lab equipment

Laboratory Furniture for Biotechnology Labs

May 16, 2012

Selecting laboratory furniture is an important part of the design process for labs in the healthcare, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. Laboratory tables allow biotechnologists to perform scientific research and develop products in a designated work area. When lab tables are combined with seating and technical equipment, the lab becomes a functional area.

Selecting Lab Tables for a Biotechnology Lab

Once a lab has been constructed, those in charge must determine which laboratory tables will be most suitable for the area. If they are not biotechnologists, they should consult with these scientists to determine their needs. While a fixed top table may be suitable for some projects, others require an adjustable height table designed for close work. Scientists should make it known whether they prefer a manually adjustable table or one that adjusts automatically using an electric motor.

A microscope is standard equipment in a biotechnology lab. Lab tables should be sturdy enough to support the heaviest microscope that will be used. Tabletops are available in different materials including ESD static control, chemical resistant solid surfaces, and cleanroom styles. Depending on the environment, one of these may be the preferred choice.

Equipping Tables with Special Features

When ordering from a manufacturer, it may be possible to customize these lab furnishings, allowing them to serve as workstations. Optional accessories include a keyboard tray, flat computer monitor stand, cabinets, drawers, and bins. Special-purpose accessories like bin rails or panels and tool trolleys may also be available, enhancing the functionality of the table.

Laboratory tables come in standard sizes but a manufacturer may be able to create tables in custom dimensions. Planners should consider the amount of floor space available when determining the desired size of lab tables. Each scientist should have enough room to work comfortably at a table, whether seated or standing.

A Heavy Duty Table Is Suitable For Craft Stores

February 22, 2012

When we think of businesses that could use a heavy duty table, a craft store does not usually come to mind. However, durable work tables are perfect for holding bolts of fabric and picture mattes during the cutting process. They are long, wide, and able to withstand heavy objects. These industrial furnishings are even used as work benches for crafting classes held in-house.

Stores order fabric in bulk quantities called bolts. The amount of fabric in a bolt varies based on the manufacturer and type of fabric. As a general example, there are usually 15 to 20 yards of a cotton print on a bolt. With a large, heavy duty table, it is easier for employees to roll out and cut several yards of fabric at once. The material does not drag on the ground, where it could get dirty.

Not all craft projects deal with tiny items like beads. Some of the materials are actually quite heavy. Work benches provide sturdy support while working on projects like wood carving or painting furniture. Crafters can put two work benches together to create one large craft table. The project stays off the ground where it could be kicked or otherwise damaged.

A wooden heavy duty table makes a good student work bench for craft store classes. Several students can sit around the table, sharing supplies as needed while each having individual work space. The sturdy legs keep the table level, even if several students lean on the work surface at the same time. A lower shelf serves as a footrest.

Crafters may find a place for a heavy duty table within their home. They can set up shop in the basement, attic, or another room in the house and spread out their supplies and equipment. A person who is only an occasional crafter and has limited space in the home may find a folding table more appropriate.

RDM Custom Table Solutions- The Adjustable Table

January 19, 2012

In some work environments, a fixed height table is not sufficient and an adjustable table is required instead. Adjustable height tables make it convenient for workers to access and see the items they are working on. They also enable people of different heights to use the same workstation by making only a minor adjustment. When they order height adjustable tables, you can reduce the amount of furniture needed, lowering overall costs.

Adjustable height tables come in different styles designed to withstand various types of use. Standard to heavy duty tables are used in laboratories and manufacturing environments. A light to medium duty adjustable table is also suitable for a laboratory or office environment and can frequently be found in a college or university classroom.

An adjustable height table can be used as an equipment stand, microscope table, or a standard work surface. Workers in wheelchairs find it most comfortable to work at an ADA handicapped accessible adjustable table because they can adjust the work surface to the proper level for working from their chair. When they finish working, they simply raise the height of the table in order to safely remove themselves from the area.

Customers can save money by retrofitting existing tables with leg lift kits. These kits support up to 20,000 pounds and turn a stationary height table into an adjustable height table. Manual or electric operation is available and one to six cylinder versions can be found. When a light duty lift system is selected, a memory switch allows users to program their desired table height.

