Boante BAT43-FS & BAT44-FS 4-Tier Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Storage Racks

Overview

The Boante BAT43-FS and BAT44-FS are engineered 4-tier ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer storage racks designed for systematic, high-density organization of cryogenic sample containers within −40 °C to −86 °C laboratory freezers. These racks operate on a modular drawer-based architecture—each tier functions as an independently sliding stainless-steel drawer—enabling rapid, non-disruptive access to individual cryoboxes without disturbing adjacent layers or requiring full rack extraction. Constructed from cold-resistant AISI 304-grade stainless steel (0.6–1.0 mm thickness), the racks maintain structural integrity, dimensional stability, and corrosion resistance under prolonged exposure to extreme thermal cycling and condensation-prone environments typical of ULT storage infrastructure. Their mechanical design aligns with ISO/IEC 17025-compliant sample handling workflows, supporting traceability, minimization of thermal excursion during retrieval, and reduction of cross-contamination risk through physical compartmentalization.

Key Features

• Four-tier vertical configuration with independent drawer mechanisms—each drawer slides smoothly on low-friction polymer rails rated for continuous operation at −80 °C.
• Integrated cryobox retention system: fixed-position挡板 (retaining lips) and dedicated access apertures ensure stable positioning and one-handed box removal—even when wearing cryo-gloves.
• Dedicated label recesses on every drawer front—compatible with standard 38 × 12 mm barcode or handwritten labels—supporting LIMS-integrated sample tracking protocols.
• Electropolished surface finish and fully deburred edges eliminate sharp edges and micro-crevices, reducing particulate accumulation and facilitating decontamination per CLSI GP35-A guidelines.
• Spot-welded frame joints validated for thermal fatigue resistance: no delamination or weld fracture observed after >5,000 cycles between −80 °C and ambient (per internal Boante qualification testing per ASTM F2624).
• Modular footprint allows seamless integration into major commercial ULT platforms—including Thermo Fisher TSX, Eppendorf CryoCube, Haier DW-86L, Meilinger MDF-U74V, Dovichi ULT-86, and Aucma DW-86L series—without modification to existing shelf rails or door clearance.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

These racks accommodate standardized 81-slot cryobox formats (133 × 133 × 54 mm external dimensions), including paper-based archival boxes (e.g., Nunc™ 5000-series) and rigid polypropylene storage boxes (e.g., Corning® CoolCell®, StarLab CryoBoxes®). Each tier holds up to 16 boxes in the BAT44-FS variant (4-column layout) or 12 boxes in the BAT43-FS (3-column layout), enabling up to 64 or 48 cryoboxes per rack respectively. All materials comply with USP for extractables profiling and meet ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity requirements for indirect contact with biological specimens. The design supports GLP/GMP-aligned freezer mapping studies by minimizing airflow obstruction and maintaining uniform thermal distribution across stored samples—validated via thermocouple grid testing per IQ/OQ protocols.

Software & Data Management

While hardware-based, the rack system is purpose-built for interoperability with digital sample management ecosystems. The standardized label recess geometry accommodates RFID tag inserts (125 kHz or 13.56 MHz) and linear/2D barcode scanners used in enterprise LIMS deployments (e.g., LabVantage, Thermo Biobank, STARLIMS). Drawer-level labeling enables hierarchical location coding (e.g., RackID-Tier-BoxPosition), directly feeding into audit-trail generation required under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records in regulated biobanking environments. Optional QR-code etching on drawer fronts is available upon request for automated inventory reconciliation.

Applications

These racks serve core operational needs across biorepositories, clinical trial biobanks, pharmaceutical QC laboratories, academic core facilities, and public health reference labs. Typical use cases include long-term archiving of PBMCs, plasma aliquots, tissue sections, microbial strains, and CRISPR-edited cell lines; high-throughput screening sample staging prior to NGS library prep; and compliance-driven storage of investigational medicinal product (IMP) batches under EMA Annex 13 or FDA Guidance for Industry: Bioanalytical Method Validation. Their space-optimized layout increases usable volume efficiency by ≥22% compared to stacked static racks—critical in facilities facing escalating ULT capacity constraints.

FAQ

Are these racks compatible with −86 °C vapor-phase liquid nitrogen freezers?
Yes—the stainless-steel grade and weld integrity have been verified for uninterrupted service at −86 °C, including repeated thermal shock from door openings.
Can I integrate custom-sized cryoboxes (e.g., 50-slot or 100-slot formats)?
Yes. Boante offers non-standard configurations—including modified drawer depths, reinforced dividers, and alternate slot geometries—with engineering review and dimensional validation prior to production.
Do the drawers require lubrication in ULT conditions?
No. The rail system uses self-lubricating acetal polymer sliders that remain functional down to −100 °C without grease degradation or migration.
Is there documentation available for IQ/OQ protocol development?
Yes. Boante provides material certifications (RoHS, REACH), weld procedure specifications (WPS), and dimensional inspection reports—supporting user-led qualification under ISO/IEC 17025 or GxP frameworks.
What warranty coverage applies to ULT-specific failure modes?
The 12-month warranty covers material defects and structural failure attributable to manufacturing—specifically including weld separation, panel buckling, or rail deformation under nominal −80 °C cycling conditions.