great.
We understand many people want to do it, however in reality it is difficult to do the above method.
Generally people tend to use polishing or FIB for checking their samples.
Even if this way is the mainstream of research recently, we still insist on trying to cut your samples with microtomes.
Of course it is nothing more than a dream while you are using existing knives.
Nevertheless, once you use our knives, not using famous Giant’s products, you will see the other face of your resin blocks.
If you prepare a good fixation of your samples, a high rigidity microtome and a great cutting tool, you will change your mind drastically.
That is what we wanted to do for a long time and your dreams come true with SYM Knife.

 

Official KSM Website is here

 

2025/05/21 11:05


We just exhibited our knives at the AAT47 conference in Bensaen beach resort in Chonburi, Thailand.
Our official Thai distributor Absotec supported us a lot!
*AAT stands for Anatomy Association of Thailand
This is the first time to show our knives to people who belong to the anatomical research field.
We had 3 days for the meeting and a total of 400 people were gathering to that fabulous resort hotel. 
 

 



Observing by Electron Microscopy is not a popular method yet in Thailand, however someday it may come like the other countries.
*Many people are choosing Light Microscopes at this moment
Probably this field itself doesn’t need ultrathin sections.
5 micron thickness might be good enough.Even so, our Tungsten Carbide knife, that is Metalica, is able to cut sections between 1 micron and 20 micon very well.
Cutting results by Metalica are much better than existing other metal knives for sure.
As you might know, over 3 micron thickness is difficult to cut with diamond knives.
You may cut that zone with a glass knife, but the quality of the glass knife edge is always unstable.
If you need some demands for this range of sections, Metalica is definitely the great choice to try. 

 

Official AAT47 Website is here

 

2025/04/14 08:55




We improved our Noventa recently.
Noventa itself was evaluated by many microtome users, especially those who are making a lot of ribbons for 3D structure.
At the same time, some people, maybe including you, feel “why can’t I set the glass plate in a longitudinal direction?”
Yes, the previous model boat width was narrower than the standard glass plate size(25.4mm).


We understand this claim seriously and made the boat size wider than before.
As you might know, this knife was designed to put a glass plate into the boat from the right or left side only.
Or you have to cut the glass plate smaller by yourself. It is OK if you could do it, but cutting is not for everybody.
As you might have realized, once we cover both ends of the blade, you cannot use those parts for trimming(cutting).
From now on, it is possible to put the plate from the backside smoothly.
In any case, wouldn’t it be nice to get more options of knife usage.
Just try our Neo Noventa!




Some people have mentioned the safety of our Metalica because the blade part is exposed.
If you take care of it carefully, it is hard to get injured with the edge of both ends, we estimate.
Even so, we have to value those voices from the users’ side.
After we considered how to materialize those requests, we succeeded in covering the sharp parts.


As you might have realized, once we cover both ends of the blade, you cannot use those parts for trimming(cutting).
Yes, it’s true but this is the trade-off relationship between practical and safety.
Protecting employees from external wounds is one of the most important precautions of your organization.
If you don’t need to worry about unexpected injury, you may say this is an “easy-to-use” knife.




We made a new shape of Metalica recently for trimming.
As you can see in the left photo, it has a 45-degree diagonal on the right and left side.
Those parts are available to cut blocks the same as the flat part(2.4mm width) in the center.
Means, it would be a great alternative for your current tools.


As you might know, this Metalica is suitable to trim the resin blocks.
It is possible to use much longer time than glass knives and the sharpness of the edge is much more stable than glass.
Of course the price is lower than the diamond trimming knife.
It means, you just need it for trimming, don’t you think?
Plus, this knife cuts the semi-thin sections between 1 micron to 20 micron thickness.
You may say “Adios!” to your current trimming tools and try this Metalica-Diago!
This is a very handy, useful and sustainable tool for your sample preparation for sure.

2025/01/21 13:31




Our knives have tried to use many new observations so far.
We will introduce some of them below.
Each article is very impressive and they are worth reading.
You will probably get a new method of using knives especially with our characteristic models like MGH, JUMBO with steps and Marking needle.
Of course normal types such as for room temperature and cryo work well, too.
It would be great if you have new ideas from some of them.


[ MGH ]
https://academic.oup.com/jmicro/article/67/suppl_2/i32/5145451


[ JUMBO ]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gtc.13053 https://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/285321/1/sciadv.adf6358.pdf


[ JUMBO for Array Tomography ]
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11059521/


[ Marking needle / Notch knife ]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38450734/
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/pjab/advpub/0/advpub_pjab.100.035/_html/-char/en


[ SYM2045: RT Ultra ]
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45825-8


[ Cryo Ultra ]
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-023-00810-8
We will let you notice the others later!




