Microplate mixer

Introduction

A microplate mixer is a laboratory instrument used for the mixing of the contents of the microplates, such as the 96-well and the 384-well plates, and it is used in the molecular biology, the biochemistry, the clinical, and the research laboratories for the mixing of the samples and the reagents in the microplates. The microplate mixer consists of a base with a motor and a platform that holds the microplates, and it provides an orbital, a linear, or a vibrating mixing motion, with the adjustable speed, and it mixes the contents of the wells by the agitation, with features such as the adjustable speed and the timer; the microplate mixer is used for the mixing of the samples and the reagents in the microplates, for the resuspension of the pellets, for the mixing before the measurement, for the incubation with the mixing, for the homogenization, for the mixing of the assay components, and for many other applications, and it is compact and designed for the benchtop use, and it is available in various configurations, with the different platform sizes and the mixing motions; the microplate mixer provides a rapid and a uniform mixing of the microplate contents, and it is an essential instrument in the microplate-based assays. Microplate mixers are used in the molecular biology and the biochemistry laboratories, in the clinical laboratories, in the pharmaceutical industry, in the research institutions, and for many other applications. With their microplate mixing, microplate mixers are essential for the plate-based assays.

Microplate Mixer LMMX-T2010

Microplate Mixer operates with a speed range up to 1,500 rpm for single plates. The double microplate speed is adjustable up to 1,000 rpm for flexible mixing. It features a brushless DC ...

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Standards

IEC 61010-2-051:2018-Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for mixing and stirring

Complies with the above standards, but is not limited to them.

Features

1. Microplate mixer for rapid, uniform mixing of samples in 96-well and 384-well microplates.

2. Compact orbital or vortex mixer designed specifically for microplates with controlled speed and time.

3. Suitable for molecular biology, biochemistry, clinical, pharmaceutical, food and research laboratories.

4. Includes mixer body, microplate platform, speed controller, timer, power supply and operation manual.

5. Supports mixing of ELISA assays, PCR setup, reagent resuspension, cell assays and samples in microplates.

FAQ

Q1: What testing scenarios is this mixer mainly applied to?

A: The microplate mixer is used in molecular biology, biochemistry, clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and research laboratories to provide rapid, uniform mixing of samples in 96-well and 384-well microplates, ensuring consistent reagent distribution, resuspension, and reaction initiation across all wells - critical for assay reproducibility and reducing edge effects. It supports ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - reagent mixing (antibody, conjugate, substrate addition), incubation with mixing (improves binding kinetics and uniformity across plate; reduces well-to-well variation), washing steps (resuspend wash buffer), molecular biology (PCR/qPCR setup (master mix resuspension, reagent mixing before aliquoting to wells), nucleic acid extraction (reagent mixing in plates, elution resuspension), LAMP/isothermal amplification (reagent mixing), cell biology (cell-based assays (resuspend cells, mix reagents, MTT/CCK-8 assays), staining (resuspend stains, uniform distribution), spheroid/organoid assays (gentle mixing), clinical diagnostics (immunoassays (ELISA, chemiluminescence), coagulation assays, hematology (reagent mixing), urinalysis, serology), pharmaceutical (dissolution testing (sample collection in plates, reagent mixing), high-throughput screening (compound plates, assay plates - mixing compounds with reagents), stability studies), food and beverage (microbial testing (ELISA for pathogens/allergens), residue testing, sample prep), and general laboratory (any 96/384-well plate application requiring consistent mixing (resuspension of precipitates, reagent homogenization, color development, reaction initiation); microplate mixers are designed to avoid splashing/cross-contamination between wells while providing thorough mixing).

Q2: What standards does the mixer comply with?

A: The microplate mixer follows relevant IEC, ISO and GB/T standards including IEC 61010 (safety requirements for electrical laboratory equipment), and applicable laboratory equipment standards. The hardware complies with EMC standards (IEC 61326). For regulated use (clinical, GMP), follow applicable equipment management. Calibration verifies shaking speed (RPM) with tachometer and timer accuracy. For in vitro diagnostic (IVD) use, the mixer may need to comply with IVD regulations (FDA, CE IVD, NMPA) if used with diagnostic assays. General laboratory equipment otherwise.

Q3: What is the warranty period for the whole mixer and key components?

