Circular shaker

Introduction

A circular shaker is a laboratory shaker that provides the circular shaking motion, used for the mixing and the agitation of the samples, and it is used in the biology, the chemistry, the microbiology, the research, and the many other laboratories. The circular shaker consists of a shaking platform with the holders or the clamps, a motor with the mechanism, which provides the circular motion, a speed control, and the housing, and it shakes the samples in the circular motion, with the speed adjustable; the circular shaker is used for the mixing of the solutions, for the cultivation of the cultures, for the extraction, for the staining, for the hybridization, and for many other applications, and it is available in various sizes and configurations; the circular shaker is an essential instrument for the mixing and the agitation. Circular shakers are used in the biology laboratories, in the chemistry laboratories, in the microbiology laboratories, in the research, and for many other applications. With their circular motion, circular shakers are essential for the gentle and the efficient mixing.

Circular Shaker LCCS-T2010

Circular Shaker is a compact design that provides circular shaking at a rotational speed of 50 to 300 rpm. It is equipped with advanced an interchangeable stage that can accommodate a ma...

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Circular Shaker LCCS-T2011

Circular Shaker is a compact bench-top design that offers a temperature range of 4°C to 45°C. It utilizes advanced DC brushless motor technology along with microcomputer control to de...

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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. Circular shaker for orbital or circular agitation of samples in flasks, plates and vessels in laboratory.

2. Rotary platform shaker with adjustable speed and orbit for mixing, extraction, staining and incubation applications.

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

4. Includes shaker body, circular platform, speed controller, timer, power supply, non-slip mat and operation manual.

5. Supports circular/orbital mixing of cultures, stains, blots, samples, reagents and extractions in various lab vessels.

FAQ

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

A: The circular shaker (orbital shaker) is used in molecular biology, biochemistry, clinical laboratories, food and beverage, environmental, research, and industrial settings to provide circular/orbital agitation (typically 10-500 RPM, orbit 10-50 mm) of samples in flasks, beakers, microplates, and trays, supporting mixing, extraction, staining, incubation, and general laboratory agitation. It supports molecular biology (Western blot (antibody incubation on membrane in tray - orbital shaking ensures even coverage, reduces background; typically room temp or 4 degrees C (if unit is cold-room compatible or in incubator), Southern/Northern blot hybridization, ELISA (microplate incubation - orbital shaking improves binding kinetics and uniformity; 37 degrees C if in incubator), staining (Coomassie, silver stain, Ponceau - rocking/orbital for even stain), immunoprecipitation (if using orbital instead of rotator - gentle mixing), cell biology (cell culture (suspension culture in flasks - orbital shaking provides aeration and mixing for bacterial/yeast/insect cell suspension culture; typically in incubator at 37 degrees C (bacteria) or 27-28 degrees C (insect cells); 100-300 RPM with appropriate orbit), staining/fixation), biochemistry (enzyme assays, dissolution studies, binding assays, reagent mixing, extractions (liquid-liquid, solid-phase - orbital mixing for phase separation/equilibration), clinical (sample mixing, reagent incubation, serology, blood banking (some applications)), food and beverage (sample extraction, homogenization, microbial culture (food microbiology - enrichment cultures in flasks with shaking for aeration), environmental (water sample analysis, soil extraction, microbial culture), and industrial/QC (product testing, reagent preparation, sample mixing, dissolution testing, paint/coating mixing (small samples)).

Q2: What standards does the shaker comply with?

A: The circular shaker 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, follow GMP/ISO 17025 equipment management. Calibration verifies shaking speed (RPM) with calibrated tachometer, and timer accuracy. For incubator-shaker models, temperature calibration with certified thermometer. Circular shakers are general laboratory equipment, not medical devices unless specified.

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

A: The whole circular shaker is covered by a 12-month warranty. The motor, drive mechanism (eccentric, bearings), platform, controller, timer, and housing are covered, while non-slip mat (wear/replaceable), platform clamps/holders (accessories), power cord, and fuses are consumables/accessories. Damage from improper use, overloading (exceeding platform weight/volume - causes motor strain, imbalance, vibration), liquid spillage (corrosion - clean promptly; some models have spill-resistant design), motor/bearing failure, dropping, or unauthorized repair is excluded. Extended warranty may be available. Motors/bearings last 5-10 years with normal use; continuous high-load operation shortens life.

