A high speed, high precision, high repeatability serial sectioning device and method for 3-D reconstruction of microstructure specimens. The invention employs a high-precision motorized metallographic polishing unit, a microscope for viewing and computer controlled digital imaging of 2-D microstructure sections of a pre-selected pattern for 3-D microstructure reconstruction. The microstructure specimens are transferred throughout by a robotic manipulator arm providing greater precision and speed and serial-sectioning process control software provides control. The 3-D reconstruction of the invention can be analyzed in real time and can be accomplished in a matter of hours.