Benchtop Shaking Incubator

What is the Benchtop Shaking Incubator?

A benchtop shaking incubator fits an orbital platform and heated chamber into a compact unit for small culture volumes. It is chosen when bench space is limited and flask counts are modest.

Overview

The benchtop shaking incubator 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 from 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. Platforms accept universal clamps, tube racks or microplate holders. Door interlocks stop the platform when opened. Power is modest, usually 400 to 900 W, and the unit sits on a bench without a compressor. It suits small-scale culture, cloning, enzyme reactions and teaching where throughput is low.

How does it work?

A shaking incubator places an orbital drive inside an insulated, heated chamber. A brushless motor turns an eccentric bearing that moves the platform in a circular path, with orbit diameters of 19 to 50 mm and speeds of 20 to 400 rpm. The chamber is heated by elements and, in refrigerated models, cooled by a compressor, all held by a PID controller. Air circulates naturally or with a fan to keep temperature uniform around the flasks. Platforms accept clamps, racks and trays for flasks, tubes or plates, and loads must be balanced so the drive does not vibrate. Closed-loop speed control holds rpm against load change, and timers or programmed profiles run the cycle. Door interlocks stop the platform when opened, protecting the operator from moving parts.

What are the key features?

• Heated chamber of 20 to 100 liters
• Orbital platform of 300 to 500 mm
• Speed range 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 shaking incubator 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 Shaking Incubator is used in small-scale bacterial culture, cloning and plasmid propagation, enzyme reaction incubation and teaching laboratory experiments. Across the wider Shaking Incubators 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. Site the unit on a level, stable surface with clearance for ventilation and door swing, away from heat sources. Clean spills promptly, because spilled medium corrodes the chamber and clamps. Check drive belts and bearings on schedule, and inspect clamps for wear. Verify temperature with a reference probe and consider stopping shaking during the check. Keep the chamber loaded to stabilize temperature, and log rpm and temperature for regulated culture work.

How do I select the right Benchtop Shaking Incubator?

Select the benchtop shaking incubator 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 Shaking Incubators variants?

Choose a shaking incubator when the culture needs both mixing and controlled temperature, which static incubators cannot provide. Set the temperature range first, choosing a cooling model if the setpoint is at or below ambient. Match orbit diameter and speed to the organism: bacteria often need 200 to 300 rpm with a 25 mm orbit, while gentle mammalian suspension culture uses lower speeds. Size the chamber and platform for the flask count and the largest vessel, and check the load rating at the chosen speed. Decide between benchtop and floor-standing for space and capacity, and confirm clamp types, door interlock, data logging and alarm functions.