Why Does My Lab Need Drying Racks?

Is your lab one of the thousands of classroom labs across the country?  Or perhaps it is a forensic science lab?  Is it a medical lab, performing vital tests on a daily basis? Regardless of the role your lab plays, we can all agree that it will always need clean equipment to properly perform and yield accurate results.  Clean lab instruments mean no cross contamination, as well as helping to preserve the life of expensive equipment.  For these reasons, drying racks are an indispensable and necessary piece of equipment.  Beakers and test tubes, among other lab equipment, are fragile items and care should always be taken whether they are being used for experiments or tests, whether they are being washed or dried.  Leaving them on a counter or tabletop to dry is inefficient, as well as taking up needed space and more importantly, leave them vulnerable to breakage.  With a drying rack, your equipment stays out of the way until it is needed, it dries in a more timely manner and because a drying rack allows you to hang delicate instruments, they are safe from potential accidents.  

Consider what type of drying rack will best suit the needs of your lab. A drying rack made from epoxy resin, or phenolic resin?   Consider an acrylic rack, which is impact resistant and also has chemical resistant properties. A stainless steel drying rack is by far the most durable tough and will never rust. The durability and functionality of drying racks in your lab should not be overlooked. 

Stretch Your Lab Budget With These Three Simple Tips:

1.     Ask for samples.  This is a great way to reduce costs and ensure that you have the product that will meet the needs that you acquired it for.  Nobody wants to buy even a small quantity of supplies, let alone a large amount, only to find it is not going to fill the bill. Blackland Manufacturing will gladly accommodate your request for samples, because it will often times lead to sales.  The best part of asking for samples is that they are usually free.  Who doesn’t like free?

2.     Use free software.  Again with the free, woohoo.  There plenty of software products out there to make running and operating a lab smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.  Could you use help logging data?  There’s a free software program for that.  How about inventory?  Yup, free software.  Lab management software that will allow you to request quotes, manage documents, and more?! Yessiree.  

3.     Buy in bulk.  Ok, this one isn’t free, but it will help your budget nonetheless.  Products that are often in use and that will be used for an indefinite amount of time should always be purchased in bulk.  If your lab and/or storage space is at a premium, this could present a problem. However, lab supply stores offer standing order programs that allow you to make blanket purchases but only receive what you need when you need it.  Viola!  Storage problem solved. If you find that you regularly need to be restocked on a monthly basis, suppliers will ship them to you on that basis.  

Laboratory Basics for Students

The laboratory. The name almost sounds menacing. Despite the name, a lab does not need to be a scary place to a new, aspiring science student! Knowing your way around the room and its wonderful contents will make your journey a pleasant, educational experience. Consider this a little guide into what to find in a laboratory. 

• ·         Lab tables- There are several types of tables in a lab, such as balance tables; however, most of the time, the lab table you’ll be stationed at will be a larger table made of a number of possible materials.

• ·         Equipment Drawers and Pegboards- Here is where you’ll find your beakers, flasks, balances, Bunsen burners, and other such apparatus that you’ll use. 

• ·         Sink- Every lab needs a sink. It’s good practice to wash all equipment before and after usage, to provide cross-contamination, which could lead to anything from skewed data to terrible results.

• ·         Lab Coats/Goggles- Safety is incredibly important, especially when working around chemicals! A lab coat and pair of lab goggles will help protect your skin and eyes from spills and splashbacks.

• ·         Eye Wash/First Aid Station- It’s important to know where in the lab the eye wash station and first aid kits are located. A chemical burn can cause serious problems, but you can minimize damage with quick action.

Know where to find all of these, and you will be well on your way to your first experiment!

What’s Epoxy Resin?

You may see epoxy resin countertops and pegboards on our site, but not everyone may know just what the material is. So today we answer what are epoxy and resin, and what makes this particular resin desirable for laboratory equipment?  Though resin has a particular connotation in nature, the resin that we deal with is defined by Merriam-Webster as: “any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics”.  These synthetic resins fall into the category of “thermosetting polymers”, which are plastics solidified through heat. Such polymers are incapable of being reverted back from the mold they are shaped into.  The term “epoxy” stems from the “-oxy” part of its name, and refers to the oxygen atoms bonded within its chemical makeup. The more commonly used understanding of the term is that it is a strong, bonding adhesive. Understanding the two individual terms helps one understand what this material is and how it works. In a lab setting, this equates to a material that you can work on top of relatively worry free. An epoxy resin countertop will be strongly bonded, and possess a level of resistance to chemicals and flame. Visit BlacklandMFG.com today to view our epoxy resin countertops and other epoxy resin laboratory equipment!

The Benefits of a Laboratory Balance Table

Depending on the type of work you are going to complete in the laboratory, you might make use of a balance table. Balance tables are a great tool to have in your lab because they help establish a stable environment to ensure precision and accuracy. Balance tables are the perfect when working with sensitive equipment. Sensitive equipment can range from taking exact measurements to using microscopes when a steady hand and surface are need to examine even the smallest specimens.

In order to decide on a balance table for your lab, you should consider what type of construction went into the table. With that said, look at the width of the table legs, the height of the table top, and what type of materials were being used to establish a surface. When dealing with sensitive measurements, these factors cannot be over looked. At Blackland Manufacturing, we currently offer the highest quality epoxy resin balance table. The thick epoxy resin establishes a solid construction, in conjunction with the balance to create a sturdy and steady surface. Balance tables are designed with the user in mind; they are created to give you the best stabilization for any experiment that you are conducting!

Laboratory Equipment Suppliers: Helping You See Your Experiment Through!

Every laboratory is equipped with many tools to help them complete their jobs efficiently. There are many tools to consider when beginning work in a laboratory. Since there is a wide array of tools available, it might be hard to narrow down your search. There are key factors involved when browsing through products from laboratory equipment suppliers:

• What end result am I trying to accomplish; is a large experiment needed in order to finish my work properly?
• Will there be a team working with me?
• What type of materials am I working with; do I have the correct vessels for those materials?
• Are the surfaces that I am going to be working on the correct surfaces?
• What type of accessories will I need to complete my experiment from start to finish?

Of course, there are many more questions involved when working in a laboratory. However, these are great questions to consider when thinking about laboratory supply and design. Shop today at BlacklandMFG.com; your number one laboratory equipment suppliers!

Chemical Safety and Storage Procedures

Chemical storage cabinets are designed to promote safety, but they are no substitute for responsible human behavior. The following guidelines for laboratories and other facilities can ensure that chemicals don't cause fires, injuries or damage to valuable equipment.

• Do not remove chemicals from their original containers without labeling them clearly. 
• Never store food, drinks or personal items in chemical storage cabinets. 
• When not in use, be sure that all cabinets are locked. 
• Keep chemical containers closed when not in use. 
• Maintain adequate ventilation in the laboratory at all times. 
• Make sure that everyone who has access to chemical storage cabinets is aware of the proper use and storage of its contents. 
• Always provide access to relevant MSDS documents. 
• Observe chemical disposal instructions carefully. 
• Keep an up-to-date inventory record of all chemicals. 
• Enforce rules regarding personal protective equipment. All persons participating in lab activities should wear appropriate chemical splash goggles, gloves and laboratory coats or aprons. 
• Address chemical spills immediately. 
• Maintain and use decontamination equipment. 
• Never substitute chemicals without proper authorization. 
• Never allow chemicals to leave the laboratory without authorization. 
• Keep work areas neat and uncluttered. 
• Always supervise students or untrained employees with they are working with chemicals. 
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings when chemicals are in use.