Refrigerated Shaking Incubator

What is the Refrigerated Shaking Incubator?

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

Overview

This shaking incubator 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 for regulated culture work.

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?

• 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 shaking incubator 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 Shaking Incubator is used in psychrophilic organism culture, cold-active enzyme studies, temperature-sensitive expression and culture in warm rooms or summer conditions. 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 Refrigerated Shaking Incubator?

Select the refrigerated shaking incubator 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 whether data logging is required.

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.