Height adjustable tables may contain four or more legs, depending on the size of the work surface. Adjustable table legs can be equipped with casters that allow the table to be moved. There are full-time caster tables, which provide casters (wheels) that remain in contact with the floor at all times. There are also momentary casters, which raise and lower with the frame. This style provides the best option for tables that hold heavy machinery, since the table cannot be moved around when the table legs are extended at any height. Adjustable height tables are available in many configurations and lift styles at RDM Industrial Products. Feel free to contact them for your adjustable table needs.

RDM Laboratory Casework Featuring Lab Tables

December 19, 2011

Laboratories must be equipped with cabinets that store the various supplies and equipment used. When choosing cabinets, customers often select both over and under-counter styles. With an under-counter storage area, a table surface must be selected. Similar to cabinets, lab tables are made using different surfaces and are offered with various features.

Standard steel cabinets are made from 16-gauge steel that is finished with powder coat paint. This paint is baked on and resistant to both chemicals and corrosion. Various style combinations, lab tables, and drawer pulls are available. Flame-resistant cabinets also feature a 16-gauge steel superstructure. Doors are self-closing and self-latching to meet code requirements and to protect contents. A flammable label is applied to the cabinet front, alerting workers to keep fire away from the area.

Chemical-resistant cabinets and science lab tables are designed for an environment where acids or corrosive chemicals are frequently used. These two-door cabinets feature a 16-gauge steel superstructure, chemical resistant interior lining, aluminum door pulls, and labeling describing whether acids or corrosive chemicals are stored in the unit. Available accessories include fume hoods, which are
often necessary in most laboratory and forensic science environments.

Standalone science tables are designed for light, standard, or heavy duty use and support the corresponding type of equipment. These laboratory tables feature a metal or wood frame and may be stationary or have casters. Solid surface, laminated, and chemical resistant surface options make the tabletop compatible with specific uses. Lighting and ventilation options suitable for different laboratory
environments are also available.

Lab table feautures installed on laboratory casework may include service fixtures like hot, cold, and deionized water, an eyewash station, or unit that dispenses air or gas. When requesting a quote for customized laboratory cabinet units, customers should specify the type of cabinet, laboratory tables, and included service fixtures they need. When providing complete details, price estimates can be best
prepared to meet your exact needs.

RDM Laminar Flow Workstations- Industrial Workbenches Featuring Clean Air Flow

November 25, 2011

Laminar flow workstations are designed for non-hazardous work like mechanical and processing duties. These industrial workbenches provide a clean air environment that is suitable for testing, laboratory work, inspection, manufacturing, or pharmaceutical environments. Clean, HEPA-filtered air flows over the work area, protecting the items being used.

Industrial workbenches that feature energy-efficient HEPA units reduce ongoing electricity costs. Fans may have speed control options, allowing the user to regulate the amount of air supplied to the industrial benches. High-efficiency HEPA filters are proven 99.99 percent efficient with 0.3 micro particles. Pre-filters that can be snapped into place make maintenance and replacement much easier.

Fans included in these work benches should be quiet so as not to distract the user. A 50 dBA fan is extremely quiet, making it perfect for this environment. Installing thick acrylic panels on the rear and sides of an industrial workbench seals the perimeter and an air flow shield adds to the efficiency. With a teardrop shaped, sealed fluorescent light fixture, the area is illuminated without creating an additional place for particulates to gather.

These industrial workbenches are usually compatible with 115v of power and cords can be plugged into a standard 20A duplex outlet. They come in several standard sizes but manufacturers can also specify custom dimensions including the height of the work surface. Top options include surfaces with features like chemical resistance and ESD/static control. Cleanroom and heavy manufacturing styles of work benches can also be found. Optional accessories include drawers, cabinets, bin panels, and power strips.

Being able to customize industrial workbenches ensures that this furniture meets the needs of the work environment. Laminar flow industrial benches provide a steady flow of particulate-free air. Quiet fan operation, variable fan speed, an assortment of work surface materials, and customized dimensions are just a few of the personalization options offered by some manufacturers. Please contact RDM Industrial Products today to request your Clean Air Workstation.

