Development and manufacturing of modular laboratory organization systems (SmartRack, SmartIntegrate) made of SLS-3D-printed PA12 components and powder-coated aluminium.
Better Basics Laborbedarf GmbH
Löbtauer Str. 69, 01159 DresdenNew on Amplifa
About Better Basics Laborbedarf
Better Basics Laborbedarf GmbH, based in Dresden, develops and manufactures modular organization systems for laboratory workplaces, in particular the SmartRack as well as the SmartIntegrate product line (SmartFrame, SmartRail, SmartEdge, SmartStand, SmartCase). The idea originated at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden; together with test users from industry and research, it evolved into a modular system with more than 100 holding modules for laboratory glassware, pipettes and laboratory accessories. The plastic components are manufactured in-house using the Selective Laser Sintering process (SLS 3D printing, layer height 0.1 mm) from polyamide 12, then automatically plastic-bead-blasted and dyed. Metal components made of aluminium and stainless steel (1.4301, 1.4401) are powder-coated or anodized and are fully autoclavable. Fields of application are laboratories in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, medicine, biotechnology, the food industry and analytics, including laboratory fume hoods, safety cabinets and cleanrooms up to ISO 6. Products are in use in over 200 laboratories in Europe, Israel, the USA and countries of the Arab world. Sales are handled via distribution partners such as Berner, KNAUER, Köttermann, Momoline, Waldner and Wesemann; the company offers customization and custom-made products according to customer requirements.
- Site
- Dresden
- Processes
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS 3D printing), Plastic bead blasting (post-processing of SLS components, cleaning and surface treatment), Dyeing/coloring of 3D-printed components (preparation for downstream processes such as dyeing or, Powder coating of metal components (epoxy or polyester powder coating), Anodizing of aluminium (cling rails, frames, black anodized), Customization/custom manufacturing (individual frame sizes, modules and holders according to, Manufacturing of laboratory equipment/organization systems (SmartRack, SmartIntegrate, modules,, Customization/personalization of frames and modules
- Materials
- Polyamide 12 (PA12), Aluminium (powder-coated), Aluminium (black anodized), Aluminium (ground, SmartRack primus frame), Stainless steel V2A, Stainless steel V4A, Epoxy resin (powder coating), Polyester (powder coating)
- Certificates
- ISO 11507 (UV weathering test), EN 14175 (robustness test), ISO 9001
- Industries
- Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Food industry/Food chemistry, Pharmacy, Medicine
- 01
Engineering and customization (frames, modules)
- 02
SLS 3D printing from PA12 (layer height 0.1 mm)
- 03
Plastic bead blasting of the components
- 04
Dyeing/coloring of the PA12 components
- 05
Powder coating or anodizing of the metal parts
- 06
Assembly of the organization systems
- 07
Sales via distribution partners and dealers
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS 3D printing)
In-house manufacturing of modules and holders from PA12 with a layer height of 0.1 mm, also for individual custom shapes.
Polyamide 12 (PA12)
High-performance plastic for modules and holders, resistant to typical laboratory media and fully autoclavable.
Aluminium (powder-coated)
Frames and trays of the SmartRack classic, protected with an epoxy resin powder coating.
Aluminium (black anodized)
Cling rails and frames of the SmartRack primus, resistant to halogenated and halogen-free solvents.
Stainless steel V2A
Stainless steel frames and profiles with high corrosion resistance against aggressive media.
Stainless steel V4A
Stainless steel components for sterile applications, resistant even to concentrated acids and bases.
Epoxy resin (powder coating)
Chemical-resistant protection of metal components against solvents, acids and bases.
Polyester (powder coating)
Weather-resistant coating for metal components depending on the area of application.
Plastic bead blasting
Automated post-processing of the SLS components for cleaning and homogenization of the surface.
Dyeing/coloring
Coloring of the 3D-printed PA12 components with UV-resistant dyes from the textile and automotive industries.
Locations
Dresden
DEHeadquarters, development and manufacturing (SLS 3D printing)
- Materials
- PA12, aluminium, stainless steel
- SLS 3D printers (layer height 0.1 mm)
- Plastic bead blasting system (automated)
Products and Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selective Laser Sintering (SLS 3D printing)Additive | – | – | – | – | Polyamide 12 (PA12) |
| Plastic bead blasting (post-processing of SLS components, cleaning and surface treatment)Surface | – | – | – | – | Polyamide 12 (PA12) |
| Dyeing/coloring of 3D-printed components (preparation for downstream processes such as dyeing orSurface | – | – | – | – | Polyamide 12 (PA12) |
| Powder coating of metal components (epoxy or polyester powder coating)Surface | – | – | – | – | Aluminium, Stainless steel |
| Anodizing of aluminium (cling rails, frames, black anodized)Surface | – | – | – | – | Aluminium |
| Customization/custom manufacturing (individual frame sizes, modules and holders according toEngineering | – | – | – | – | Polyamide 12 (PA12), Aluminium, Stainless steel |
| Manufacturing of laboratory equipment/organization systems (SmartRack, SmartIntegrate, modules,Assembly | – | – | – | – | Polyamide 12 (PA12), Aluminium, Stainless steel |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLS 3D printer (Selective Laser Sintering) | – | – | Layer height 0.1 mm | – | Dresden |
| Plastic bead blasting system (automated) | – | 1 | – | 2026 (Seit | Dresden |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Quality assurance includes long-term tests for UV resistance according to ISO 11507 under artificial weathering as well as robustness tests in accordance with EN 14175. Automated process parameters in the blasting system ensure consistent, reproducible component quality.
| Evidence | Dresden |
|---|---|
| ISO 11507 (UV weathering test) | |
| EN 14175 (robustness test) | |
| ISO 9001 |
History
- 2020
Website/company presence since at least March 2020, founded with roots at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden
- 2022
SmartRack voted 'Product of the Year 2022' by LABO readers
- 2023
'Laboratory Equipment Manufacturer of the Year' (Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards) as well as 'Employer of the Future' (DIIND)
- 2024
1st place Best of Industry Award (Laboratory & Analytical Technology, SmartIntegrate); 1st place Wiley Analytical Science Award (SmartRack); TOP SERVICE Award (DIIND); 'Most Pioneering Lab System Solutions Company' (German Business Award, EU Business News)
- 2025
'Most Pioneering Lab Organisation System 2025 – Europe' (GHP Magazine); 'Lab Equipment Manufacturer of the Year 2025' (German Business Award); 'AI Innovator' (DIIND)
- 2026
Expansion of manufacturing with a plastic bead blasting system; guest on the podcast 'Labor im Ohr'