Shown with an aluminum block installed. Can be outfitted with a wide variety of window materials depending on transmission wavelength.
Cryostats are not one-size fits all. Many different branches of science and industry rely on them, and the needs of each customer are different. While a standard cryostat may be able to suit more straightforward needs, sometimes a highly specialized custom cryostat must be designed and built from the ground up. Naturally, this results in a wide range of cryostat costs.
While staying within budget matters, selecting a dependable piece of equipment that performs exactly as needed and maintains the necessary temperature should be top priority. Saving money on a cryostat that can’t meet specifications carries a higher cost in the long run.
What to Consider in Shopping for Cryostats
- A brand’s staying power is an important clue to the quality of workmanship. Some names in cryo-cooling have been around a long time – U.S. companies like Mirion, Cryomech and Infrared (now IRLaba), for instance, all have more than 50 years in the cryogenics industry. Companies like these have grown up alongside the space program and have helped make possible medical technologies like MRI machines and cryostats. The longevity of companies like IRLabs speaks to the reliability of their work. Their experience and deep knowledge of the industry have allowed them to build a global clientele.
- You may be able to get away with purchasing a refurbished cryostat. You’ll usually pay less than half the cost of a new one, and you’ll still get you a quality cryostat. Cryostats have a reputation for lasting a long time, so buying used can be a safe bet – just make sure to buy from a company that provides a warranty.
- There are several different types of cryostats with advantages for different users. Do the research to ensure you get a machine capable of doing all you need it to do. Know what questions to ask: Does the temperature range fulfill your requirements? Can the instrument cut to the thickness you need? Will it fit your lab space? Is it easy to use?
- Don’t waste money on a cryostat that has a lot of features you don’t need. For example, if you can get away with using a manual microtome instead of a motorized one, you’ll almost certainly spend less. If, however, you are performing hundreds of turns of the wheel on a daily basis, the motorized version will save wear and tear on the user.
Getting the Best Cryostat Value
You’re not getting good value for your money if you’re not getting a quality product. While cheap would be nice, this is not a piece of equipment to compromise on. What you wind up getting with an inferior cryostat is difficulty in use, lots of frustration and costly downtime.
Given the important functions of cryostats, they must perform as intended and meet highly exacting specifications. In the case of medical use, lives can even be on the line.
IRLabs has an unequaled reputation for designing and manufacturing both standard and custom cryostats that meet expectations reliably. Working hand in hand with clients, IRLabs provides the most cost-effective cryostat solution for each individual application.
IRLabs has a reputation for:
- Offering excellent selection in size and temperature range
- Cryo-free solutions
- Controlling costs
- Minimizing cryogenic consumption and maximizing thermal conductivity
- Ergonomic design/ease of use
- Reliability
- Flexibility that includes multi-application use
IRLabs has a well-earned reputation for excellence among many scientific disciplines and industries. Since 1967, our expertise in cryogenic technologies has helped fuel exploration, scientific discovery and innovation. If any cryogenic brand can be trusted to deliver excellence at good value, it’s IRLabs.
