TC-PLUS Thermal Cyclers Techne is established as one of the leading suppliers of thermal cyclers, with experience in the design and manufacture of thermal cyclers since 1987. The exciting new TC-PLUS range extends the potential applications to both fast and high- throughput PCR. The TC-PLUS thermal cyclers have all the latest features from a colour touchscreen to fast ramp rates, along with some innovative additions such as an automatic, non-motorised heated lid, TERS ® , thermal energy recovery system and a unique space-saving, stackable design. The TC-PLUS and Satellite units can be combined to form any multi-block format with the Satellites being controllable from either a PC or the TC-PLUS.
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TC-PLUSThermal CyclersTechne is established as one of the leading suppliers of thermalcyclers, with experience in the design and manufacture ofthermal cyclers since 1987. The exciting new TC-PLUS rangeextends the potential applications to both fast and high-throughput PCR.
The TC-PLUS thermal cyclers have all the latest features from acolour touchscreen to fast ramp rates, along with someinnovative additions such as an automatic, non-motorisedheated lid, TERS®, thermal energy recovery system and a uniquespace-saving, stackable design. The TC-PLUS and Satellite unitscan be combined to form any multi-block format with theSatellites being controllable from either a PC or the TC-PLUS.
The TC-PLUS and Satellite units are designed with afront-loading sample drawer to be space-saving,having the unique ability to stack. Bench space is ata premium in the modern laboratory so a TC-PLUSor a Satellite can be stacked onto another Satellite,with a 4-block system only requiring 0.21m2. EachTC-PLUS can directly control up to 3 Satellites or 9via a USB hub. Additionally the Satellites can alsobe controlled via a PC using the software suppliedwith every unit.
• Colour touchscreen for fast program setup
• TERS®, Thermal Energy Recovery System toreduce operational costs
• Stackable design to save on valuable bench space!
• Satellite option which can be controlled byeither the TC-PLUS or a PC
• Unique, easy to use CD-type sample drawermechanism which provides the correct pressurefor use with caps: domed or flat, heat ORadhesive seals all without the use of a motor!
• Tm calculator, which uses the Nearest Neighbouralgorithm
• Fast ramp rate of up to 5ºC/sec
• 4-year warranty*
Features
Ready to go networking
Historically Techne has provided easilyinterchangeable thermal blocks and the TC-PLUSunits are no exception. The three block options, 96x 0.2ml, 60 x 0.5ml and 384-well plate blocks allhave a gradient option, thus enabling easyoptimisation of PCR conditions such as Mg2+ andprimer concentrations and annealingtemperatures. To assist with PCR assay design a Tmcalculator which uses the Nearest Neighbouralgorithm is included, and combined with thegradient every experiment is guaranteed to beoptimised first time, every time. The new blockdesign incorporates the very latest in Peltier designand provides one of the fastest ramp ratesavailable at 5ºC/sec. One new feature of thethermal block is the TERS® system, Thermal EnergyRecovery System which harnesses the released heatduring the cooling phase for use in the nextheating phase, thus saving energy and reducingoperational costs – a must in today’s energyconscious world.
Efficient cycling
The TC-PLUS is easy to program with a large, 5.7”VGA colour touchscreen and graphical displays. Atleast 1000 programs can be stored on the TC-PLUS,so there is more than enough capacity for everyonein the lab! An easy to access USB port on the frontof the cycler makes it quick and easy to transferprotocols between both cyclers and laboratories.
Stacked with new features
Airflow during the heating and cooling phases isvital to the temperature control of the samples, sofor improved performance the venting and airflowis now front to back on the TC-PLUS. This alsoenables side-by-side positioning to further reducethe bench space required.
* 4-year warranty with blocks having a 4-year or 100,000cycle warranty – whichever comes first.
Cool thermal performance
Purchase of this instrument conveys a limited non-transferable immunity from suit forthe purchaser’s own internal research and development and applied fields other thanhuman in vitro diagnostics under non-real time thermal cycler patents of AppliedBiosystems LLC.
Prevention of sample evaporation, particularly withlow volume PCR reactions is critical for achievingthe right results every time and vital for preventingfalse negatives. The unique drawer mechanismutilises the energy of the drawer being pushedclosed to lower the heated lid into the correctposition. It accommodates all consumable typesfrom 0.5ml microtubes to 384-well plates, sealedwith either heat or adhesive seals. For applicationsrequiring lower experimental temperatures thanstandard PCR the heated lid can be set between 35and 115ºC.
