Maybe You’ve Heard of Waldner
But, in case you haven’t, here’s a little background.
Waldner Laboratory Solutions is a German company that builds laboratory casework and furniture solutions structured on a modular unit system. In layman’s terms, Waldner builds REALLY flexible lab casework and furniture. They’ve been doing it for more than 60 years and are the global leader in highly sophisticated lab systems.
Their products include fume hoods, benches, workstations, cabinets, service modules, waste disposal, and more.
Traditional lab casework involves installing cabinets, installing a counter on top, and then plumbing and electrical are embedded in them. Current flexible lab designs attempt to localize services at certain ceiling points and then use movable benches and tables that plug into the services so that they can be disconnected and easily relocated.
Waldner is in-between these two ways of designing, but it has a more thoughtful approach on getting services to the station and making things completely flexible.
Okay, now you know ABOUT Waldner, let’s talk about WHY you should care.
Why Should I Build a Waldner Lab?
If you’re not familiar with Waldner, then the easiest thing to do is show you what their labs look like.
As you can see, it doesn’t really look like anything you’re used to seeing. At first glance, you might think the only differences are in the way it looks. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We’re going to go over 4 specific reasons why you should build a Waldner Lab.
Reason #1 – Service Flexibility
Anyone familiar with labs knows that the supply of services plays a major part in any laboratory system.
In traditional lab setups, like the one below, you’ll see that the services delivery systems are fixed and stationary. The services are literally built into the counter tops.
Waldner completely changes the game here with the services delivery system.
As you can see in the above picture, Waldner services are delivered through a modular system built above the backsplash of the workstation.
The service spine provides many options during the design of the laboratory equipment for different lab layouts and rapid changes and rapid changes. As an independent unit, the service spine can be combined with freely selectable bench frames for wall-mounted work stations or for a double-sided bench.
The internal rail for compatible equipment sits below the panel surface and accommodates useful equipment such as storage shelves, reagent stands, scaffold pipes and even towel holders.
The modular, screw-less service panels can be rapidly exchanged as the need arises. This provides uncomplicated upgradeability.
Services Delivery
The flexibility doesn’t end with the modular spine design. Every part of the lab’s services delivery system can be configured in this modular way.
The service wing system defines freedom in the laboratory in a special way. This is a central furniture element that integrates all the key services such as sanitary, electrical, EDP, energy-saving lighting, extract air and also the waste-water disposal.
With its modular design, the service wing offers many independent and freely combinable expansion stages for every imaginable application. With the exchangeable service panel, valves and connections can be positioned as desired.
The use of the service wing simplifies completion of the interior and coordination of trades. One central feed point is sufficient as the Waldner system is able to distribute services throughout their components, saving costs of multiple drops and field labor.
Reason #2 – Laboratory Flexibility
In addition to the services flexibility, Waldner offers unparalleled flexibility in your use of the lab space itself.
Because of the modular design of the services delivery system, the lab furniture itself cab be easily reconfigured to accommodate new projects or personnel.
Flexible Storage
Waldner cabinets and underbench units are available in a wide variety of designs. Traditional base units can either sit on fixed plinths, be movable designs under C/H cantilever frames, or incorporate with individual support frames under fume hoods.
Flexible Benches
C-frame, H-frame and cantilever frame work benches allow for flexibility to suit your specific needs and shift on the fly as users or demands change. The guide rail allows for completely framed sliding of suspended underbench units with cantilever frames or C-frames.
Add-On Table
Used for installation in fume hood applications and allows specialty cabinets to be swapped out as needed.
Uses a bench frame with worktops made of varied materials as work and storage areas for lab work.
Has a supporting structure for chemical analysis devices and installations.
Height-Adjustable Table
This is a bench frame with worktop made of varied materials. Made for height-adjustable work and storage area for lab work.
The supporting structure is designed for chemical analysis devices and installations.
Round Table
This table is designed for installation as an additional work surface on table with H- and C- frames.
Reason #3 – Sophisticated Fume Hood Design
Lower Energy Costs
Fume hoods are traditionally the largest consumer of energy in a lab. This is because air tempering is one of the most energy intensive parts of lab services requirements. You bring air into your lab, heat or cool it for comfort, and then your fume hoods suck that air right back outside.
Remember that Waldner is a German company, and they have designed their fume hoods to function within European efficiency standards. In the US fume hoods are usually operated at 60-100 feet-per-minute. 60 FPM is very efficient by US standards. European standards peak at 60 feet per minute and go down from there. This efficient approach to air circulation can provide dramatic energy savings in the long-term operation of your laboratory.
Fume hoods are a non-negotiable. You must have these to keep your lab population safe. But they don’t have to be the energy monsters that most labs deal with. They can be functional and efficient, making your lab more environmentally friendly, as well as saving you money.
More Useable Space
In addition to being more energy efficient, Waldner fume hoods are also more space efficient. In a traditional fume hood, the sides of the fume hood are “double-walled.” This means that around 10 inches of a 4-foot fume hood are unusable. Basically, your 48″ fume hood is only 38″.
Waldner fume hoods have a very thin wall that only takes about one inch away from the usable space of the hood. A Waldner fume hood gives your user 15% more usable interior clear space.
Reason #4 – Aesthetics
The last reason we’re going to discuss is a lot harder to put into specific words. It’s less about practical reason and more about emotional weight.
There is a specific reason to install a Waldner lab that has nothing to do with the flexibility, functionality, or usability of the lab. It has everything to do with how a Waldner lab FEELS.
Universities
There are considerations in the modern lab landscape that go beyond the practical use of the lab. For universities and colleges, they have to keep an eye on prospective student attraction and where their lab facilities stand in relation to competing schools.
Private Labs
The overall employment for clinical labs is projected to grow 11% from 2018 to 2028. This growth is significantly faster than the average for other occupations. This means that the war for talent is only going to increase and competition will get steeper. The pressure will be on for labs to provide the best environments possible to woo talent and retain lab staff.
Principle Investigators
Principle investigators are researchers launching new areas of investigation. For example, a researcher may be looking to start a gene therapy cancer research project. That researcher has obtained grant money and it now looking for the right lab to setup their project. The quality, feel, and environment of your lab matters when competing for these kinds of projects.
Environment
Gone are the days of the lab cubicle. Just like the modern day office is being transformed, the modern day lab has more considerations than just practical use. The quality of the environment matters to the people working in the lab and affects productivity, staff health, staff tenure, and more.
What A Waldner FEELS Like
All that being said, at the end of the day, the Waldner lab brings an air of sophistication and innovation to the modern laboratory landscape that isn’t seen anywhere else.
Waldner takes the idea of flexibility to new levels; they wrap up long-term use and efficiency in the same package and they deliver it all with the shining glimmer of the future.
If you consider yourself “forward-thinking,” you should consider Waldner. If you have an eye on the future use of your lab space, you should consider Waldner. If you are environmentally conscious and want to know you’re being energy and space efficient, you should consider Waldner. Finally, if you want to know that your lab is the most sophisticated, innovative, and future-proof lab you can build, you should consider Waldner.