Industrial Design for Modular Laboratory Platforms – MultiLab Pro IDS

Laboratory devices are subject to strict requirements. GxP-compliant processes, secure user guidance, documentation-relevant data acquisition and high hygiene standards significantly influence development. At the same time, laboratory staff operate under time pressure and within limited workspace.

The development of the MultiLab Pro IDS therefore required more than a formal redesign. It demanded a complete reorganisation of the product architecture. Multiple measurement channels, different sensor types and both wired and wireless interfaces had to be integrated into a compact base unit. Material and geometric considerations were equally critical. The device needed to be permanently resistant to chemicals and disinfectants. Undercuts, joints and hard-to-clean areas had to be systematically reduced. At the same time, technically precise demoulding in a 2K injection moulding process had to be ensured. The technical complexity had to remain present — but not visually dominant in daily laboratory use.

Eckstein Design developed a completely new formal identity for the laboratory platform. The design language is clear, reduced and technically precise, expressing competence while integrating harmoniously into modern laboratory environments. The product architecture structures multi-channel measurement, sensor integration and interfaces in a logical and accessible way. The new generation operates entirely via touch and is significantly more compact than its predecessors. The central 7-inch display, positioned beneath a hygienic glass surface, enables intuitive operation even when wearing gloves.

Beyond usability, the constructive logic was central to the design process. The housing architecture was developed for 2K injection moulding with minimal joints, clearly defined parting lines and optimised demoulding. In close collaboration with engineering teams, surface design, wall thicknesses, radii and transitions were iteratively refined to ensure chemical resistance, cleanability and manufacturing quality. Industrial design thus became the connecting discipline between engineering, brand and production.

Further information about our approach to Industrial Design and Corporate Design illustrates how we transform technical systems into coherent product identities.

The MultiLab Pro IDS represents a new generation of compact laboratory devices that structurally integrates complex measurement technology while visually clarifying system architecture. Clear geometry, reduced joint lines and robust material selection support hygiene, durability and regulatory reliability. The new product architecture establishes the foundation for a scalable laboratory platform. This project underlines the role of industrial design as a strategic discipline — structuring complex technical systems, integrating manufacturing requirements and enabling long-term product platform development. Developed by Eckstein Design in Munich — as a long-term design partner for demanding laboratory and medical technologies.