We will inform you that Syntek will have year-end through New Year holiday breaks from Saturday 28th of December 2023 to Sunday 5th of January 2025.
During this shutdown period, we will be unable to receive any deliveries for goods and services to us, Syntek.
We will start both our office and factory again from Monday 6th of January.


As we explained previously, we have 12 different zodiac signs that are based in Chinese history here in Japan.
The animal symbol will be changed from Dragon to Snake in 2025.
If you were born in 1941, ’53, ’65, ’77, ’89, 2001 or ’13, your zodiac is the “Snake!”
Snake is symbolized as “rebirth”, “infinite potential”, “perpetual youth and longevity” and “economic fortune.”
Many people are still not sure what’s going on around the world right now and where we are going exactly.
Even so, let’s conquer all difficulties and go up higher from our current position.
We really believe the best is yet to come with you.
We hope you will have a lot of good times next year, but take head the snake in the grass.
Talk to you soon and have wonderful holidays!
Very best wishes from Tokyo,

2024/11/15 20:59




We will inform you of our new techniques for making tiny edges of the diamonds.
If you have stylus profilers for measuring surface roughness or tracing the desired path of materials, our technology is suitable to you.
We will probably create the stylus for the top following your demands.


The measurements always need to be repeatable, reliable and accurate, as you know. Of course, the measurement quality depends on the hardware’s specifications, on the other hand, stylus, especially the top diamond part, is also a key point at the same time.
As you can see in the left photo, we are able to create that sensitive part by ourselves.
We would say the edge radius will be 2 micron or 5 micron.
If you use a good stylus on your equipment, your capability will be widened.  Don’t you think so?




We got useful information for you. Now we have some stock of our knives as below.
If you order any model(s), we will finish it(them) just 1 week.
If you need a knife urgently or you have some budget that you have to consume at the end of fiscal year, it might be a good opportunity to get products without waiting time.
If you have some demands, please let us know.


As you might know, every model is limited in number.
We provide those items on a “first-come-first-served basis.”
Means, they are subject to prior sales.
There is a possibility when you ask for a knife, it is already sold out.  Sorry in that case.

Usage

Model

Angle

Width

Stock Quantity

Ultra / Wet SYM2035 35° 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) 4 pieces
Ultra / Wet SYM2045 45° 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) 7 pieces
Ultra / Wet SYM2545 45° 2.5mm (2.5 to 2.7mm) 2 pieces
Ultra / Wet SYM3035 35° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 4 pieces
Ultra / Wet SYM3045 45° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 13 pieces
Ultra / Wet SYM4045 45° 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) 2 pieces
Cryo / Dry SYM2035D 35° 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) 2 pieces
Cryo / Dry SYM2045D 45° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 3 pieces
Cryo / Dry SYM3035D 35° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 2 pieces
Cryo / Dry SYM3045D 45° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 5 pieces
Histo / Wet SYM3045H 45° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 2 pieces
Histo / Wet SYM3050H 50° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 5 pieces
Histo / Wet SYM6050H 50° 6.0mm (6.0 to 6.2mm) 1 piece
Histo / Wet SYM8045H 45° 8.0mm (8.0 to 8.2mm) 1 piece
Histo / Wet SYM8050H 50° 8.0mm (8.0 to 8.2mm) 2 pieces
Histo / Dry (Cryo) SYM3050HD 50° 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) 2 pieces
Cross-Trim / RT SYM2545TM 45° 2.5mm (2.5 to 2.7mm) 1 piece
Cross-Trim / RT SYM2590TM 90° 2.5mm (2.5 to 2.7mm) 1 piece
Cross-Trim / Cryo SYM2545TMC 45° 2.5mm (2.5 to 2.7mm) 1 piece
Cross-Trim / Cryo SYM2590TMC 90° 2.5mm (2.5 to 2.7mm) 1 piece
Metalica / 100 WC100 45° 10.0mm 5 pieces
Metalica / 300 WC300 45° 30.0mm 1 piece




We started to produce a rough cutter again from many customers’ requests.
As you might imagine, nobody uses a Polishmaster anymore for more than 10 years here in Japan.
That’s why our business was also extinguished at the same time.
Nevertheless, there are many engraving companies still making cylinders by Polishmaster in other countries.


If you are not satisfied with your current use of a rough cutter by its quality, price, delivery time or other reasons, why don’t you try our model one time?
It might be a good opportunity to compare different models.
In our case, we do a “secret method” on the finishing.
You will probably get more beautiful surface roughness and longevity at the same time.