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

A: Operation is simple (place samples on platform, secure, set speed/time, start). No professional training required for basic use. We provide operation manuals. Proper setup (place on stable, level surface (shakers vibrate - unstable surface causes movement, noise, inconsistent shaking; ensure bench is solid), ensure adequate ventilation (motor generates heat - do not block vents; if using in incubator, ensure unit is rated for incubator use (some shakers are not - electronics can fail at high temp/humidity; verify rating), connect power), sample loading (select appropriate platform accessories (non-slip mat for trays/plates, flask clamps for Erlenmeyer flasks, microplate holders, tube racks; ensure samples are securely attached (loose flasks can slide, break, spill; use clamps, tape, or dedicated holders), balance the load (distribute weight evenly across platform (unbalanced load causes excessive vibration, noise, wear, and can damage motor/bearings; if odd number, balance with blank vessel of equal weight), ensure vessels are capped/sealed (prevent spills, contamination, evaporation; for aeration (cell culture), use loose caps or breathable plugs (allow gas exchange), do not overload (follow max platform weight and volume per flask (typically fill flasks to 20-30% of nominal volume for good aeration/mixing; overfilled flasks have poor mixing/aeration), speed setting (set speed based on application: gentle (10-50 RPM for blots, antibodies, staining; moderate (50-150 RPM for mixing, extractions, ELISA; vigorous (150-300 RPM for cell suspension culture, microbial culture; 300-500 RPM for high-speed mixing (ensure vessels are securely clamped; start at low speed and increase gradually (prevents spills, splashing; some shakers have soft-start), set timer if needed (1-120 min or continuous; for long incubations (overnight), use continuous mode and verify stability before leaving), operation (monitor initially (check for excessive vibration, noise, movement; if shaker walks across bench, reduce load/speed or secure unit; do not leave valuable/hazardous samples unattended for long periods without verification), post-operation (stop, wait for platform to stop before removing samples (removing while moving causes spills), remove samples carefully (check for leaks, condensation), clean platform (wipe with mild detergent/70% ethanol, especially after spills (protein/buffer residue can contaminate future experiments; allow to dry), maintenance (regular cleaning (weekly or per SOP - wipe platform, exterior, remove spills immediately; clean non-slip mat (can be removed and washed)), speed verification (every 6-12 months with tachometer), motor/bearing inspection (listen for unusual noise (grinding, squealing indicates bearing wear; check for overheating), lubrication (some bearings require periodic lubrication per manufacturer; do not over-lubricate), troubleshooting (excessive vibration/noisy (unbalanced load - rebalance; worn bearings - service; loose platform - tighten; damaged motor mount), speed inaccurate (calibrate, service motor/controller), shaker moves/walks (unstable surface, unbalanced load, too high speed - stabilize, rebalance, reduce speed), 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 (platform weight capacity is 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 shaker; ensure proper ventilation), do not place hands near moving platform while operating (pinch hazard, especially with clamps), do not leave flammable/hazardous samples unattended (spill risk), secure all vessels (loose glassware can break and cause injury/contamination) are important for reliable and safe shaking.

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., 50, 150, 300 RPM); accuracy typically +/- 5-10% analog, +/- 2-5% digital; if significantly off, service/adjust). Timer accuracy (if equipped) every 6-12 months. For incubator-shaker models: temperature calibration every 6-12 months with certified thermometer (verify at set points (25, 37 degrees C); uniformity across platform). Routine functional check before each use (turn on, verify smooth rotation, no unusual noise). Full maintenance annually (motor, bearings, drive mechanism, electrical). For regulated labs (GMP, ISO 17025, CLIA), follow applicable equipment maintenance schedules and maintain records. Circular shakers are low-maintenance; speed verification ensures reproducible mixing for experiments (especially cell culture, where RPM affects aeration/growth rate).

Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?

A: Non-slip platform mat (replacement - specific to platform size; silicone/rubber mat), flask clamps (for Erlenmeyer flasks - various sizes (125 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, 2 L; may be universal or platform-specific), microplate holders (for 96-well plates - standard size, may be universal), tube rack holders, tape (for securing vessels - laboratory tape), power cord, and fuses are available from laboratory supply companies, though platform-specific accessories (clamps, holders) may be manufacturer-specific (verify compatibility with platform dimensions and mounting system). Long-term consumable cost is minimal (occasional mat replacement, clamps if lost/broken).

Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?