PCR enabled
Features
96 well block
Max. gradient 30°C Takes 0.2ml tubes or microtitreplates: non-skirted, semi and fully skirted plates.
60 well block
Takes 0.5ml microcentrifuge tubes
384 well block
Takes non-skirted or fully skirted plates
All Techne thermal cyclers have thermal blockswhich can be interchanged by the user. The trulyuser-friendly fully interchangeable block systemallows blocks to be exchanged in a matter ofseconds without the need for special tools. Multipleblock formats are available for the different units:
Interchangable thermal blocks
The TC-PLUS and Satellite units are designed with afront-loading sample drawer to be space-saving,having the unique ability to stack. Bench space is at apremium in the modern laboratory so a TC-PLUS or aSatellite can be stacked onto another Satellite, with a4-block system only requiring 0.21m2. Each TC-PLUScan directly control up to 3 Satellites or 9 via a USBhub. Additionally the Satellites can also be controlledvia a PC using the software supplied with every unit.
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TC-Plus Workbench PC software provides the abilityto connect up to 10 Techne® TC-Plus thermal cyclersto one PC, eliminating the need to program eachthermal cycler or remember stored program names.With the ability to create and store programs: theintuitive screen layout means creating and storingprograms could not be simpler. The Workbenchstatus screen shows the position within a givenprotocol, time to complete and real temperaturecountdown for each cycler connected.
Workbench softwareThe sample drawer is designed to allow easy accessto the interchangeable block, as well as operatingthe heated lid which is brought down onto thesample carrier (a tube set or a micro-titre plate)with the correct 75 newton force to ensure itsoptimum function. A calibrated spring mechanismbrought into operation by the closure of thedrawer ensures that the lid cannot be over-tightened, thus minimising the risk of samplecarrier distortion.
Sample drawer
One new feature of the thermal block is the TERS®
system, Thermal Energy Recovery System whichharnesses the released heat during the cooling phasefor use in the next heating phase, thus saving energyand reducing operational costs – a must in today’senergy conscious world.
The TERS principle also increases heating ramp rates,resulting in faster cycling and shorter run times.
Introducing TERS®
This design feature results in a faster heating ramprate than would otherwise be possible whilstretaining all the temperature uniformityadvantages of a relatively massive aluminium block.The outcome is faster cycle times and improvedenergy efficiency: around 9% less power is requiredfor 2-step cycling and a saving of nearly 15% for 3-step cycles has been measured.
TERS®: a novel mechanism for controlling thermal cycler blocksBates, J. and Johnson, R. Biotech. International XX (2010) pp – pp.
The heat sink below the Peltier elements (in theThermo Electric Cooler, shown above as the TECmodule) is used as a heat reservoir as well as a heatdissipation system at key points during thecomplete thermal cycle, by reducing the fancooling rate in a calculated manner. This makesstored heat energy available when needed toenable quicker and more economical heatingramps by the Peltier elements than would bepossible if all heat extracted during block coolinghad been dissipated.
TERS® Feature Operation
Electrical energy in Cold side
Hot side
Heat energy that has been pumped from the cold sideplus dissipated electrical energy is stored temporarily,or removed, as heat.
TEC module
Heat absorbed from block
∆T
TC-3000The TC-3000 thermal cycler isunrivalled as the most reliable,low cost personal cycler. Designedwith research and teachinglaboratories in mind, the TC-3000offers the ultimate in low costsolutions where ease of use is highon the priority list.
• Space saving small footprint• Rapid heating rate• Adjustable heated lid• Modern intuitive programming• Ready-to-go templates• Can link with up to 32 cyclers or
to a computer
TC-3000XThe new TC-3000X personal cycleris based on the unrivalled andreliable TC-3000. The newmodel is ideal for thoselaboratories that need just thatlittle bit more, with its expandedsample capacity to accommodate48 x 0.2ml tubes or for covenience,a 48-well plate.
TC-3000GThe world’s smallest gradientcycler, the TC-3000G will hold halfa 96-well plate, in a horizontalformat so that it offers 8 columnsfor annealing temperatureoptimisation and 6 rows foroptimising reagents such as MgCl2and primer concentrations.Annealing temperatures can beoptimised over a 15ºC gradientbetween the temperatures of 20and 80ºC.
