A bottom plate (58) encloses the contents of the housing.

A base (1) is provided comprising a base plate (2) having a channel (3) therein and an electrical heating element (4) located and held in the channel such that the heating element (4) and the base plate (2) form one integral unit.

The members fit together so that the bores match, and are secured in the hole (16) in the bottom of a metallurgical vessel by a retaining plate (66) and a bottom plate (86).

Thus, the method may improve quality of DPD and reduce manufacture costs of the rear plate.

The bottom plate (86) can be removed to allow the lower member (22) to be replaced without disturbing the upper member.

A bottom plate (58) encloses the contents of the housing.

A base (1) is provided comprising a base plate (2) having a channel (3) therein and an electrical heating element (4) located and held in the channel such that the heating element (4) and the base plate (2) form one integral unit.

The members fit together so that the bores match, and are secured in the hole (16) in the bottom of a metallurgical vessel by a retaining plate (66) and a bottom plate (86).

Three mating structures on the bottom of the base plate mate with corresponding structures on a stage mount that is attached to the sample stage of the SEM.

A platinum wire B sealed into the bottom facilitates uniform boiling.

The platen gear meshes with the platen drive gear.

The stage mechanism comprises a fixed stage and the moving stage which slides along the surface of the fixed stage.

The platen assembly includes a platen rotatably driven by a platen gear that is coaxial with the platen.

A stage position sensor reports a position of the stage, and a stage position control controls the position of the stage.

At least one platen is disposed on the platen support member, the platen adapted for lateral positioning along the platen support member.