A: Customization includes platform size (small (20x20 cm to 30x30 cm) for microplates, small flasks; medium (30x40 cm to 40x50 cm) for general use; large (50x70 cm+) for high-throughput, multiple large flasks), orbit diameter (small orbit (10-20 mm) - for microplates, gentle mixing, small volumes; medium orbit (25-30 mm) - general purpose, cell culture; large orbit (40-50 mm) - for large flasks, vigorous mixing, high aeration; orbit affects mixing pattern and shear (larger orbit = more vigorous, more aeration but more shear for cells)), speed range (0-300 RPM standard (general, cell culture), 0-500 RPM (high-speed), 0-1000 RPM (very high-speed, specialized), low-speed (0-100 RPM) for gentle applications), speed control (analog (dial, simple, durable) or digital (LED display of actual RPM, memory presets, soft-start/stop, timer, alarm), temperature control (shaker only (room temp - place in incubator/cold room if needed) or incubator-shaker (integrated heating/cooling for 4-60 degrees C - for cell culture, ELISA; more expensive, larger)), construction (platform material (stainless steel (durable, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean), aluminum (lightweight), plastic (lightweight, low cost)), housing (metal (durable) or plastic (lightweight, low cost)), spill-resistant design (gaskets, raised edges - protects electronics from spills), accessories (non-slip mat, flask clamps (various sizes), microplate holders, tube rack holders, humidity dome (for microplates - prevents evaporation), sticky pads, tape), safety (overload protection, soft-start, timer with auto-shutoff, audible alarm, emergency stop), certifications (CE, cULus, FCC), cold-room/incubator compatibility (rated for 4-40 degrees C ambient - important for cell culture (37 degrees C incubator) or cold room (4 degrees C) use; not all shakers are rated for extreme temperatures/humidity - verify), explosion-proof (for flammable solvent environments - rare, specialized), language and accessories. Additional platform accessories can be ordered separately.

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

A: Standard delivery includes circular shaker, non-slip mat, power cord, and instruction manual. On-site installation is not required (plug-and-play - place on bench, secure samples, set speed, start). On-site training not included (operation intuitive). Remote guidance provided.