RDM Packaging Workstations

October 17, 2011

Packaging workstations are comprised of packaging tables outfitted with components containing features like shelves and box dividers, file and utility drawers, roll holders, and casters. Articulating accessories such as trays and monitor arms expand the functionality of these work areas. When properly equipped, it is conceivable that a worker can accomplish every task necessary from this station.

Packaging and shipping is a regular occurrence in some facilities and packaging workstations are the perfect industrial furniture for these functions. RDM Packaging tables provide an ample amount of room for boxes to be taped, wrapped, and shipped. Upper box dividers allow a supply of boxes to be kept nearby and trays store packaging supplies like tape, scissors, and markers. They are available in a variety of standard and custom sizes / configurations.

By adding an articulating monitor arm to packaging tables, the workstation becomes a shipping center. Workers can update inventory figures in real time and schedule shipping with a carrier. The upper shelf is perfect for storing packages that are not yet ready to be shipped. Keeping packages there prevents them from being lost or damaged on the facility floor. An articulating tray is suitable for holding a scale to weigh the packages in order to calculate the correct shipping prices.

Locating packaging workstations in several areas within a warehouse means workers never need to travel far to prepare a shipment. This maximizes productivity because it eliminates downtime required to find and wait for an available workstation. Companies like RDM Industrial Products Inc. offer customizable workstation solutions because they manufacture this equipment to customer specifications.

Larger facilities should benefit from the use of several packaging tables containing different features and placed in a line. Similar to a production line, workers can move down as they progress from one stage of the packaging process to the next. This allows several people to work simultaneously, another aspect that enhances productivity within the facility.

RDM Uses Only Top Quality Casters For Your Mobile Workbench Foundations

September 12, 2011

The industrial workbench has gone mobile, thanks to quality casters from companies like RDM Industrial Products Inc. This is a premier industrial office equipment manufacturer that provides wheel solutions for tables. When it comes to casters, there are many different types. Learning more about them helps individuals find the right one for their purposes.

Quality casters designed for workstations come in a standard version, with brakes that stop rotation, or a total locking style that locks both the swivel and the rotation. An industrial workbench can go from stationary to mobile with just the flip of a switch on the caster. Standard wheel size is four inches, which is suitable for moving most general purpose workbenches used in various industrial environments.

Heavy-duty quality casters do not need to be larger to handle rougher use. In fact, many of them feature only three-inch wheels. They come with a locking rotation and swivel feature and will not mar floor surfaces. A c-frame caster places the wheels under the floor support of the industrial workbench, locking the rotation and swivel as needed. This creates a more unobtrusive look and is suitable for environments where safety is of high concern.

Leveling casters are used to level various table surfaces. The casters are lifted off the floor in this setup, automatically preventing the table from moving. A workbench equipped with a microscope or other device that requires a level work surface would benefit from having this style of caster that features both stationary and mobile qualities.

The same type of function is provided by floor locks designed for an industrial workbench. These locks elevate casters from the floor, providing the work surface with a stable and fixed position. When the workbench must be moved, the lock is disengaged and the casters can then do their job of maneuvering the table to the desired location.

Articulating Tool Boards Offer Quick Access To The Tools You Need Everyday

August 15, 2011

An industrial workbench is suitable for various environments, including healthcare and manufacturing facilities. Several accessories are available for these workstations including packaging tables, lighting, and computer accessories. Perhaps the most useful types of accessories are those with an articulating quality, such as articulating tool boards.

When one or more articulating tool boards are added to an industrial workbench, tasks are made more convenient. Workers can keep their most frequently used tools close at hand, swiveling the board to the angle most comfortable for use. This board can be conveniently situated to suit workers in a seated or standing position or to accommodate a group of people gathered around a workbench.

Polypropylene material used in articulating tool boards is suitable for use in a cleanroom environment. A post mounted board measures 18×24 inches and is often installed with a dual 12-inch arm. A custom tool pegboard designed for use with an industrial workbench measures 18×36 inches, is post mounted, and can be installed with a custom arm.