A: The whole microplate mixer is covered by a 12-month warranty. The motor, drive mechanism, microplate platform/holder, controller, timer, and housing are covered, while microplate holder (wear/replaceable - if removable), non-slip mat, power cord, and fuses are consumables/accessories. Damage from improper use, liquid spillage (corrosion - clean promptly; microplate mixers often have spills from plates), overloading (multiple plates or heavy stacks), motor/bearing failure, dropping, or unauthorized repair is excluded. Extended warranty may be available. Motors/bearings last 5-10 years with normal use; plate holders may wear from repeated plate insertion/removal.

Q4: Is this device difficult to operate? Is professional training required?

A: Operation is very simple (place microplate on holder, set speed/time, start). No professional training required. We provide operation manuals. Proper setup (place on stable, level surface (microplate mixers vibrate - unstable surface causes movement, noise; ensure bench solid), ensure adequate ventilation (motor generates heat - do not block vents), connect power), plate loading (place microplate (96-well or 384-well) securely in holder (some mixers have specific plate holders for standard footprint (127.76 x 85.48 mm ANSI/SBS standard); ensure plate is seated and locked (prevents plate from flying off during mixing); do not stack plates (unless mixer designed for stacking - most mix one plate at a time; stacking causes uneven mixing, plate damage), cover plate with lid or sealing film (prevents evaporation, splashing, cross-contamination between wells during mixing - especially important for high-speed mixing), do not overload (follow max plate weight; some mixers handle 1-4 plates, others only 1), speed setting (set speed based on application: gentle (300-800 RPM for cell assays, delicate samples, low volumes - avoid splashing), moderate (800-1500 RPM for ELISA, reagent mixing, resuspension), vigorous (1500-3000 RPM for thorough resuspension, hard-to-mix reagents - ensure plate is sealed to prevent cross-contamination); start at low speed and increase gradually (prevents splashing; some mixers have soft-start), set timer (5-60 seconds typical for resuspension; 1-5 min for incubation with mixing; some assays require continuous mixing), operation (monitor initially (check for excessive vibration, plate movement, splashing; if plate moves or liquid splashes, reduce speed or ensure plate is secured), do not leave valuable/hazardous samples unattended for long periods), post-operation (stop, wait for platform to stop before removing plate, remove plate carefully (check for leaks, cross-contamination between wells - if splashing occurred, discard plate or note), clean platform/holder (wipe with mild detergent/70% ethanol, especially after spills (buffer/reagent residue can contaminate future plates; allow to dry), maintenance (regular cleaning (weekly or per SOP - wipe platform, holder, exterior; remove spills immediately; clean plate holder (can be removed and washed for some models)), speed verification (every 6-12 months with tachometer), motor/bearing inspection (listen for unusual noise (grinding, squealing indicates bearing wear; check for overheating), troubleshooting (excessive vibration/noisy (unbalanced load (plate not centered, uneven well volumes), worn bearings, loose holder - rebalance plate, service, tighten holder), speed inaccurate (calibrate, service motor/controller), plate moves/flies off (holder not securing, speed too high, plate not standard size - secure holder, reduce speed, use standard SBS footprint plate), splashing/cross-contamination (speed too high, plate not covered, large well volumes - reduce speed, cover with lid/seal, reduce volume (do not fill wells >80% for mixing)), no power (check outlet, fuse, power cord; call service), motor overheating (overloaded, blocked vents, continuous high-speed use - reduce load, clear vents, allow cool-down), and safety (do not overload (plate holder capacity specified - overloading damages motor/bearings, causes imbalance), do not use with volatile/flammable solvents near ignition sources (motor can spark - use fume hood or explosion-proof mixer; ensure proper ventilation), do not place hands near moving platform while operating (pinch hazard), secure plate (loose plate can fly off at high speed - injury, contamination, sample loss; always use holder and lock), chemical safety (samples may contain hazardous reagents (acids, bases, toxins, radioactive - handle with PPE; clean spills promptly; dispose per regulations), do not mix unsealed plates at high speed (aerosolization, cross-contamination - use lids/sealing film) are important for reliable, safe microplate mixing.

Q5: What is the typical lead-time for order delivery?

A: Standard models require 7-30 working days. In-stock units can ship within 3-7 working days. Custom configurations or large built-to-order systems may require additional time, and we confirm the exact schedule before order confirmation.

Q6: Is regular calibration required? What is the recommended calibration cycle?

