A machine that clones DNA and increases the size of DNA samples has been been reduced in size by international strategic consultancy Factorydesign for brand owner Bibby Scientific, the laboratory products manufacturer.
The Techne Thermal Cycler was originally the size of a suitcase, but was redesigned to accommodate a new technical engine and take up less space in laboratories. Now the size of a shoebox, the new model comprises stacked hub and satellite units to reduce its footprint - both units are produced from the same moulding to enable low-cost manufacture - and every component has been reconfigured and reformatted to reflect Techne brand values and corporate colours.
Although a key part of the client's brief was to make the device smaller, traditional top-loading thermal cyclers bring additional constraints to laboratory bench layouts, so the design team also developed a front-loading drawer system.
"Design is often overlooked in favour of technical functionality," said Factorydesign creative director Adrian Berry. "With the Techne Thermal Cycler we have created a product with personality, incorporating both improved functionality and a genuine physical connection with Techne brand values."
Factorydesign was appointed to the thermal cycler project after successfully designing the SPM40 for Stuart, another Bibby Scientific brand. This machine, which can test the melting point of any substance, uses image-recognition software to automate a procedure that was previously manual.