Best lab benches for 2020

For the equipment of laboratories, special furniture is needed that allows you to comfortably work with devices, store dishes with chemicals, conduct research, etc. One of the main elements of equipping such rooms is a laboratory table.

This specialized furniture differs not only in design, but also in purpose, functionality, materials used in the manufacture of surfaces, on which the durability of the product depends.

To choose the right laboratory table, you need to accurately determine its purpose, space for placement (office area, water and electricity supply), the number of personnel who will use it, and the load on the working surface.

The purchase price is also important, as special offers from various vendors and manufacturers often save money without compromising on quality.

Basic requirements for tables for laboratory equipment

Specialized laboratory furniture must be manufactured taking into account the operating conditions and meet a number of requirements:

• be resistant to chemicals, humidity, corrosion, temperature changes, and other adverse physical influences;
• provide opportunities for connecting electricity, supplying water and draining it;
• have a thoughtful and ergonomic design;
• be fire resistant;
• create conditions for storing materials and equipment in a confined space.

Criterias of choice

The main criteria to look for when choosing a laboratory bench are: functionality, use of the right materials, durability, value for money.

Functionality is directly related to the tasks for which the equipment is intended.

Types depending on the purpose

If the size of the room allows, then in the laboratory it is worth using not one, but several tables that perform various functions:

• chemical (for storing materials and working with chemicals);
• laboratory (can be used for storing substances, working with them and for installing equipment);
• for special equipment (weight, titration, computer);
• washing (for washing laboratory glassware).

All types can be equipped with additional storage devices (superstructures with shelves, roll-out drawers, cabinets, points for connecting to the mains).

Chemistry and laboratory tables should have work surfaces that are particularly resistant to aggressive chemicals, most types should be equipped with adjustable legs for perfect alignment of furniture.

You can buy a laboratory sink separately, but the option of kits has become popular, the design of which provides for a single or double sink. If an electric distiller is still located here, then the problem with the source of prepared water in the laboratory has been solved.

For hospitals and medical institutions, equipment with double washes is more often purchased. The advantage of this configuration is in saving time for washing laboratory glassware, as well as in convenience: if one drain or tap fails, the second will ensure uninterrupted operation.

Differences in design for different placement options

There are 2 main types of design of tables or sets: island and wall-mounted. Each of them has its own advantages and features.

Island construction

This type of furniture is placed anywhere in the laboratory, as if forming an "island" to accommodate equipment, utensils, materials and inventory, ie everything necessary for special types of research.

A distinctive feature of the island design is the accessibility of the area for personnel from all sides. Island tables often have a square or rectangular countertop.

Wall-mounted

This type of structure is placed with one side close to the wall. The advantage is the simple connection of devices and equipment to the electricity source.

Such designs can be angular. Often hinged shelves and built-in cabinets for placing dishes, materials, and inventory are added to wall tables.

Wall-mounted furniture is multifunctional and serves as a work surface and storage space, allowing you to save space in the room.

What you need to know about furniture materials

The strength and durability of special laboratory furniture is ensured by the use of special materials by the manufacturers.

For example, the frame is made of melamine-coated anodized aluminum profiles. The sturdy frame helps withstand the stress. the equipment weighs a lot. To protect against moisture, the bearing parts are coated with a special polymer.

And the materials in demand for the manufacture of countertops are: postforming, shoulder, granite and others. In this case, the following requirements are imposed on the working surface:

• must withstand the weight of the placed devices (it sometimes reaches tens of kg) and bend minimally;
• be insensitive to the action of chemicals;
• have resistance to abrasion, scratches, impacts;
• have no grooves, be flat.

Plastic countertops

The main advantages of this material: resistance to chemical attack, light weight, ease of maintenance, low price.

The disadvantages include the fact that plastic tabletops are easily damaged from impacts and falling of sharp objects, and some types are unstable to contact with objects heated to high temperatures. The scope of application of plastic tables is limited.

Tables with artificial or natural stone cover

The stone surface weighs more and requires a more powerful metal frame. This leads to an increase in the price of the product and the cost of transportation, complicates the movement of furniture.

On the other hand, the stone base will not suffer from drops of chemical reagents and accidental spilling of aggressive solutions from test tubes. Scratch and abrasion resistance is also higher than that of plastic.

When using equipment that creates a high temperature in the laboratory: a magnetic stirrer or heated shaker, an oven, a heating mantle or a Bunsen burner, it is worth opting for work surfaces made of stone or porcelain stoneware.

The main disadvantage of stone countertops can be considered relative fragility, i.e. the surface can be crushed by a heavy object falling from a great height. In this case, the weight of the object and the height of the fall should be large, since even the ends of the surfaces are equipped with a special shockproof bar.

Useful add-ons

In addition to a laboratory table, cabinets or shelves are often purchased. This is especially true when it is necessary to place a thermostat with a large chamber volume, a distiller, or a medical dry-air sterilizer.

The shelves are fixed on a special reinforced frame. On the 2nd and 3rd "floor", as a rule, place laboratory glassware and documentation necessary for work.

The package often includes recessed lights and double sockets for instrumentation and equipment.

