After approximately 20 years of successful production, the era of our laboratory vertical floor-standing autoclave—LVSA for short—is coming to an end. Its successor is ready: The newly developed LabStar V builds on the proven strengths of the previous series and combines them with modern operation, high reliability, and improved ease of maintenance.
The development of the LabStar V draws on our many years of experience in autoclave manufacturing as well as extensive feedback from direct interactions with our customers. The result is a new generation of vertical autoclaves that has been consistently designed to meet the demands of daily laboratory operations.
Ergonomic controls on the front of the device
The most noticeable change is the position of the touchscreen. On the previous LVSA model, the control unit was located behind the chamber. This could make operation difficult, especially on models with greater chamber depth.
On the LabStar V, the display has therefore been moved to the front. All important functions are easily accessible and clearly visible at all times. This improves ergonomics and enables efficient operation without unnecessary movements.
Newly Developed Pneumatic Lid Lock
One of the most important improvements is barely visible at first glance: the new locking system.
For this safety-critical component, our focus was on robustness, reliability, and a long service life. The newly developed, pneumatically driven lid lock is low-wear, easy to maintain, and designed for a high number of operating cycles.
The automated locking mechanism reduces the effort required for operation and ensures a reproducible and secure locking process.
Hybrid Seal: Combining the Advantages of Two Systems
Two different designs are typically used for autoclave seals: non-inflatable lip seals and inflatable seals without an additional sealing lip.
Both systems have their advantages. Non-inflatable lip seals are considered particularly simple and robust. Inflatable seals, on the other hand, enable active pressure monitoring and thus immediate detection of potential leaks.
For the LabStar V, we have combined both concepts: with our inflatable hybrid seal with an additional sealing lip.
This solution combines the advantages of both systems:
- Reduced stress on the material
- Thanks to the integrated sealing lip, significantly lower inflation pressures are required. The sealing material is subjected to less stress, and its service life is extended.
- Continuous pressure monitoring
- By gently inflating the seal, the seal pressure can be monitored. The system immediately detects any pressure loss or potential defect.
There are also no drawbacks during maintenance: The seal is still plug-in and not glued in place. This allows for quick and easy replacement.
Robust Pneumatic Stainless Steel Globe Valves
With the LabStar V, we now rely on pneumatically actuated stainless steel globe valves instead of traditional solenoid valves with stainless steel seats.
This valve technology offers several advantages in demanding autoclave operations:
- high resistance to temperature, pressure, and steam
- robust construction for a high number of switching cycles
- reliable opening and closing even under demanding process conditions
- high sealing integrity and defined closing forces
- easy maintenance and replacement
- centralized pneumatic control and clear valve layout
- definable safety position in the event of compressed air or power failure, depending on the model
As a result, the new valves contribute to high process safety and long-term, reliable plant availability.
Two operating options for different requirements
The LabStar V is available with two different control and display options.
Standard version with a 4.3-inch touchscreen
The standard version offers a clear and intuitive user interface for controlling sterilization programs. Optionally, the unit can be equipped with a batch printer that automatically documents the program sequence.
Pro Version with 7-inch Touchscreen
The Pro version features an integrated, Windows-based box PC and a larger 7-inch touchscreen. This provides numerous additional functions and expansion options, including:
- Custom user management
- Integration of the system into the customer’s network
- Automatic batch documentation
- Storage of process data on the network
- Remote access for remote diagnostics and service support
- Documentation in accordance with 21 CFR Part 11
- Audit trail for traceable recording of changes and operator interventions
This makes the Pro version particularly suitable for laboratories with heightened requirements for data integrity, traceability, and process documentation.
More compact external dimensions while maintaining the same chamber volume
The available space in the laboratory was also taken into account during development. The external dimensions of the LabStar V were further reduced while maintaining the same chamber volume.
Despite the more compact design, all relevant components remain clearly arranged and easily accessible for maintenance and service work. This saves space in the lab and, at the same time, valuable time during inspection, maintenance, and repair.
Proven experience, consistently refined
The LabStar V marks the beginning of the next generation of our vertical autoclaves. Proven features have been retained and purposefully enhanced with modern operating concepts, robust components, and intelligent monitoring functions.
The result is a compact, ergonomic, and reliable laboratory autoclave designed to meet the demands of modern laboratories.
Are you interested in the new LabStar V, or would you like to find out which model is right for your applications? Please feel free to contact us. Together, we’ll configure the right system for your processes and requirements.