TC-Plus

New Techne TC-PLUS thermal cyclers offer speed, flexibility and ease of use

March 2010 sees the launch of new Techne thermal cyclers. The feature-packed TC-PLUS can be combined with Satellite units giving complete flexibility to configure any multi-block format.The new thermal cyclers have one of the fastest aluminium blocks on the market, delivering greater uniformity than a silver block and therefore more reproducible PCR results. The 5.7 inch VGA colour touchscreen with graphical display is intuitive and easy to use. All buttons are large enough for fingers – so no stylus, pen or spatula needed!The TC-PLUS features a unique CD-type sample drawer. The force used to push the drawer in also lowers the heated lid into position, applying the correct pressure onto the samples to prevent evaporation. This mechanism is entirely mechanical and doesn’t rely on motors. All consumable types can be accommodated, from 0.5ml tubes to 384-well plates, sealed with either heat or adhesive seals.Rob Skehens, Bibby Scientific Marketing Director, commented: ‘PCR is an important tool in many research, diagnostics, forensic and testing laboratories. The new Techne TC-PLUS thermal cyclers meet key needs for speed, flexibility and ease of use, as well as incorporating stand-out innovations such as the automatic non-motorised heated lid and energy-saving Thermal Energy Recovery System (TERS™).The stackable design and PC software enable multiple TC-PLUS cyclers and Satellites to be networked, for high throughput PCR, using 96-well or 384-well blocks. Satellite units can be controlled from the TC-PLUS server or a PC but have no user interface. The next generation PC software can be used with all current and previous generation Techne thermal cyclers.

There is a choice of easily interchangeable blocks – 96 x 0.2ml, 60 x 0.5ml and 384-well plate – all with gradient for efficient optimisation of PCR conditions. With over 20 years experience in the design and manufacture of thermal cyclers, Techne is established as a leading supplier and the TC-PLUS is covered by a 4-year warranty (4 years or 100,000 cycles for blocks).

Bibby Scientific will be exhibiting on stand B2.217 at Analytica 2010, 23-26 March in Munich, Germany.

Techne is a long established name and world leader in the manufacture of temperature control and essential equipment for the life sciences, research, clinical and general laboratories.

The Techne range of products encompasses temperature controlled water baths, Dri-Block®heaters, cell culture equipment and molecular biology products such as hybridisation incubators and thermal cyclers.

Baths

A comprehensive range of temperature controlled liquid baths are available from Techne.
Twenty different water bath combinations allow the use of accurate temperatures from -40°C up to 250°C; ensuring a solution for most laboratory and Calibration applications.
RB-5ARB-12A

Refrigerated Baths

These baths are a complete refrigerated circulating system for open or closed applications for temperature ranges from -35°C to 150°C. Each bath is supplied with a lid and bridging plate.There are three bath capacities: 7 litre (RB-5A), 12 litre (RB-12A) and 22 litre (RB-22A). Temperature control is via one of the four thermoregulators and together they offer a choice of 12 different bath combinations.• Circulating bath with built in refrigeration
• Temperature range from -35°C to 150°C
• Three different capacities of refrigerated bath; 7, 12 or 22 litre
• The combination of 3 circulating baths and 4 thermoregulators provides 12 options

Probe holder for RB-5A
Designed to fit perfectly in both the LCB range and RB-5A, this convenient probe holder has ten Ø12.5mm and eight Ø6.5mm diameter holes to accommodate a variety of probes. It is also fully adjustable to varying insertion depths using simple threaded support rods.

Technical Specification
Cooling (at 20°C ambient) RB-5A RB-12A RB-22A
Minimum achievable temperature¹ –20°C –35°C –30°C
Cooling capacity at 20°C (W) 145 240 240
Cooling capacity at 0°C (W) 145 240 240
Cooling capacity at –10°C (W) 110 230 220
Ordering Information
Product Code Description
FRB5D RB-5A bath, 7 litre capacity with built in refrigeration unit, – 20°C to 150°C
FRB2D RB-12A bath, 12 litre capacity with built in refrigeration unit, – 35°C to 100°C
FRB22D RB-22A bath, 22 litre capacity with built in refrigeration unit, – 30°C to 100°C
FBCAL7PH Probe holder for RB-5A
LCB'sLCB Probe Holder

Liquid Calibration Baths

The Techne® liquid calibration bath (LCB) series offer compact, accurate and reliable liquid baths which can be used for external circulation or temperature calibration of thermal sensors.• –35°C to 250°C
• Three different capacities available; 5, 7 or 12 litres
• Temperature stability; ±0.005°C depending on choice of control unit
• Fully insulated bath for excellent heat retention
• Analogue or digital temperature selection, depending on choice of control unit
• Includes cover, lid and bridging plateWhen temperature calibration is required the compact liquid baths offer excellent stability over the entire temperature range. The LCBs can be also be used for external circulation to maintain temperatures of samples in viscometers, photometers, refractometers, fermenters and other reaction vessels.All models of LCB offer high pump performance and exceptional thermal stability from –35°C to 250°C. The baths are fully insulated on all sides and base and are fitted with a cooling coil for connection to a cold water supply for use at temperatures around ambient.
The minimum temperature achievable is –35°C when a Dip or Flow Cooler is added to the system.*Each bath is supplied complete with lid, drain tap, carry handles, a cooling coil (with bung) and hole to position a certified sensor. The TechneWorks software package is available for the TU-20 thermoregulators free of charge from www.techne.com

LCB Probe holder
The new FBCAL7PH LCB probe holder is an accessory designed to allow multiple probe positioning and calibration within the LCB.
It can be used for 5, 7 and 12 litre baths and acts as a lid as well as a probe holder.
The Probe holder has spare mounting studs to suit all 3 bath models.The probe holder has holes for 10 off probes to Ø12.5mm and also 8 off probes to Ø6.5mm.

Technical Specification
Parameter 5 litre 7 litre 12 litre
Dimensions L x W x H (mm) 351 x 260 x 183 351 x 260 x 233 351 x 260 x 358
Bath opening (mm) 140 x 140 140 x 140 140 x 140
Working depth (mm) 125 175 300
Shipping Weight 5kg 9kg 9kg
* LCB baths fitted with a TU-20HT thermoregulator are not suitable for use with a flow cooler
Liquid Calibration Bath LCB–5,LCB–7,LCB–12 LCB–5, LCB–7, LCB–12
Thermoregulator TU–20D TU–20HT
Bath Capacity 5 or 7 or 12 litres 5 or 7 or 12 litres
Operating temperature range 1 –35°C to +200°C ambient +10°C to +250°C
Working temperature range 2 25°C to +200°C 30°C to +200°C
Stability at �35°C (short term*) ±0.015°C Not applicable
Stability at 0°C (short term*) ±0.020°C Not applicable
Stability at 50°C (short term*) ±0.005°C ±0.005°C
Stability at 100°C (short term*) ±0.015°C ±0.015°C
Stability at 200°C (short term*) ±0.024°C ±0.024°C
Stability at 250°C (short term*) Not applicable ±0.040°C
Uniformity °C (full range **) 0.008 0.008
Accuracy °C (full range) ±0.5 ±0.5

Ordering Information
Product Code Description
FBCAL05D LCB insulated liquid calibration bath with cooling coil, Lid and Drain, 5 litre capacity
FBCAL07D LCB insulated liquid calibration bath with cooling coil, Lid and Drain, 7 litre capacity
FBCAL12D LCB insulated liquid calibration bath with cooling coil, Lid and Drain, 12 litre capacity
FBCAL7PH LCB Probe Holder