To use the CPM-2 with a microscope the following is required: A fixed stage, X-Y stage manipulator for standard microscope slides, low power (4x or 6x) and high power (20x to 40x) objectives.(High power should be long working distance type). The components of the CPM-2 are a pipette holder that is held by the stage X-Y manipulator, an air jet with heating element for curing silicone, a polishing filament with its own X-Y-Z manipulator, protective covers for the low and high power objectives and a control box. (An X-Y positioner for the pipette can be supplied)

The control box is divided between coating and polishing modes. Dual needle valves control the air flow so two independent, adjustable, flow rates can be selected with a toggle switch. The current is regulated from separate controls for coating and for polishing. The current is displayed via a meter when the footswitch is activated.

For curing the silicone, the flowing air is heated by adjusting the current control and activating the footswitch. For polishing the tip, the polishing filament is moved into position in front of the pipette tip under high power. The polishing mode is selected via the front panel. Activating the footswitch heats the filament and polishes the tip. Cool air flows over the pipette tip to prevent contamination.