Slide stainer — Unimeditrek automatic stainer vs Leica ST4020
A fair comparison of the Make-in-India automatic slide staining machine and the compact Leica ST4020 linear stainer — throughput, capacity, protocols, service in India and cost.
Which should you buy?
The ST4020 is a compact, small-run linear stainer (1–4 slides at a time) — ideal for a small bench or special stains. For routine high-volume H&E, our automatic stainer runs far more per hour (up to 12 baskets, parallel programs) with pan-India service — the better fit for a busy diagnostic lab.
Specifications side by side
| Specification | Automatic Slide Staining Machine | Leica ST4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Throughput | Up to 500 slides/hour | >400 slides/hour |
| Capacity | 12 baskets × 30 slides | 1–4 slides per run (4/carrier) |
| Staining / reagent stations | 30 staining stations | 14 reagent stations (50 mL) |
| Programs / steps | 20 protocols · up to 40 steps | See Leica datasheet |
| Parallel programs | Up to 12 simultaneously | See Leica datasheet |
| Drying | 2 stations · +40 to +90°C | See Leica datasheet |
| Agitation | Programmable | 0–3 dips |
| Origin | Made in India | Imported |
Leica ST4020 values are taken from the manufacturer’s official product page, checked on 4 November 2026 — source. Cells marked “See Leica datasheet” are not stated on that page and are not estimated. Automatic Slide Staining Machine values are from our product page.
Service, spares & AMC in India
| In India | Automatic Slide Staining Machine | Leica ST4020 |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer response | Within 12 hours — 4 hours for urgent / intra-operative cases | On quotation / via distributor |
| Spare parts | Held in ready stock in India | Typically imported to order |
| Standard AMC | Covers labour (parts quoted separately) | On quotation |
| Installation & training | Included, pan-India | On quotation |
5-year total cost of ownership
We sell on quotation, so compare the lifetime cost, not just the sticker. For the Automatic Slide Staining Machine your 5-year cost includes the instrument, installation and training, an AMC that covers labour (parts quoted separately), consumables and genuine spares held in India. For imported equipment, the equivalent line items — extended warranty, imported spares and per-visit service — are typically “on quotation”. Because we manufacture in India and quote direct, comparable configurations usually carry a materially lower 5-year total cost of ownership. Ask us for a line-by-line TCO for your configuration.
Tender & procurement
- Make-in-India manufacturer — supports local-content and preference-to-Make-in-India tender clauses.
- Editable technical specification, ISO 13485 & compliance sheets, warranty/AMC formats and a ready BOQ line for GeM and institutional tenders.
- CE marking / US FDA establishment registration (Class I) / CDSCO registration apply per applicable model — certificate issued on request.
Trusted across India
Unimeditrek histopathology equipment is installed at institutions including AIIMS, government medical colleges across Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, defence hospitals, Action Cancer Hospital, Action Balaji Hospital, Kailash hospitals and Stanley Lab (Ahmedabad).
Frequently asked questions
Is the ST4020 comparable to a high-volume batch stainer?
Not directly — the ST4020 is a compact linear stainer that handles 1–4 slides at a time, best for small runs or special stains. Our automatic stainer is a batch system (up to 12 baskets of 30 slides) built for routine high-volume H&E. Choose by your daily slide volume.
Does it do special stains as well as H&E?
Yes — protocols are programmable (20 protocols, up to 40 steps), so beyond routine H&E you can store and run special-stain sequences with controlled timing.