California Academy Drawers

The basic difference between Cornell University and California Academy systems is that Cal. Academy drawers are .5″ (13 mm) less in height. This design allows more drawers to be housed in cabinets of the same dimensions. When used with a size #7 insect pin in unit trays, the shaft of the pin needs to be shortened slightly.</span>

BioQuip has made numerous improvements this drawer during the past 50 years including adaptation of the one-piece fabrication method whereby the glass top fits the drawer frame precisely. This is accomplished by milling to tolerances of thousandths of an inch during the critical splitting operation. The tight fit significantly reduces chances of infestation, and eliminates rapid fumigant loss.

Hardboard drawer bottoms are glued into a recessed groove on the inside of the wood frame 1/8″ from the bottom of the drawer. This design provides a tight seal and further reduces the possibility of external pest infestation. Hooks are used primarily for cosmetic uniformity in existing collections. They are not necessary for holding the top to the bottom section of a drawer.

Cal. Academy drawers are offered with pine as originally designed, or poplar hardwood. Customer response to poplar drawers has been positive, and many collections have changed their call-out for insect drawers to poplar.