Category Archives: Blog

Blog

Jeremy McNeal Joins Beta Star

Jeremy McNeal, autoclave sales manager

McNeal, an experienced sales manager, joins Beta Star’s growing autoclave sales team.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy McNeal to the Beta Star Team as Southern Regional Sales Manager for autoclaves across the Southeastern region of the United States. Jeremy brings over 18 years of experience in capital equipment sales through roles as a manufacturer’s rep, 3rd party rep, and even an entrepreneur.

In his new role, Jeremy will be providing sterilization solutions to new and existing clients. Jeremy’s deep understanding of the industry, derived from his varied professional roles, will help our customers find the right autoclave solution for their needs.

Jeremy is driven by a customer-centric problem-to-solution approach. “I find it important to work with every relevant stakeholder in an organization to learn about the unique problems, needs, and situations in their sterilization process.  This allows us to offer the best options to each customer in an industry where one-size does not fit-all,” said McNeal.

Jeremy joins the team during a time of record growth in new business. He will be a crucial part of our ability to continue to serve new customers and organizations with simple and reliable sterilization solutions.

He’ll work with our engineering and service teams to be a resource for you. Based out of a home office in the Dallas Fort-Worth area, Jeremy will be the contact for the southeastern region of the United States. This includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.

Jeremy joins fellow sales managers Lynn Johnson and Bill Purvis to provide greater sales coverage to you. Lynn will continue as Western Regional Sales Manager out of his home office in Omaha, NE. Bill will continue as Eastern Regional Sales Manager out of Beta Star’s Honey Brook, PA headquarters, covering the northeast, Canada, and parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Jeremy will be a great asset to our team. With his ability to listen to, and provide solutions for, your sterilization needs, we’re confident you’ll find him to be an asset to you. Please join us in welcoming Jeremy to the team!

Jeremy McNeal autoclave factory training
Jeremy’s first week was spent training at Beta Star headquarters. He met his coworkers, learned from engineering and service departments, and shared his insights with the team.
autoclaves sales coverage map of the United States
An updated coverage map of the US, including Jeremy’s territory, gives us more resources to better serve the autoclave sales and solution development needs of existing and future customers.
Blog

Visit Us at 2022 AALAS National Meeting

Beta Star presenting at AALAS

Beta Star Booth #116

We’re excited to be back supporting AALAS at the 2022 AALAS National Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky from October 23rd to 26th. During our visit, we encourage you to stop by the booth to glean more:

  • Attend our Technical Trade Presentation on the benefits of using Control Upgrades or Rebuilds to revitalize outdated autoclaves
  • Get unique solutions to your autoclave problems from industry experts
  • Join the Technician Fun Fair and stop by for the answer to your question
  • Learn more about ISO 13849 as it applies to autoclave operator safety

Technical Trade Presentation | Control Upgrades and Rebuilds

Replacing existing autoclaves comes with a host of challenges. Facility disruptions, a reduction in autoclave throughput, and wasted materials are some drawbacks of replacing an autoclave before the machine has reached its end of life. With a control upgrade or rebuild, you can realize new autoclave functionality with additional features such as the Beta Connect Internet of Things (IoT) systems and upgraded user security. Come see our presentation:

Beta Star presents at 2022 AALAS National Meeting

Unique Solutions from Industry Experts

Our sales managers Bill Purvis and Lynn Johnson, industry experts with a combined 70 years of experience in sterilization, will be in the booth (#116). As in-person collaboration and problem-solving opportunities have become scarce, visiting our booth gives you the opportunity to develop solutions to your problems. Get help by addressing:

  • Cycle operation issues
  • Egress issues
  • Load type questions

Tech Fun Fair Questions (and Free Gift!)

If you are participating in the Technician Fun Fair, stop by our Booth (#116) during the Exhibit Hall Hours! You’ll get the answer to our question, and get a free gift. What is that gift? Well…. you’ll have to visit our social media accounts to get your answer (publishes on Thursday, October 13th)

Learn about ISO 13849 and why it matters for autoclave operator safety.

In summary, ISO 13849 is the standard for creating guidelines for operator safety on machinery with control systems. It provides an additional level of comfort for equipment operators, which guides our controls engineering team throughout the software design progress. When desired, ISO 13849 can be implemented on any existing autoclave with a control rebuild. Read our case study about implementation at a veterinary facility in the Mid-Atlantic.

Blog

Autoclave Control System Upgrades

autoclave control system upgrades

Outdated Autoclave Control System?

As autoclaves age, their control system ages as well. Many components of the autoclave are correctly categorized as wear items, such as valves and gaskets. Consistent evaluation and replacement of these components extends autoclave longevity and prevents maintenance issues from accumulating. While not a high-wear item, the control system of an autoclave can quickly become obsolete as the speed of technological and hardware advancements increases. Control system obsolescence may not sound like a significant problem, but consider:

Troubleshooting Autoclave Control System Issues

Outdated board-based machines are complex, limiting diagnostic and troubleshooting. If the motherboard manufacturer no longer provides support or replacement parts, any issue can render the machine inoperable. Modern control systems provide flexible and easy troubleshooting options as insurance against extended downtime events.

System Updates Increase Functionality

Nearly all digital devices that exist today have annual or semi-annual updates, which deliver increased functionality and features. For autoclaves, these updates improve control, customization, and archiving of user login functionality, data storage, cycle parameters, and global parameters.

Control Upgrades vs. Rebuilds

Control Upgrades

When the chamber and mechanical systems are in good condition,
a control-only replacement is recommended.

Control Rebuilds

A complete control rebuild is recommended when the chamber is in
good condition but mechanical and control system components need
replacing. If the chamber is beyond usable life, a new autoclave is required.

What to Expect With a Control System Upgrade or Rebuild

Whether a control upgrade or rebuild is completed on your autoclave, value add features ensure you receive the assets and resources necessary to operate your autoclave control. Beta Star’s use of non-proprietary parts on new equipment extends to upgrades, which reduces supply chain issues and lifetime cost-of-ownership. Upgrading a control system provides contemporary, industry-standard software with optional Beta Connect capability. Included in each autoclave are:

  • Custom Drawings: provide guidance for continual maintenance of the autoclave. Each drawing package is customized to the upgrade with a P&ID, electrical drawings, and the pneumatic manifold drawing when applicable.
  • Operations Manuals: we equip customers with the tools to ensure proper use and functionality of upgraded autoclaves. Along with the Operators Manual and Maintenance Schedule, we include a custom P&ID and electrical schematics.
  • Testing Documentation: when requested by the customer, we turnover Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) Documentation with optional execution by Beta Star technicians.
  • Custom Fascia/Enclosure: with careful analysis of each facility, we incorporate custom fascia panels and enclosure systems into each project to give a professional look with cleanable surfaces.

Beta Star’s talented team can perform control system upgrades on nearly every autoclave, regardless of manufacturer. To read more about Control System Upgrades and Rebuilds, download the PDF here.