Grinder systems and methods for grinding a sample in a sample block are provided. One example grinder system includes a cylinder and a piston positioned in a bore of the cylinder and configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. A first end portion of the cylinder is configured to couple to a sample block. A first air port is disposed adjacent the first end portion of the cylinder, and a second air port is disposed adjacent a second, opposite end portion of the cylinder. A controller is configured to control air pressure in the first and second end portions of the cylinder, via the first and second air ports, to thereby linearly move the cylinder in a first direction and the piston in a second, opposite direction to agitate a grinding device in the sample block to grind a corresponding sample therein.