Design Of A Plastination Laboratory
RBG GubbinsSummary
This design has been in use for one year and has for the most part been entirely satisfactory. We use 12 liter (9" diameter X 11") stainless steel containers for dehydration, and for impregnation one of these cylinders is placed in a Heidelberg kettle, thus reducing the amount of polymer needed to cover the specimens. Specimen baskets, made from 1/4" galvanized wire mesh, are used to transfer specimens. These baskets are simply made from a piece of mesh 28" X 9" and an additional piece 9.5" square. First form a cylinder from the large piece, 8.5" diameter and 9" tall; then place the square piece over one end, cut off the excess around the edges, and solder all joints, using a propane torch. Total cost for three baskets was $20,00. Depending on size, approximately 20 specimens can be prepared for plastination at a time. Results have been quite acceptable and we are now concentrating on colour preservation and flexibility.The one flaw is the location of the vacuum pump in the cupboard under the counter. The pump is noisy and generates considerable heat. Ideally it should have been located outside the laboratory, in an isolated area that could be cooled. Apart from this, the room is quite adequate for the volume of specimens being plastinated, and the air quality is such that the other end of the room is used as a full time office. Absolutely no acetone fumes can be detected in the room at any time, and the gas cure system, if handled properly, results in only a temporary, mild irritation while actually working in the box.