Let’s start by saying that we love the Forma 3110 and the more recent Thermo Forma Series II 3110 incubators. That’s not hyperbole. We’ve been working with these models for almost 30 years now and they are everything that you should want in a piece of lab equipment: durable, easy to operate, simple yet utterly functional design. When we heard that Thermo was coming out with an “improved” version we were both skeptical and a little nervous, because often improved is secret code for “lots of fancy bells and whistles with decreased longevity.”
So we were very pleasantly surprised when we received and inspected the Thermo 4110 incubator. The 6.5 cubic foot capacity chamber is virtually identical to the chamber of the 3110, so with the door open you can hardly tell the difference between the two models. The HEPA filtration is still embedded in the chamber, with continuous air filtration so that the entire chamber volume is filtered every 60 seconds. The walls are constructed of stainless steel and triple-thick which helps with both heat retention and improved energy efficiency as well as temperature uniformity throughout the chamber. The interior glass door is heated so that condensation is minimized. Other specifications are also similar to the older versions: temperature range from 5°C above ambient to 50°C, CO2 concentration range from 0% to 20%, relative humidity of greater than 90% at 37°C. Both TC or IR sensors are available. Like the 3110 models these are designed for either benchtop use, undercounter use, or they can be stacked in pairs.
The biggest change is apparent when looking at the front door of the unit and the prominent touchscreen. One of the beneficial consistencies of the 3110 was the simple control panel, and in recent years there has been a rash of over-exuberance for flashy LED touchscreens replacing simpler but more dependable screens with bright touchscreens that break regularly and need to be replaced at almost predictable intervals. Time will tell if this is the case with the Thermo iCAN touchscreen designed for the 4110 incubator, but upon first inspection this appears to be a well-built model. (Replacement screens are available and as of the time of this writing are listed at a little over $500.) The interface itself is relatively straightforward, with easy to follow menu prompts and better visibility for basic visual monitoring. The control configuration is split into six categories: settings, event logging, options, icon description, keypad lock, and software versions. The data-logging feature is a useful addition: this allows you to monitor and view events, set a recording interval (i.e. 120 seconds), download the log using a USB drive, and performance graphing. Is this 100% necessary in a cell culture incubator? Of course not. But with increased data demands and standards at the very least it is comforting to know that the 4110 has this capability.
The Thermo Series 3 is also compatible with Thermo’s DeviceLink HUB, a wireless monitoring program that monitors temperature, gas levels, alarms, and alerts from the incubator using either the RS-232 or USB output connection. (Full disclosure: we haven’t had a chance to test this system.) Alarms can be sent directly to users by both email and text.
All in all, the Thermo Forma 4110 seems like a good choice, but the final verdict is still out, dependent on whether the iCAN touchscreen shows durability over the years. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or comments regarding this model or any of the other refurbished incubators we currently have in stock.
American Instrument Exchange has been a reliable source for used laboratory and scientific equipment for over 50 years, buying and selling equipment since 1969. Our surplus lab equipment is reconditioned for many types of laboratories, including biotech, biomedical, medical research, chemical, pharmaceutical, and university and hospital research laboratories. All lab equipment listed on our website is in stock and ships from our 30,000 square foot warehouse in Massachusetts. Our facilities include a fully equipped shop with highly trained technicians who thoroughly test each instrument before it reaches your laboratory. Please visit our website at https://www.americaninstrument.com/.