Metallurgical sample preparation starts with cutting. Cutting machines are available in several forms including abrasive cut-off machines for metallographic samples, and precision cutters that are used for precise and deformation-free cutting of metals, ceramics, electronic components, crystals, composites, biomaterials, sintered carbides, and minerals. Metallurgical cutting machines are used in metallurgical, geological, electronics, research, biomedical, and industrial laboratory applications.