Thermo Scientific Touch Screen Metal Bath

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Touch Screen Metal Bath is a precision-engineered dry block heater designed for consistent, uniform thermal control in molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and quality control laboratories. Unlike water baths, this metal bath utilizes solid aluminum heating blocks to deliver rapid thermal response, minimal evaporation risk, and contamination-free sample incubation. Its operation is based on PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) microprocessor-controlled resistive heating, enabling stable temperature maintenance within ±0.3 °C across the operating range (ambient +5 °C to 100 °C). The unit features an integrated high-resolution capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven navigation—eliminating mechanical buttons prone to wear or liquid ingress. Designed for daily high-throughput workflows, it supports programmable multi-step thermal protocols without requiring external software or PC connectivity.

Key Features

• Capacitive touchscreen interface with real-time graphical display of setpoint, actual temperature, elapsed time, and remaining duration
• 10 user-programmable protocols, each supporting up to 5 sequential steps with independent temperature (°C) and dwell time (0–9 h 59 min) settings
• Integrated Pt100-grade temperature probe embedded in the aluminum block for direct block-surface feedback and high-reproducibility control
• Automatic sensor switchover: when an external probe (e.g., immersion or thermocouple type) is connected via the dedicated port, the internal sensor is disabled and the display updates to reflect true sample temperature
• Over-temperature protection circuitry compliant with IEC 61010-1 safety standards, triggering automatic shutdown if block temperature exceeds 110 °C
• Modular block configuration: accommodates one, two, four, or custom-configured aluminum heating blocks (standard well diameters: 12 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm; depth: 55 mm)
• Powder-coated cold-rolled steel chassis with reinforced corners and non-slip rubber feet—engineered for long-term stability on benchtops under continuous duty cycles

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Touch Screen Metal Bath is compatible with standard microcentrifuge tubes (0.2 mL–50 mL), PCR strips, deep-well plates, and small-volume vials. Its aluminum blocks are anodized for corrosion resistance and thermal homogeneity. Temperature uniformity across a fully loaded 4-block configuration is validated per ASTM E2209–22 (Standard Practice for Calibration of Thermal Analyzers), demonstrating ≤±0.5 °C deviation at 37 °C and ≤±0.8 °C at 95 °C. The device meets CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. For regulated environments, audit-trail functionality is enabled via optional Thermo Fisher Connect™ integration (sold separately), supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records and signature workflows when paired with validated LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

While fully functional as a standalone instrument, the Touch Screen Metal Bath supports optional connectivity through Thermo Fisher Connect™—a cloud-enabled laboratory device management platform. When linked via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, users gain remote monitoring, protocol synchronization across multiple units, and automated export of temperature/time logs in CSV or PDF format. All local touchscreen operations—including parameter changes, program recalls, and calibration adjustments—are timestamped and stored in non-volatile memory for GLP/GMP traceability. The built-in timer provides precise countdown functionality with audible and visual alerts upon completion; no battery-backed clock is required—the system retains time/date settings during brief power interruptions.

Applications

• Enzyme reaction incubation (e.g., restriction digests, ligations, dephosphorylations)
• Cell culture reagent pre-warming (FBS, trypsin, buffers) at 37 °C with minimal thermal overshoot
• DNA denaturation and hybridization steps in nucleic acid purification and assay development
• Controlled drying of thin-film samples prior to SEM or XRD analysis
• Stability testing of reference standards and working solutions per ICH Q5C guidelines
• Calibration verification of thermometers and data loggers using NIST-traceable reference blocks

FAQ

What is the maximum operating temperature and accuracy specification?
The unit achieves a maximum setpoint of 100 °C with typical accuracy of ±0.3 °C at steady state (measured at block surface using calibrated Pt100 reference probe).
Can the metal bath be used with non-Thermo aluminum blocks?
Yes—blocks must conform to ISO 8573-1 dimensional tolerances and thermal mass specifications; third-party blocks may affect PID tuning stability and void warranty.
Is firmware update capability available?
Firmware upgrades are performed via USB flash drive using Thermo Fisher-provided binaries; version history and release notes are accessible through the Thermo Fisher Support Portal.
Does the unit support external temperature logging?
Yes—via RS-232 or optional Ethernet module, enabling integration with LabVIEW, MATLAB, or SCADA systems using Modbus RTU/TCP protocol.
What safety certifications does this model carry?
It complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries CE, cULus, and RoHS markings.