Benchtop Incubator Shaker

What is the Benchtop Incubator Shaker?

A benchtop incubator shaker fits an agitated heated chamber into a compact unit for small culture volumes. It is chosen when bench space is limited and flask counts are modest but temperature control is required.

Overview

The benchtop incubator shaker combines a 20 to 100 liter heated chamber with an orbital platform of 300 to 500 mm, holding up to about twelve 250 mL flasks. Temperatures run ambient plus 5 to 60 C, and speeds reach 30 to 300 rpm with a 20 to 25 mm orbit. A PID controller holds temperature and closed-loop control maintains rpm under load, with a timer and door interlock. Platforms accept universal clamps, tube racks or microplate holders. Power is modest, usually 400 to 900 W. It suits small-scale culture, cloning, enzyme reactions and teaching where throughput is low and temperature control is needed in a small footprint.

How does it work?

An incubator shaker places an orbital drive inside an insulated, temperature-controlled chamber. The motor turns an eccentric bearing that moves the platform in a circle, with orbit diameters of 19 to 50 mm and speeds of 20 to 400 rpm, set and held by closed-loop control. The chamber is heated by elements and, in refrigerated models, cooled by a compressor, both managed by a PID controller, while air circulation keeps temperature uniform around the vessels. Platforms accept flask clamps, tube racks or trays, and the load must be balanced so the drive does not vibrate. Door interlocks stop the platform when opened, and timers or programmed profiles run the cycle. Some models add CO2 control, humidity or HEPA filtration for cell work.

What are the key features?

• Heated chamber of 20 to 100 liters
• Orbital platform of 300 to 500 mm
• Speed 30 to 300 rpm with 20 to 25 mm orbit
• PID temperature control and closed-loop speed
• Universal clamps, tube racks or plate holders
• Door interlock stopping the platform

What are the technical specifications?

A typical benchtop incubator shaker configuration offers chamber volume of 20–100 L, temperature range of RT+5 to 60 C, temperature uniformity of ±0.5–1 C, speed range of 30–300 rpm, orbit diameter of 20–25 mm and platform size of 300×300 to 500×500 mm. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Benchtop Incubator Shaker is used in small-scale bacterial culture, cloning and plasmid propagation, enzyme reaction incubation and teaching laboratory experiments. Across the wider Incubator Shakers class, laboratories also deploy it for bacterial and yeast liquid culture, protein and plasmid expression and fermentation and bioprocess development.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1, IEC 61010-2-051, IEC 61010-2-010, DIN 12880 and ISO 9001. Certification candidates for this model are CE, ISO 9001 manufacturing and RoHS; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Balance the platform by loading flasks symmetrically, since an unbalanced load causes vibration, noise and bearing wear. Do not exceed the load rating at the chosen speed, and keep clamps tight. Place the unit on a level, stable surface with clearance for ventilation and door swing, away from heat sources, and confirm the room can handle the heat rejected by a refrigerated model. Clean spills promptly, because medium corrodes the chamber and clamps. Check belts, bearings and clamps on schedule, and verify temperature with a reference probe, pausing shaking for the check. Log rpm and temperature for regulated culture work.

How do I select the right Benchtop Incubator Shaker?

Select the benchtop incubator shaker for small volumes where bench space is limited. Floor-standing or refrigerated models handle larger batches and below-ambient work. In the RFQ, specify flask count and sizes, speed and orbit, temperature range, clamps and load rating.

How does it compare with other Incubator Shakers variants?

Choose an incubator shaker when a culture needs both temperature control and agitation, since a static incubator plus a separate shaker cannot match the uniformity or convenience. Set the temperature range first and choose a refrigerated model if the setpoint is at or below ambient. Match orbit and speed to the organism, often 200 to 300 rpm with a 25 mm orbit for bacteria, and lower speeds for mammalian suspension cells. Size the chamber and platform for vessel count and the largest flask, and check the load rating at the working speed. Decide between benchtop, floor-standing or stackable for capacity, and confirm clamps, door interlock, alarms and data logging.