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

A: The circular shaker agitates various samples in vessels including cell/microbial cultures (bacterial cultures (E. coli, etc.) in Erlenmeyer flasks (125 mL to 2 L) - 200-300 RPM, 37 degrees C (in incubator-shaker or incubator); yeast cultures (Saccharomyces, Pichia) - 200-300 RPM, 30 degrees C; insect cell suspension (Sf9, Sf21, High Five) - 100-150 RPM, 27-28 degrees C (no CO2 needed); mammalian cell suspension (CHO, HEK293 suspension) - 80-150 RPM, 37 degrees C, 5% CO2 (requires CO2 incubator-shaker or humidified CO2 incubator with shaker inside; note: standard circular shaker in CO2 incubator may work if rated for high humidity), molecular biology assays (Western blot antibody incubation (membranes in trays/containers - 20-50 RPM, room temp or 4 degrees C; gentle orbital prevents background), ELISA (96-well plates - 100-300 RPM, 37 degrees C or room temp; shaking improves reagent distribution and binding), staining/destaining (Coomassie, silver, Ponceau - gels in trays, 20-50 RPM; even stain coverage), immunoprecipitation (tubes with antibody-beads-lysate - 10-30 RPM (gentle, keeps beads suspended; some prefer rotator, but orbital works), hybridization (blots in hybridization tubes/bags - 30-60 RPM at 42-65 degrees C (if in incubator/hybridization oven)), biochemistry/analytical (enzyme assays (cuvettes/tubes/plates - controlled temperature + shaking for enzyme kinetics), dissolution testing (tablets/capsules in vessels - 50-150 RPM, 37 degrees C (standard dissolution apparatus is different, but orbital shaker can be used for simple dissolution), extractions (liquid-liquid extraction in separatory funnels/flasks - 100-200 RPM for phase equilibration; solid-phase extraction (SPE) - mixing sample with sorbent), reagent mixing/preparation (buffers, standards, reagents - 100-300 RPM), clinical/food/environmental (sample mixing (urine, serum, food homogenates, soil extracts), microbial enrichment (food/water samples in broth - 150-250 RPM, 35-37 degrees C for bacterial growth), serology/immunology (antigen-antibody reactions, latex agglutination - gentle mixing), industrial/QC (paint/coating small sample mixing, chemical reactions, product testing, quality control assays), and general laboratory solutions requiring orbital agitation in flasks, beakers, bottles, microplates, tubes, or trays. NOT suitable for: Highly viscous materials (greases, pastes, dense slurries - orbital shaker cannot effectively mix high viscosity; use overhead mechanical stirrer or homogenizer), very large volumes (>2-5 L per flask or total platform load beyond capacity - use floor-standing shaker or fermentor/bioreactor), cell cultures requiring CO2 (unless shaker is in CO2 incubator or is CO2 incubator-shaker; standard shaker in ambient air does not provide CO2 - mammalian cells need 5% CO2 for bicarbonate-buffered media), anaerobic/hypoxic cultures (standard shaker is open to air - use anaerobic chamber or specialized shaker; orbital shaking actually increases aeration (good for aerobic cultures, bad for anaerobic)), live adherent cells in flasks (orbital shaking can detach adherent cells - use static incubator for adherent cells; suspension cells only), very small volumes (<100 microliters in microplates (evaporation risk - use humidity dome or sealed plates; orbital shaking may cause edge effects), and flammable/volatile solvents (unless in fume hood or with explosion-proof shaker - motor spark risk). IMPORTANT: Circular (orbital) shaker fundamentals: (1) How it works: A motor drives an eccentric mechanism that moves the platform in a circular/orbital path (all points on platform move in circles of the same diameter (orbit diameter)). Unlike a rocking shaker (see-saw tilt), orbital shaker moves the entire platform horizontally in circles. This creates a swirling motion in liquid vessels (centripetal force moves liquid to edges, creating a vortex and mixing). (2) Orbit diameter: The diameter of the circular path (typically 10-50 mm). Larger orbit = more vigorous mixing, more aeration (good for cell culture in large flasks), but more shear (can damage delicate cells). Smaller orbit = gentler mixing, better for microplates and small volumes. Cell culture typically uses 25-50 mm orbit. Microplate shakers often use 1-3 mm orbit (very small, high frequency). (3) Speed (RPM): Revolutions per minute of the orbital path. Typical ranges: 0-300 RPM (general), up to 500-1000 RPM (high-speed). For cell culture: bacteria 200-300 RPM, yeast 200-300, insect cells 100-150, mammalian suspension 80-150. For blots/antibodies: 20-50 RPM (gentle). For ELISA: 100-300 RPM. (4) Aeration: Orbital shaking of cell cultures in flasks increases oxygen transfer (agitation creates surface area for gas exchange). For aerobic cultures (bacteria, yeast, insect cells), this is essential. Flask fill volume should be 20-30% of nominal volume (e.g., 50-75 mL in 250 mL flask) for good aeration - overfilled flasks have poor oxygen transfer. Use loose caps or breathable plugs for gas exchange. (5) Platform balance: Even weight distribution is critical. Unbalanced loads cause excessive vibration, noise, motor/bearing wear, and can make the shaker "walk" across the bench. Always balance samples (if odd number, use a blank vessel with water of equal weight). Distribute weight symmetrically around platform center. (6) Incubator compatibility: If placing shaker inside an incubator (37 degrees C, high humidity for cell culture) or cold room (4 degrees C), verify the shaker is rated for that environment. Standard shakers may have electronics that fail at high temperature/humidity (condensation can short circuits). Incubator-safe shakers have sealed electronics and moisture-resistant components. (7) Spill protection: Liquids can spill from flasks (especially if overfilled or too high speed). Use capped/sealed vessels, secure with clamps, and use spill-resistant shaker design (raised edges, sealed housing). Clean spills immediately (buffer/media can corrode platform/electronics and contaminate future experiments). (8) Common errors: - Overloading (too much weight or too large flasks - motor strain, imbalance). - Unbalanced load (vibration, walking, wear). - Wrong speed (too fast = spills, cell damage; too slow = inadequate mixing/aeration). - Overfilled flasks (poor aeration, spills). - Not securing vessels (flasks slide, break, spill - use clamps/tape/mat). - Using non-incubator-rated shaker in incubator/cold room (electronics failure). - Forgetting to turn off (runs unattended, motor wear, spills). - Not cleaning (residue buildup, contamination). (9) Circular shaker vs other mixers: - Orbital (circular) shaker: horizontal circular motion, good for flasks/cell culture, vigorous to moderate mixing, aeration. - Rocking shaker: see-saw tilting, gentler, good for blots, gels, staining, gentle mixing. - Rotating/end-over-end rotator: tube rotation, very gentle, good for blood, antibodies, immunoprecipitation, cells. - Magnetic stirrer: stir bar inside vessel, good for beakers/flasks, high torque, but not for multiple vessels simultaneously. - Vortex mixer: vigorous, high-shear, for quick resuspension in tubes, not for large volumes or delicate samples. - Platform shaker (reciprocating): back-and-forth linear motion, similar to orbital but different pattern.