Tag Archives: TRASH

The History and Magic of Steam

Jeremy McNeal autoclave factory training

At the 2025 AALAS National Meeting in Long Beach, California, Beta Star’s Southern Regional Sales Manager, Jeremy McNeal, will take audiences on a journey through the fascinating history of steam — from ancient Greece’s “Hero’s Engine” to today’s state-of-the-art sterilizers.

Jeremy’s presentation, “The History and Magic of Steam,” explores how this natural force has powered centuries of innovation — shaping industries from mining and manufacturing to medicine and life science research.

Attendees will discover:

  • How steam’s unique physical properties make it one of the most efficient energy sources ever harnessed
  • The historical milestones that led to the first steam-powered sterilizer
  • Why steam remains the gold standard for reliable, efficient, and controllable sterilization today

Join Jeremy at AALAS 2025 in Long Beach to rediscover the science — and the magic — behind the steam that powers progress.

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  • Attend our Technical Trade Presentation on the benefits of using Control Upgrades or Rebuilds to revitalize outdated autoclaves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.

Visit Beta Star at 2019 AALAS Meeting

sterilizer video preview

This year, Beta Star will be returning to exhibit at the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) National Meeting in Denver, Colorado. At the 70th(!!!) Annual Meeting, Beta Star will be doing live demonstrations at Booth #469 of our latest innovation in door technology, the Slide and Swing Sterilizer Door. The totally revamped slide and swing mechanism maintains a tight footprint with the same dependable machined groove for dependable sterilizer door seal gasket performance and longevity.

The secret to the revamped design lies in the modular fabrication of the door itself. Through a unique effort by our engineering team, the door design allows the door to be left and right configured after fabrication is completed, helping speed the lead time for our customers by increasing inventory numbers with convertible sterilizers.

Want to see how it works? Visit our Booth (#469) at the National Meeting during the following exhibit hall hours:

  • Mon., October 14th: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tue., October 15th: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wed., October 16th: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

If you’re a service technician, make sure to grab your Technician Fun Fair questionnaire and visit our Booth, as we will help you answer your Beta Star question and give a cool pet giveaway for all Fun Fair participants!


SIMPLE. RELIABLE. STERILIZATION.â„¢

sterilizer video preview
Innovation Starts in Honey Brook

Beta Star is a international provider of steam sterilization equipment and service for vivarium, research laboratory, and pharmaceutical facilities with BSL-3 and cGMP grade sterilizers. We consistently support our customers’ unique needs through product innovations like the Slide and Swing Door, Lift and Swing Door, and Split Bulk Sterilizer solutions.

Want to learn more? Click the image to watch our video.