The best laboratory bench manufacturers

On the Russian market of specialized furniture for laboratory equipment, you can find offers mainly from domestic manufacturers. The products of such enterprises are made, as a rule, from imported materials and using the best foreign equipment, but they are cheaper than foreign ones. Inexpensive models of tables can be bought from Russian enterprises (from Moscow, Kazan, St. Petersburg and Saratov).

Companies from Italy, Germany, China and Belarus are represented from foreign manufacturers. At the same time, you can work with Italian suppliers directly through the websites, while German firms work using intermediaries (mainly from St. Petersburg). Prices for European furniture correspond to the premium class.

Equipment from China is almost always offered in lots of 50 units or more. Chinese products can be in the middle and low segment, subject to bulk purchases.

As for furniture from Belarus, it is presented only in the middle and high price segment. The quality is no better than Russian counterparts.

Inexpensive tables

Manufacturers represented in this segment sell not only cheap furniture, but also premium class sets. However, in addition to wholesale supplies for medical institutions, enterprises sell their products through websites and online stores.

Tables from the ATM company

LLC "ATM" is a Russian manufacturing company, the enterprises of which are located in several cities at once. Delivery is carried out throughout Russia and neighboring countries.

Skilled workers, imported equipment and quality materials allow us to design and assemble laboratory furniture in large volumes and a wide range. ATM's prices are among the lowest (from 6000 rubles for the simplest product with a surface made of special plastic).

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Aibolit 2000 (Ai Lab brand)

Domestic manufacturer that has been producing and selling goods for about 20 years. The production is equipped with equipment from leading manufacturers from Japan, Germany, Italy, Taiwan. Buyers note the high quality workmanship of all elements of products and components.

The assortment includes about a dozen models that are easy to use according to customer reviews. Prices correspond to low and medium ones for the markets of this category of goods (from 7000 rubles for the cheapest model with a plastic work surface).

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LLC "MiLab"

MiLab LLC offers laboratory tables at one of the lowest prices on the Russian market (from 3600 rubles without delivery). Products are made from imported laminated chipboard. It is possible to choose color (s), finish according to samples. It is possible to develop an individual design in shape and color.

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Tables from NV-lab

The Moscow company has been selling laboratory equipment and manufacturing specialized furniture for over 10 years. Tables from NV-lab are produced in 2 lines of furniture: HB - KMFORT and HB. The second line belongs to the more budgetary option (from 2,400 rubles), and the first to the middle price category (the cheapest is from 9800 rubles).

The company has established itself in the market as a conscientious supplier in the field of medical equipment, selling both retail and wholesale. Applications are accepted through the website on the Internet. The reliability of the furniture and the timeliness of deliveries are evidenced by the feedback from RI-Lab partners.

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Products of the middle price segment

Domestic companies in this category are represented by manufacturers of high quality furniture. The prices are due to the high cost of materials and investment in quality design.

Such companies, as a rule, are engaged in the design of the laboratory as a complex in accordance with the interests of the customer.

METALLAB LLC is a company registered in Moscow with production facilities in the capital and in Tatarstan. The company is the official representative of Tornado Lab LLC and is engaged in the supply of laboratory furniture, including to foreign markets. Participates in tenders and auctions for equipping state institutions.

Furniture prices range from 16,500 rubles. The quality is guaranteed by the manufacturer. The most expensive set-tables cost up to 67,000 rubles.

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Modern laboratory "(brand" Sovlab ")

Furniture from Sovremennaya Laboratoriya LLC is one of the most demanded in Russia. The main enterprises are located in St. Petersburg. Among the company's clients are large industrial enterprises, drug manufacturing companies, research and medical institutions, educational institutions of various levels.

The company is engaged not only in fulfilling orders for the production and supply of laboratory furniture, but also in warranty service.

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Premium laboratory tables

Manufacturers who work in this market segment focus on high quality products and their compliance with international quality standards.

Premium equipment not only amazes with its strength and durability, but also creates a comfortable working environment for staff due to the thoughtfulness of every detail.

Furniture from Bicasa

The Italian company Bicasa has long conquered the premium segment on the Russian market. The equipment of this company is sold both in complexes that allow you to perfectly organize the work of a group of specialists, and as single items. For which the manufacturer gives a 20-year warranty.

MEKK and EKO laboratory workstations are designed for rational use of space, convenient and secure supply of communications and additional devices, and the most comfortable for the work of staff.

The design of Bicasa laboratory tables makes it possible to install communication leads and additional devices in a vertical direction for the most rational use of space and organization of storage areas.

You can order the products of the Italian company both from Russian dealers and on the company's website. Prices for high-quality furniture are high (from 90,000 rubles per item).

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Why multifunctionality is economical: how to avoid mistakes when choosing laboratory furniture

Unlike the popular belief that the cheaper and simpler laboratory tables, the better the investment, the real secret of choosing the right special furniture is versatility.

The more options for using such a table, and the more durable the product, the more profitable it will be to purchase it. Multifunctionality allows you to combine 2-3 items of furniture for different purposes in one item, which leads to a reduction in investment.

With further use, laboratory tables with a combination of several functions will save working time and create a comfortable environment, which will allow more analyzes, and as a result, increase profits.

In addition, when ordering a set from one supplier (and even more so from a manufacturer), starting from the transportation stage, you can pay several times less for several pieces of laboratory furniture and not waste time looking for add-ons.