These boards work with standard accessories designed for pegboards. A wide assortment of accessories is available separately, intended for tools and light equipment designed for various industries. When the board is in use, these tools are front and center. When it is not needed, it can be pivoted to the side of the workbench and docked. This is just one of the workbench add-ons designed with ergonomics in mind.

Outfitting an industrial workbench with an articulating tool board is a smart idea for workers who use a variety of tools on a daily basis. It keeps tools organized and within grasp but also pivots out of the way when the optimum amount of workspace is required. Having a workbench that is multifunctional keeps employees focused on their jobs rather than running around the facility looking for their tools.

Add-On Shelves And Overhead Frames For Your Flat Work Tables

July 8, 2011

Basic lab tables are not sufficient for some laboratory environments. Shelving may be required to store reference materials and in inspection areas, an overhead light boom may be necessary to provide the work surface with sufficient lighting. High quality industrial furniture manufacturers like RDM Industrial Products offer these components in configurations that are customizable to meet user needs.

Shelving options vary depending on the type of work table selected. If fixed height versions are not adequate, adjustable height is offered for various one and multi-shelf model table risers. Ergonomic lab tables have a lift feature and are ADA accessible. Corner tables may be ordered with corner shelves designed to hold books and light equipment. Special use tables include a tech station that features multiple split upper shelves and a printer workstation with paper storage decks.

Lab tables are available with different frame and top compositions. Frames are usually made from metal or wood and are stationary or include casters. Tops include standard, static control, or chemical resistant versions made from laminate, solid surface, wood, or stainless steel. If non-ferrous construction is selected, these tables may be used for optical or MRI purposes.

When full coverage illuminated overhead frames are combined with flat work tables, workers can conduct quality control inspections without needing additional light. The frame can be ordered with five fluorescent lamp fixtures, each containing two bulbs. This provides the work surface with approximately 100fc of lighting. An eight-outlet power strip with a 15-foot cord is just one of the other optional features that may add convenience to the job.

Add-on Shelving (Table Risers) and overhead frames enable a basic work table to be more functional. Lab tables are available in custom sizes and styles, with various optional features. By being able to include every option needed, a lab customer maximizes worker productivity. Money and time are saved because this furniture is pre-assembled so it can begin being used immediately following delivery.

Static Load Weight Capacity Claims Vs RDM Live Load Weight Capacity

June 24, 2011

When selecting laboratory storage and containment solutions, it is important to choose products that can handle the weight of equipment being used. Manufacturers create furniture with various types of load weight capacity, making it necessary for consumers to understand the differences.

A structural load is a force applied either to the component of the storage structure or to the structure as a whole. When designing lab furniture, RDM Industrial Products considers all stress factors involved, including, load magnitude, distribution, frequency of occurrence and dynamic or static nature. A load can cause a structure to be stressed, displaced, or even deformed. Overloading may eventually result in structural failure.

Static loads are those that gradually build up over time or have negligible dynamic effects, which are the effects that torques have on motion. It is much easier to do a structural analysis for a static than a dynamic load. In most cases, equipment manufacturers will publish the statically-equivalent load weight capacity for static loads.

One industrial furniture manufacturer that approaches things a bit differently is RDM Industrial Products, Inc. The load capacity figure calculated by this company is based on a live load, which is a load that displays significant dynamic effects. It includes all the variable forces that occur within the normal operation cycle of an object. As an example, with a table and large equipment, this would involve the actual weight of operating equipment, along with any movements that may be produced by the equipment or outside forces that could be applied to the pair. This pressure is variable based on the size of the equipment, frequency of use, and other loads that may be applied, like someone or something leaning onto the table edge.

Publishing a load weight capacity figure that accounts for live loads includes more than just the weight of the component placed on or in a structure. It also considers the forces that vary throughout the operation cycle of the component. When purchasing laboratory furniture designed for use with heavy equipment, consumers should look for live load capacity figures. The common static load ratings that other manufacturers list for their products will look larger, but are in fact inflated, since they are not factoring in many other common forces that could be applied to a table of workstation. At RDM industrial products, their load ratings are factored using live load calculations. Be sure to understand when a lesser, exaggerated static load rating is being presented. It will save you a world of grief.