An automated metallographic system for cutting, mounting and analyzing a specimen, the system comprising an outer housing , a loading station , an automated transport assembly, a preparation station , a mounting station , a polishing station , an analyzer, a user input interface, and a controller; wherein the controller comprises one or more processors and one or more memory storage devices, is operatively connected to each of the stations and the automated transport assembly, and is configured to fully automate the system by executing stored instructions; wherein the preparation station and the mounting station are housed within the outer housing ; wherein the loading station comprises a specimen loading slot through the outer housing configured to receive a specimen, and a bypass input opening through the outer housing where a specimen that has already been positioned and optionally mounted in a specimen mounting cup can be inserted or reinserted for additional analysis, or repeated analysis; wherein the preparation station comprises a cutting device configured to cut a specimen to provide a cut surface for analysis; wherein the automated transport assembly is configured to transport a specimen from the preparation station to the mounting station ; wherein the mounting station comprises a resin reservoir and a resin dispenser , the mounting station configured to mount a specimen in resin with the cut surface of the specimen in a predetermined orientation; wherein the polishing station is configured to remove material from a cut surface of a specimen; wherein the analyzer is configured to obtain an image of a surface of a specimen; wherein the user input interface is configured to receive identification information associated with a specimen; and wherein the controller is configured to operate the cutting device, the automated transport assembly, and the resin dispenser. wherein the controller comprises one or more processors and one or more memory storage devices, is operatively connected to each of the stations and the automated transport assembly, and is configured to fully automate the system by executing stored instructions; wherein the preparation station and the mounting station are housed within the outer housing ; wherein the loading station comprises a specimen loading slot through the outer housing configured to receive a specimen, and a bypass input opening through the outer housing where a specimen that has already been positioned and optionally mounted in a specimen mounting cup can be inserted or reinserted for additional analysis, or repeated analysis; wherein the preparation station comprises a cutting device configured to cut a specimen to provide a cut surface for analysis; wherein the automated transport assembly is configured to transport a specimen from the preparation station to the mounting station ; wherein the mounting station comprises a resin reservoir and a resin dispenser , the mounting station configured to mount a specimen in resin with the cut surface of the specimen in a predetermined orientation; wherein the polishing station is configured to remove material from a cut surface of a specimen; wherein the analyzer is configured to obtain an image of a surface of a specimen; wherein the user input interface is configured to receive identification information associated with a specimen; and wherein the controller is configured to operate the cutting device, the automated transport assembly, and the resin dispenser. <EOS>