Laboratory Equipment

Company Announcements

The Japan Times reported in January that AGC Techno Glass, a subsidiary of Asahi Glass, admitted to shipping lab centrifuge tubes to users for almost three years without proper QC testing. The company disclosed annual sales of the product of ¥200 million ($1.8 million).

Porvair Sciences’ Seal Analytical business recorded a 5%, 4% in constant currency, sales increase for its latest fiscal year, ending November 30, 2017. The business will introduce two new platforms this year.

Product Introduction

In January, Caron upgraded its 7400 Series Reach-In carbon dioxide incubator to include hydrogen peroxide chamber sterilization and a one-handed door latch mechanism.

Panasonic Healthcare North America introduced in January a new slim profile 12.7 cubic ft. -86°C upright freezer, Model MDF-DU302VX-PA, to its TwinGuard Series. It features 10% greater capacity per square foot compared to previous models of the same size.

In January, Labnet released the CO336 Series centrifuges, with a capacity of up to 400 mL. Swing-out and fixed angle rotor options available. It features a speed of 90–18,000 rpm.

Heathrow Scientific debuted in February the 1 L Mini Magnetic Stirrer, featuring reduced noise and consistent accurate alignment. Speed ranges from 200 rpm to 2,200 rpm.

In February, Gilson launched Gilson Connect, a cloud-connected platform for Bluetooth-enabled liquid handling. The first products include the TRACKMAN Connected and PIPETMAN M Connected, which give scientists the ability to record and track pipette performance in real time and transmit them to the free, open source sciNote ELN. The all-in-one TRACKMAN kit includes a tablet with the PipettePilot microplate pipetting tracker application.

Labnet introduced in February the C1601 series of mini-microcentrifuges, which replace the company’s Spectrafuge Mini centrifuges and offer a greater capacity of 8 places for micro-centrifuge tubes and 4 places for PCR strip rotors. The systems accelerate to 6,000 rpm.

Sales and Orders of Note

IonField Systems announced in January the installation of its PlasmaKnife Microplate Cleaning System at AstraZeneca’s research facility in the UK. This follows a beta testing period.

Lab Automation

Product Introductions

In February, TTP Labtech unveiled the dragonfly discovery liquid handling technology, which enables rapid and reliable low-volume (200 nL and up) dispensing from a positive displacement pipette (with 4 mL capacity) and 96-, 384- and 1,536-well compatibility. It is designed to reduce assay development time.

In February, Artel launched the Accredited Calibration Service, an expansion of its services for automated liquid handlers. The service provides calibrations and detailed certificates to meet regulatory standards and help pass audits.