How long does it take to manufacture a custom grossing station?

Custom grossing station lead times vary based on configuration complexity and current order volume. Contact AMC at 1-888-792-9315 early in your project planning — ideally 3-6 months before needed — to confirm current lead times and reserve production capacity.

What information does AMC need to design a custom grossing station?

AMC's design process typically requires: room floor plan with dimensions, utility rough-in locations (drain, water supply, exhaust duct), workflow description (specimen volume, types, staffing), photograph or sketch of existing station (for replacements), and any specific accessory or integration requirements.

Can AMC match an existing grossing station design for lab expansion?

Yes. AMC can design custom grossing stations to match the dimensions, materials, and configuration of existing stations in your lab, ensuring consistency across expansion. Provide photographs and measurements of the existing station.

What is the maximum custom size available for AMC grossing stations?

AMC manufactures custom stainless steel casework without fixed size limitations. Practical limits are determined by facility access (doorway dimensions for delivery) and manufacturing cell capabilities. Contact AMC to discuss any oversized configurations.

Does AMC provide shop drawings for custom grossing stations?

Yes. AMC provides dimensional drawings for custom configurations to support facility coordination with architects, mechanical engineers, and construction teams. Contact AMC at 1-888-792-9315 to request drawings for your project.

Custom Pathology Grossing Station Design — What to Specify Before You Buy

May 31, 2026 4 min read

Why Custom Configuration Matters for Grossing Stations

A pathology grossing station is not a commodity product that can be selected from a catalog and installed without thought about the specific workflow it will support. The gross room is where pathologists and pathology assistants spend the majority of their working day — the ergonomics, organization, and workflow integration of the grossing station directly affect both the quality of diagnostic work and the physical wellbeing of the staff performing it. A custom-configured station, designed around the specific requirements of the lab, provides meaningfully better performance than a standard catalog unit.

AMC's pathology grossing station is available in custom configurations. This guide walks through every design decision you need to make before placing your order. For a broader overview of grossing station types and specifications, see our grossing station buyer's guide.

Step 1: Define Your Workflow Before You Design

Specimen Volume and Types

Start by characterizing your specimen volume and mix. A lab processing 50 specimens daily has different workflow requirements than one processing 150. A lab with high complexity cases (total proctocolectomies, hemipelvectomies) needs more work surface area than a lab primarily handling biopsies. Document your average daily specimen count, your top-5 highest-complexity specimen types by size and handling requirement, and any anticipated workflow changes (program expansion, new service lines).

Staffing Configuration

Determine whether the station will be used by one person at a time or by pathologist + PA simultaneously. Dual-user configurations need wider work surfaces and may need two sink positions. Document any workflow handoffs — if the pathologist dictates while the PA sections, both need adequate elbow room at the station without interfering with each other.

Photography and Documentation Requirements

Modern pathology requires systematic specimen photography for gross documentation. Determine where photographs will be taken — at the station or at a separate photography station — and design the grossing station work surface accordingly. A photography setup at the station requires consistent, shadow-free lighting and a designated clear area of the work surface that can be kept clean and uncluttered for photos.

Step 2: Determine Work Surface Dimensions

Length

The minimum station length is determined by the largest specimen type plus staging space for containers, instruments, and cassettes. A colectomy can be 60+ inches when unfolded — staging it on a work surface requires at least 72 inches of clear length. For most general surgical pathology labs, a work surface length of 60-84 inches is appropriate. Larger and higher-volume labs may specify 96-inch or longer custom surfaces.

Depth

Standard work surface depths are 24-30 inches. Deeper surfaces provide more working room but increase reach distance to the back of the station. Ergonomic guidelines suggest that frequently accessed items should be within 18-20 inches of reach — plan station depth accordingly. Backsplash height (the vertical surface at the back of the counter) should be specified to contain splash from the sink and preserve walls.

Height

Specify working height based on the primary user's anatomy. As described in our adjustable height autopsy table guide, the optimal working surface height is approximately elbow height minus 2-4 inches. For a fixed-height grossing station used by multiple staff members, specify at a height that accommodates the range of users — or specify an adjustable-height configuration.

Step 3: Configure the Sink

Sink Position

Sink position relative to the primary work surface is a critical ergonomic decision. The sink should be accessible without requiring the user to move away from the active specimen — typically integrated at one end of the work surface or positioned immediately adjacent to the specimen examination area. Left-end or right-end sink positioning is determined by the dominant hand of the primary user and the natural direction of specimen workflow through the station.

Faucet Type

Specify foot-pedal faucet controls for hands-free operation — the same logic that applies in autopsy settings applies here: hands contaminated with specimen material should not touch faucet handles. See our foot-pedal sink guide for foot-pedal mechanism details.

Spray Hose

A spray hose at the grossing sink provides directed water delivery for specimen rinsing, surface cleaning, and blood removal from specimens. Specify a retractable spray hose that returns to a holder when not in use, keeping the work area clear.

Step 4: Specify Ventilation Integration

Work with your mechanical engineer to determine the exhaust CFM required for your formalin use volume and room configuration. Specify the exhaust connection position relative to the station to coordinate with the building exhaust duct routing. Downdraft exhaust (from below the work surface) and side-draft exhaust (from the back of the station) each have different duct routing implications — determine which approach works for your facility before finalizing the station design.

Step 5: Plan Storage and Accessories

Under-Counter Storage

Under-counter space in a grossing station can be used for cabinet storage of specimen containers, formalin, and supplies. Doors or drawers keep supplies organized and contained. Specify door and drawer configurations based on the supplies your lab stages at the station.

Open Shelving

Open shelving above or beside the work surface provides accessible staging for frequently used items — cassette holders, container types, measuring instruments, and dictation equipment. Open shelving is faster to access than cabinets for items needed constantly during grossing sessions.

See our stainless steel lab casework guide and custom stainless steel cabinetry guide for broader casework design guidance. Also review our compliance roadmap for regulatory requirements that affect grossing station design.

Ready to design your custom pathology grossing station? Call 1-888-792-9315 or email service@mymortuarycooler.com. AMC's design team will guide you through every specification decision and provide dimensional drawings for facility coordination. Section 179 deductions up to $1,250,000 apply with 24-hour financing. Qualifying orders include FREE Level 2 White-Glove Installation. Visit our contact page.