A: Shaking speed (RPM) verification recommended every 6-12 months using calibrated tachometer or optical RPM meter (verify at multiple settings (e.g., 500, 1000, 2000 RPM); accuracy typically +/- 5-10% for analog, +/- 2-5% for digital; if significantly off, service/adjust). Timer accuracy (if equipped) every 6-12 months. For heated models: temperature calibration every 6-12 months with certified thermometer. Routine functional check before each use (turn on, verify smooth rotation, no unusual noise, plate holder secure). Full maintenance annually (motor, bearings, drive mechanism, electrical). For regulated labs (GMP, ISO 17025, CLIA, IVD), follow applicable equipment maintenance schedules and maintain records. Microplate mixers are low-maintenance; speed verification ensures reproducible mixing for assays (especially ELISA and high-throughput screening where mixing consistency affects results).

Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?

A: Microplate holder (replacement - may be universal (standard SBS footprint) or model-specific; some mixers have fixed platform with non-slip mat, others have interchangeable holders for different plate types (96, 384, deep-well)), non-slip mat (if used - platform-size specific), microplates (consumable per assay - standard ANSI/SBS footprint 96/384-well plates from various suppliers (Corning, Greiner, Thermo, Eppendorf) - universal), plate lids/sealing film (for evaporation/cross-contamination prevention - standard), power cord, and cleaning supplies are available from laboratory supply companies, though plate holders may be mixer-specific (verify compatibility). Long-term consumable cost is minimal (occasional holder/mat replacement; microplates are per-assay consumables not part of mixer).

Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?

A: Customization includes plate capacity (single plate (standard, compact) or multi-plate (2-4 plates simultaneously - for higher throughput; some hold deep-well plates, others standard)), mixing motion (orbital (circular - most common, good general mixing), vortex/vibrating (vertical vibration - for resuspension, less splashing), linear (reciprocating - directional), pulse (on/off pulsing - for delicate resuspension without splashing)), speed range (0-1500 RPM (gentle, for cells/assays), 0-2500 RPM (standard, for ELISA/reagent), 0-3000+ RPM (high-speed, for thorough resuspension)), speed control (analog (dial, simple, durable) or digital (LED display of actual RPM, memory presets, soft-start/stop, timer, pulse mode, programmable (multiple speed/time steps)), temperature control (mixer only (room temp) or heated (37-45 degrees C for ELISA incubation with mixing - incubator-mixer combo; some have cooling (4-45 degrees C)), construction (platform material (stainless steel (durable, easy to clean), plastic (lightweight, low cost)), housing (metal (durable) or plastic (lightweight, low cost)), plate holder (fixed (simple) or interchangeable (for 96/384/deep-well plates), non-slip surface), accessories (extra plate holders, plate lids, sealing film, calibration certificate), safety (overload protection, soft-start, timer with auto-shutoff, audible alarm), certifications (CE, cULus, FCC), language and accessories. Additional plate holders and accessories can be ordered separately.

Q9: Does the purchase include on-site installation and commissioning service?

A: Standard delivery includes microplate mixer, plate holder, power cord, and instruction manual. On-site installation is not required (plug-and-play - place on bench, insert plate, set speed, start). On-site training not included (operation is intuitive). Remote guidance provided.

Q10: What types of samples are compatible with this equipment?

