Orbital Shakers: Lab Shakers for Incubators, Bench Tops
Orbital Shakers
Orbital shakers are a must have in any laboratory for mixing, shaking and incubating samples. They are used in many applications such as cell culture, microbiology, molecular biology and protein chemistry. The orbital motion of these tools provides a gentle yet thorough mixing action, perfect for maintaining cell cultures or mixing reagents without foaming or splashing.
Orbital shakers come in various sizes and configurations to suit different lab settings. Some are designed for small benchtop spaces, while others are larger floor models for high capacity shaking. The orbit size of these lab shakers can also vary, with options for 19mm, 25mm and 50mm orbits to accommodate different sample volumes and types.
There are several types of lab shakers, each for specific applications. For example, the orbital type is for general mixing and cell culture, the rocking type is for applications that require a gentle rocking motion, and the microplate type is for powerful shaking of microplates. Choosing the right type of shaker will enhance experimental outcomes and process efficiency. Incubator types combine shaking with temperature control and basic shaking control for culturing cells or enzyme reactions.
Some orbital shakers have fixed speed or tilt angle settings, while others have adjustable controls for different protocols. This allows users to choose between fixed parameters for routine tasks or customizable options for more specialized applications.
Overall, digital orbital shakers are versatile tools that play a crucial role in many laboratory activities. Whether you need solutions, grow cell cultures or run biochemical assays, there is a digital orbital shaker for you. With their reliability and ease of use, these are must have equipment for any laboratory.
What are Orbital Shakers
Orbital shakers are must have in professional laboratories, providing the agitation and mixing for many scientific industries applications. From culturing microbes to general mixing tasks, these lab shakers offer consistent and efficient motion for experimental success. This 5000 word overview will cover the features, applications and considerations of orbital shakers in lab settings, and why they are important in scientific research.
Orbital types perform a circular motion, creating a vortex that mixes solutions within flasks, beakers and other lab containers. These are designed to produce low heat output to preserve the integrity of samples, perfect for sensitive biological cultures. They come in various sizes and capacities, from compact benchtop shaker models for smaller labs to large, freestanding units for high volume workloads.
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Features of Orbital Shakers in the Lab
Digital Controls: Modern orbital shakers have digital interfaces that allow precise and basic shaking control over speed and frequency, so you can customize the shaking motion to your experiment. Digital orbital shakers often have timers and programmable parameters for more versatility and ease of use.
Capacity: The size of the shaker is a key consideration when choosing an orbital shaker. The platform can hold a single large vessel or multiple smaller containers, giving you flexibility for different types of experiments. To find the right orbital shaker for your lab applications, consider the platform size, speed range, tilt angle and any specific features required for tasks such as bacterial culture, blotting or washing.
Shaking and Speed: The circular motion helps to mix uniformly without creating a vortex that can disrupt the sample. Speed settings can vary widely, from gentle to vigorous shaking depending on the experiment.
Low Heat Emission: Heat emission must be minimal, especially when culturing temperature sensitive microbes or running biochemical reactions that are heat labile. For such purposes, a heating block can help maintain precise control with low heat emission.
Quiet Operation: Many orbital shakers are designed to be quiet, minimizing noise in the lab, which can be important in shared spaces or when running multiple experiments at the same time.
Choosing an Orbital Shaker for the Lab
When choosing an orbital shaker consider:
Some may also be available at discounted prices, which can be a consideration.
Maintenance and Care for an Orbital Shaker
Proper maintenance is key to the longevity and performance of an orbital shaker:
Cleaning: Keep it clean of spills and debris to prevent damage and malfunction.
Inspection and Calibration: Periodic checks and calibrations to ensure it operates within specifications and delivers consistent performance over time.
Servicing: Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for servicing to identify potential issues before they become failures.
Technology and Innovation
The orbital shaker technology has seen significant advancements in recent years and both performance and user experience have improved. Modern laboratory shakers now have digital controls for easy speed, agitation and temperature control. Programmable settings allow users to customize mixing protocols for various scientific applications from rocking for cell cultures to vigorous shaking for chemical reactions.
