There are several different management methods for operating supply chain systems. When it comes to laboratory supply management, two methods are becoming increasingly common as necessary elements of the trade - Kanban and VMI. The Kanban method and vendor-managed inventory programs (VMIs) both offer uniquely suited solutions to make operational logistics run as efficiently as possible. What is Kanban? The Kanban method, or simply “Kanban”, is a restocking organizational method that is designed to manage production flow and reduce inefficiencies in the supply chain. The Kanban method can be us ..read more

What is a VMI Program? A VMI program is a vendor-managed inventory program. This means that the vendor decides when and how much stock to replenish instead of the laboratory. You can think of a VMI program as a symbiotic relationship, where both the vendor (lab supplier) and the lab manager (buyer) benefit. Utilizing a VMI comes with many benefits - they reduce the risk of businesses accidentally running out of lab supplies, reduce excess inventory within the supply chain, and keep overall costs low. In theory, the features of a VMI work to serve both parties, and company heads spend less ..read more

Glycerin, also commonly known as glycerol, has a chemical formula of C3H8O3. It is obtained from animal fats, plants, and is also a byproduct of biodiesel that is produced from triglycerides. What is Glycerin? Glycerin is a colorless, odorless liquid that is miscible with water. It has a consistency similar to syrup. Glycerin has a molar mass of 92.09 g/mol and a molecular density of 1.26 g/cm³. It is not corrosive and it can accept three hydrogen bonds. Glycerin has a boiling point of 290°C, a melting point of 18.2°C and a flash point of 177°C. It is characterized by a sweet taste and it is n ..read more

SUNNYVALE, CA, April 2021 – Lab Pro Inc. (est. 1979), a leading distributor of lab supplies, chemicals, PPE, cleanroom products, and microscopes, officially launches its Same Day Delivery Service, allowing labs, research facilities, and offices to ramp up their stock of supplies and productivity within 24 hours. The new service aims to provide the fastest and most practical delivery service the industry has to offer. The Same Day Service covers the delivery of chemicals, tweezers, cutters, wipes, and PPE supplies, including gloves, lab coats, frocks, bouffant caps, and shoe covers. This budget ..read more

What is a laboratory glass tube? Laboratory glassware involves a diverse range of tools and products that each serve a distinct purpose for experiments and testing. Besides regular beakers and test tubes, laboratory glassware come in an array of tubes in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Understanding the differences between the make, intended purpose, and use for each type of glass tube will help achieve the best results for each process, experiment, or test. Test tube Test tubes are the ubiquitous, simple, unmarked glass tubes often found in racks in laboratories and science classrooms ..read more

What are laboratory ovens used for? Laboratory ovens are ovens used to produce controlled temperature heating environments for sterilizing, curing, and evaporating laboratory functions. Laboratory ovens are generally different from regular drying ovens, where drying ovens pull in fresh air from the outside, most lab ovens recirculate the same air inside the unit and serve specific functions. Lab ovens are considered standard equipment and can be found in most clinical and research laboratories. What to consider when looking for a laboratory oven: Laboratory ovens come in different varieties. S ..read more

Ovens are an important piece of laboratory equipment that serve a multitude of purposes including drying, sterilizing, curing, standard preparation and so much more. There are such a large variety of ovens on the market that it can be hard to determine which ones would best suit your procedural needs. Here is a breakdown between natural and forced convection ovens. What is Convection? Convection ovens are widely used by laboratories, but what exactly does convection mean? Convection is the movement of heat through a medium such as water or air. Thus, convection is important because it accelera ..read more

Centrifuge tubes are vessels that are filled with a substance that needs to be analyzed. They are developed to fit into a centrifuge, which is a piece of laboratory equipment that rotates samples at a high speed in order to cause separation of the materials within the sample. Many laboratory processes need the assistance of a centrifuge and the centrifuge tubes are designed to fit perfectly, keep the centrifuge balanced, and stay in place during the rotation. Top Uses of Centrifuge Tubes A variety of laboratory methods require the use of centrifuge and centrifuge tubes. Environmental labs use ..read more

Scientific grade glassware is a staple found in nearly every laboratory. Glassware is easily cleaned, making it great for reuse for long periods of time, which makes it a great investment for a laboratory. It can tolerate high heat, making it vital in a number of analytical processes. And its opaque walls make it perfect for viewing solutions in.  Beakers and flasks are some of the most common laboratory pieces of laboratory equipment around. What is a Beaker? A beaker is a cylindrical piece of glassware that is marked with gradations that are used for measuring liquid volumes. Beake ..read more

What is MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone)? Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is a colorless, liquid chemical substance that is used in many industrial production processes. It is a natural solvent, making it a key component in many different chemical mixes and surface treatments. MEK - Chemical Properties: Solubility, Molar Mass and Molecular Density Methyl Ethyl Ketone (C4H8O) is an organic compound that is a strong, corrosive, naturally oxidizing agent. It is also referred to as Butanone or 2-Butanone, and while it is a particularly effective solvent itself, MEK is soluble in alcohol and water. It is a liqu ..read more