A: The microplate mixer mixes samples in standard 96-well and 384-well microplates (ANSI/SBS footprint 127.76 x 85.48 mm) including ELISA plates (high-binding, medium-binding, streptavidin-coated - antibody/antigen/conjugate/substrate mixing and incubation), PCR/qPCR plates (0.2 mL 96-well, 384-well - master mix resuspension, reagent mixing before thermal cycling; note: do not mix after adding enzyme if it could cause issues; mix before aliquoting), cell culture plates (flat-bottom, round-bottom, U-bottom - cell resuspension, reagent mixing, MTT/CCK-8/WST assays, staining; use gentle speed for adherent cells (high speed can detach cells)), deep-well plates (1-2 mL per well - sample prep, extraction, storage; require higher torque mixer), assay plates (immunoassay, coagulation, clinical chemistry), storage plates (reagent resuspension), and any standard microplate with liquid samples requiring mixing. NOT compatible with: Non-standard plate sizes (use correct holder; do not force non-SBS plates - may not seat properly, fly off), very small volumes (<10-20 microliters per well (evaporation risk, mixing may not reach liquid - use gentle pulse or pipette mixing), high-viscosity materials (microplate mixer has limited torque - may not mix thick pastes/gels effectively; use pipette mixing or vortex individual tubes), cell cultures requiring CO2 (no CO2 control - for mammalian cell incubation with mixing, use CO2 incubator with plate shaker or heated mixer with CO2 chamber), plates with volatile/flammable solvents (unless fume hood/explosion-proof mixer - aerosolization risk), and stacks of multiple plates (unless mixer designed for stacking - most mix one plate; stacking causes uneven mixing, plate damage, overload). IMPORTANT: Microplate mixer fundamentals: (1) What it is: A compact laboratory mixer designed specifically for microplates (96-well, 384-well). It uses orbital (circular), vibrating, or linear motion to mix liquid in all wells simultaneously. Unlike a vortex mixer (for individual tubes), a microplate mixer handles the entire plate at once - essential for high-throughput assays where consistent mixing across all wells is critical. (2) Why microplate mixing matters: - Assay reproducibility: Inconsistent mixing causes well-to-well variation (CV), reducing assay quality (Z factor, signal-to-noise). - Reagent resuspension: Precipitated reagents (conjugates, substrates, antibodies) must be uniformly resuspended before use. - Reaction initiation: Adding reagent and mixing starts reaction uniformly across plate (important for kinetic assays). - Edge effect reduction: Proper mixing and incubation reduces edge effects (evaporation, temperature gradients at plate edges). - ELISA: Mixing during incubation improves antibody binding kinetics and reduces background. (3) Key parameters: - Speed: RPM (revolutions per minute) for orbital mixers. Typical: 300-3000 RPM. Higher = more vigorous mixing, but increased splashing/cross-contamination risk. - Orbit: Diameter of circular motion (typically 1-5 mm for microplate mixers). Small orbit = high frequency, low splashing; large orbit = more vigorous, more splashing. - Time: Typically 5-60 seconds for resuspension, 1-5 min for incubation mixing. - Plate format: Standard SBS footprint (127.76 x 85.48 mm). 96-well (well volume 50-300 microliters) or 384-well (10-100 microliters). Deep-well plates (1-2 mL) are heavier and may require higher torque. (4) Mixing motion types: - Orbital (circular): Most common. Platform moves in small circles. Creates swirling in wells. Good general mixing. - Vibrating (vertical): Platform vibrates up/down. Good for resuspension, less splashing. Some are "microplate vortexers." - Linear (reciprocating): Back-and-forth. Directional flow. - Pulse: On/off pulsing. Gentle, for delicate samples (cells, low volumes). (5) Common applications: - ELISA: After adding conjugate/substrate, mix 5-30 sec at 500-1000 RPM. During incubation (optional), mix at low speed (300-500 RPM) to improve binding. - PCR setup: Resuspend master mix, primers, probes before aliquoting. Mix plate briefly after adding all reagents (before sealing). - Cell assays: Resuspend cells before plating (gentle), mix reagents (MTT, CCK-8), stain cells (gentle to avoid detaching adherent cells). - Nucleic acid extraction: Mix lysis buffer, wash buffers, elution buffer in plates. - High-throughput screening: Mix compound plates, assay plates. (6) Best practices: - Use plate lid or sealing film during mixing (prevents evaporation, splashing, cross-contamination). Especially important for high speed (>1000 RPM) and long incubations. - Do not overfill wells (>80% volume) - causes splashing. - Start at low speed, increase gradually (soft-start if available). - Center plate in holder (unbalanced = vibration, noise). - Secure plate (lock holder, ensure plate is fully seated). - For adherent cells: use gentle speed (300-800 RPM) or pulse - high speed can detach cells. - For 384-well plates: lower volumes, use gentler speed (more evaporation/splashing risk). - Clean after spills (buffer residue affects future assays). - Calibrate speed annually (for regulated labs). (7) Common errors: - Too high speed (splashing, cross-contamination, cell detachment). - No lid/seal (evaporation, contamination). - Plate not secured (flies off, sample loss). - Overfilled wells (splashing). - Mixing too long (evaporation, especially for small volumes). - Using non-standard plate (doesn not fit holder, poor mixing). - For heated models: not allowing warm-up, incorrect temp for assay. - Ignoring calibration (speed drift affects assay consistency). (8) vs other equipment: - Vortex mixer: For individual tubes, not plates. Can use a microplate adapter on some vortexers, but dedicated microplate mixer is more consistent. - Thermoshaker (with heating lid): Combines mixing + temperature control + anti-evaporation lid. More expensive, but for temp-controlled incubation (ELISA, enzyme reactions) it is better than mixer + separate incubator. - Incubator shaker: Larger, for flasks, may hold microplates but less precise for microplate mixing. - Pipette mixing: Manual, well-by-well. Slow, variable, not for high-throughput. Microplate mixer is the standard for consistent, simultaneous mixing of all wells in a plate - essential for ELISA, PCR setup, cell assays, and high-throughput screening.