My supervisor during my graduate studies once said that the quality of your metallographic specimen is not determined by the quality of the metallographic polishing machine, but by multiple factors. I didn't quite understand this at the time, but after years of work practice, I now understand.

The quality of metallographic sample grinding directly affects the authenticity and effectiveness of the results of metallographic structure analysis of materials. For metallographic structure analysis, the level of sample preparation directly affects the level of metallographic analysis, thus affecting the process and results of material research. This is an unusual key. For Metallography scientists, nothing is more important than this.
In the entire process of metallographic sample preparation, the use of metallographic polishing machines for grinding and polishing metallographic samples accounts for almost 80% of the workload and process level of the entire sample preparation. In general, the single grinding and polishing process requires at least 4-6 steps, and is usually completed by a metallographic polishing machine. Therefore, the requirements for metallographic polishing machines are quite high.
There is a contradiction here, why is it not just because of the metallographic polishing machine that the metallographic sample is well ground?
I have been engaged in metallographic analysis for many years and have a deep understanding of this sentence from my mentor back then. Why do you say that? Do you think there are hundreds or thousands of materials for metallographic analysis, and the preparation methods also vary greatly. Putting aside the preparation of special material samples, common materials include: metals, ceramics, composite materials, printed circuit boards, electronic materials, polymers, etc; Metal is also divided into: Light metal, low melting point metal, Refractory metals, precious metal, hard alloy, etc. There are various materials, different applications, and different research directions, and of course, the preparation methods of samples are not the same. The differences in these preparations do not depend on the functional differences of the metallographic polishing machine, but only on the design of the process steps and the selection of grinding and polishing consumables.

For a metallographic polishing machine with stable performance and all indicators meeting the requirements, there is no problem from a functional perspective. The key lies in designing a reasonable grinding and polishing preparation process based on the materials and preparation objectives of the prepared samples. The types and specifications of consumables selected for each process are the key factors determining the success or failure of sample preparation. For example:
Sintered carbide specimens are very hard materials produced by powder metallurgy, and modern cutting techniques are relatively good. Generally, the cross-section cut by precision cutting machines is very good, and rough grinding steps are not required. The following are two preparation methods designed based on grinding consumables imported from the United States:

The above are two preparation methods designed for this type of material sample using a brand of grinding and polishing consumables. There are more methods that can be designed and used. Experienced metallographic engineers can design their own preparation methods based on past preparation experience. Regardless of the method, a metallographic polishing machine with good performance and normal operation can be used to complete it. Therefore, it is not the metallographic polishing machine that determines whether your metallographic sample is well ground. At least it's not just the reason for the metallographic polishing machine.