The TC-5000 gradient thermalcycler enables you to optimise yourexperiments at the “touch of ascreen”, with the same mechanicalfeatures as the TC-4000.
• Proven track record
• Graphical display
• Touchscreen
• Excellent heating rate
• Maximum heating rate of3.0°C/sec and block uniformityof ±0.3°C at 50°C
• Wide linear gradient
• Gradient calculator
• Gradient range 20°C to 70°C,maximum 30°C
• Quad Circuit Technology
• 8 Peltier units,
TC-5000The TC-4000 is one of the mostaffordable full sized thermalcyclers in the market, flexible forall your protocols and easy on yourbudget.
• High performance
• Versatile block format
• Flexible heated lid
• Intuitive programming
• Temperature range 4ºC to 99ºC
• Excellent heating rate of2.6ºC/sec
• Block uniformity of ±0.3ºC at50ºC ensures high reproducibility
• 8 peltiers;
• PC/cycler connectivity
TC-4000
Techne offers five thermal cycler models, one to fitevery users needs. Quality manufacturing,competitive prices and an industry leading 4 year or80,000 cycle warranty make the Techne series theobvious choice. All models feature Peltiertechnology, easily interchangeable blocks, intuitiveuser interfaces and networkable to a PC for ease ofcontrol and programming. Compact, robust andversatile, the range includes models to suit everyapplication and budget.
Purchase of any instrument conveys a limited non-transferable immunityfrom suit for the purchaser’s own internal research and developmentand applied fields other than human in vitro diagnostics under non-real-time thermal cycler patents of Applied Biosystems LLC.
Meet the family...
For more information on the Techne range of Thermal Cyclers. Please visit
www.techne.com www.thebestthermalcycler.com
Technical InformationSample capacity: 0.2ml 96Sample capacity: 0.5ml 60Sample capacity: 384-well YesBlock temperature range 0 to 100ºC*Block uniformity (without gradient) <±0.3ºC**Temperature accuracy <±0.2ºC**Gradient range Across the full temperature rangeMaximum gradient 30ºCMinimum gradient 1ºCPre-run sample cooling Yes, at 4ºCTemperature set point adjustment 0.1ºCMaximum heating rate 5ºC/sMinimum heating rate 0.1ºC/sMaximum cooling rate 3.0ºC/sMinimum cooling rate 0.1ºC/s
Selectable heated lid temperature 35 to 115ºC or offPre-heat lid YesWarm up time from ambient < 2 minOver-temperature cut-out YesRegulated heated lid pressure Automatic
Program interface 5.7” VGA colour touchscreen with graphical displayMaximum number of programs stored 1000Maximum number of stages per program 99Maximum number of steps per stage 99Maximum number of cycles per stage 99Programmable ramp rate Yes, 0.1ºC/s stepsMaximum hold time 99h 59m 59sMinimum hold time 1.0sGradient calculator YesIncremental/decremental temperature YesIncremental/decremental time YesPause facility YesPassword protection YesRun completion time YesEnd of program alarm Yes (can be disabled)
Auto re-start on power failure Yes with options of 10min, 30min, 1h or alwaysConnection to PC control software YesSoftware updates Available from www.techne.comTm primer calculator YesDimensions (L x W x H) 375 x 276 x 312mmWeight 14kgVoltage 100-230V, 50-60HzPowerAll test performed in 20ºC ambient temperature.
*Minimum temperature is 0ºC or 20ºC below ambient; whichever is higher.
**Block set to 50ºC for uniformity and accuracy tests
Product Code Description
FTCPLUS/02 TC-PLUS thermal cycler, 96 x 0.2mlFTCPLUS/05 TC-PLUS thermal cycler, 60 x 0.5mlFTCPLUS/384 TC-PLUS thermal cycler, 384-well platesFTCSAT/02 TC-PLUS satellite thermal cycler, 96 x 0.2mlFTCSAT/05 TC-PLUS satellite thermal cycler, 60 x 0.5mlFTCSAT/384 TC-PLUS satellite thermal cycler, 384-well platesFTCPLUS/02/B TC-PLUS block, 96 x 0.2mlFTCPLUS/05/B TC-PLUS block, 60 x 0.5mlFTCPLUS/384/B TC-PLUS block, 384-well plates
