Refrigerated Incubator Shaker

What is the Refrigerated Incubator Shaker?

A refrigerated incubator shaker adds compressor cooling so it can hold setpoints at or below room temperature while shaking. It is chosen for psychrophilic organisms and warm laboratories that need reliable low temperatures while shaking.

Overview

This incubator shaker includes a compressor refrigeration circuit plus heating, so the temperature range extends from about 0 or 4 C to 60 C. Cooling is essential for psychrophilic organisms, cold-active enzyme work and any setpoint below ambient, and it also protects experiments in warm rooms where a heating-only unit would overshoot. Defrost cycles and door heaters limit ice and condensation. Speeds run 20 to 300 rpm with orbits of 25 mm, load ratings reach 20 to 30 kg, and forced air keeps uniformity within plus or minus 0.5 to 1 C. Compressors reject heat into the room, so ventilation is important. Controls are digital or programmable with alarms and data logging.

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?

• Compressor cooling with heating from 0 to 60 C
• Suitable for psychrophiles and cold-active work
• Defrost cycle and door heaters
• Speed 20 to 300 rpm with 25 mm orbit
• Load rating of 20 to 30 kg
• Digital or programmable control with data logging

What are the technical specifications?

A typical refrigerated incubator shaker configuration offers chamber volume of 100–400 L, temperature range of 4–60 C, temperature uniformity of ±0.5–1 C, speed range of 20–300 rpm, orbit diameter of 25 mm and cooling system of Compressor. 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 Refrigerated Incubator Shaker is used in psychrophilic organism culture, cold-active enzyme studies, temperature-sensitive expression and culture in warm rooms or summer conditions. 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 Refrigerated Incubator Shaker?

Select the refrigerated incubator shaker whenever the setpoint is at or below ambient, or the room is warm and temperature control is critical. Heating-only units are cheaper for above-ambient work. In the RFQ, specify lowest temperature, cooling capacity, speed and orbit, load rating and data logging needs.

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.