Overview
An orbital shaker is a critical piece of laboratory equipment designed to agitate samples in flasks, tubes, or microplates. It operates by moving in a circular, orbital motion to ensure gentle yet effective mixing without creating bubbles or foam. Commonly used in cell culture, microbiology, and biochemistry labs, orbital shakers are favored for their ability to maintain consistent conditions for sample incubation and mixing. These devices come in various sizes and configurations, from compact benchtop models to large floor-standing units. They are widely used in research, pharmaceutical development, and industrial applications where precise agitation is required.
Structure and Working Principle
An orbital shaker consists of a motor-driven platform that moves in a circular orbit at adjustable speeds. The platform holds flasks, beakers, or plates securely with clamps or rubber mats to prevent slippage. The motor is typically housed in a sturdy metal or plastic casing, with controls for speed and timer settings. The working principle involves converting the motor's rotary motion into a smooth orbital movement, ensuring even distribution of force across the platform. This motion minimizes shear stress, making it ideal for delicate applications like cell culture. Advanced models may include features such as temperature control or humidity chambers for specialized uses.
Key Features
Modern orbital shakers offer a range of features to enhance usability and performance. Speed adjustability is a standard feature, allowing users to set rotations per minute (RPM) for different applications. Many models include digital displays for precise control and monitoring. Additional features may include programmable timers, memory functions, and overload protection. Low-noise operation is crucial for labs where multiple shakers are used simultaneously. Some high-end models incorporate refrigeration or heating elements for temperature-sensitive experiments.
Application Areas
Orbital shakers are indispensable in biological and chemical laboratories. In cell culture, they ensure even nutrient distribution and gas exchange in flasks. Microbiology labs use them for mixing bacterial cultures or growing biofilms. Other applications include solubility studies, staining procedures, and hybridization assays. Industrial uses extend to quality control testing in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their versatility makes them a staple in both academic and commercial research settings.
Maintenance and Precautions
Regular maintenance ensures the longevity and performance of an orbital shaker. Cleaning the platform and housing with a mild disinfectant prevents contamination. Periodically check the motor and moving parts for wear and tear. Precautions include avoiding overloading the platform, as uneven weight distribution can damage the motor. Ensure proper ventilation around the unit to prevent overheating. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for calibration and servicing intervals to maintain accuracy.
B2B Procurement Guide
When purchasing orbital shakers in bulk for B2B purposes, consider factors like capacity, speed range, and additional features (e.g., refrigeration). Assess the reputation of suppliers and warranties offered. Compare prices across vendors, but prioritize reliability and after-sales support. For specialized applications, custom configurations may be available. Request demos or trials to evaluate performance before large-scale procurement.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：台式鼓风干燥箱、立式鼓风干燥箱、高温鼓风干燥箱、恒温振荡器、电热恒温培养箱、生化培养箱、恒温恒湿培养箱、二氧化碳培养箱、台式真空干燥箱、立式真空干燥箱、全自动真空干燥箱、高真空全自动真空干燥箱、超高真空干燥箱、台式恒温摇床、叠加式恒温摇床、卧式恒温摇床、立式恒温摇床、低温恒温水槽、恒温水浴锅、水浴恒温摇床、马弗炉、箱式电阻炉、药品稳定性试验箱、高低温试验箱
- 主营：恒温箱、锂电池、新能源电池、翻转式摇床振荡器、实验室光照培养箱、立式振荡培养箱、光照培养箱、恒速水平振荡器、电池恒温保存箱、恒温电池试验箱、恒温控速低速离心机、实验室低速离心机、台式低速离心机、304不锈钢电热板、立式低温水槽、土壤烘干装置、数显恒温油浴摇床、智能数显控温板、高温石墨电热板、工业低速离心机、25度恒温箱、高强度组织捣碎仪器、智能人工气候箱、植物生长箱、样品加热板
- 主营：恒温恒湿培养箱、真空干燥箱、鼓风干燥箱、高低温试验箱
- 主营：气体报警仪、气体检测仪、气体测试仪
- 主营：培养振荡器、恒温振荡器、振荡培养箱、大容量振荡器、振荡摇床培养箱、恒温摇床、双层摇床、摇床制冷液晶屏
- 主营：低温恒温槽、实验室离心机、冷冻离心机、摇床振荡器、培养箱、喷雾干燥机、氮吹仪、一体化蒸馏仪、干燥箱、分子蒸馏仪、试验箱
- 主营：滚轴混匀仪、滚瓶机、滚轴混合器、涂料熟化设备、实验室设备、磁力搅拌器、加热磁力搅拌器、恒温金属浴、恒温加热仪、熔点仪、摇床、混匀器、熟化机、混合器、熔点测定仪、加热台、实验室仪器、金属浴、干浴器、旋转混匀仪、消解仪、恒温消解器、磁力搅拌机
- 主营：记录仪、天平、超纯水机、培养箱、冻干机、烘箱、层析柜、金属浴、电泳仪、混匀震荡器、冷水机、氮吹仪、离心机、灭菌器、磁力搅拌器、水热合成反应釜、玛瑙研钵、显微镜、显微镜配件、微电脑全自动超纯水机、实验室超纯水、大气压力记录仪、大气压力数据记录仪、水位记录仪、环境记录仪
- 主营：移液器、液氮罐、蠕动泵、培养箱、微孔板振荡器、振荡培养箱、离心机、干燥箱、真空泵、灭菌器、加热板、脱色摇床、电子天平、电泳仪、旋涡混合器、磁力搅拌器、酸度计、瓶口分液器、紫外分析仪、超声波清洗器、金属浴、恒温摇床、吸头、硅胶管
- 主营：集菌仪、测试箱、干燥箱、培养箱、培养设备、培养装置、垂直振荡器、蒸馏器、浓缩仪、蒸馏装置、分液漏斗、真空手套箱、氮气吹扫仪、高氧细胞箱、薄膜蒸发器、小鼠饲养箱、厌氧手套箱、残留测定仪、植物生长室、厌氧工作站、昆虫饲养箱、喷雾干燥机、硫化物吹气仪、台式低温摇床、氮气浓缩装置
- 主营：干燥箱、马弗炉、试验箱、培养箱、振荡器、水浴水槽、加热板
- 主营：恒温恒湿试验箱、冷热冲击试验箱、快速温变试验箱、恒温振荡器、盐雾腐蚀试验箱、高低温环境试验箱、电磁式振动台、模拟运输振动台、万能材料试验机、高低温冲击试验箱、可程式高低温试验箱、单翼跌落试验机、精密高温试验箱、IPX56淋雨试验箱、高温老化试验箱、高低温低气压试验箱、UV紫外线老化试验箱、温湿度试验箱、高低温湿热交变试验箱、高低温交替试验箱、高低温试验箱、小型高低温试验箱、高低温试验机、振动试验台、振动试验机、高低温恒温箱
- 主营：指示剂、四环灭菌生物指示剂、辐照灭菌生物指示剂、生物指示剂培养器、灭菌监测培养器、灭菌指示剂培养器、生物指示剂培养箱、蒸汽灭菌生物指示剂、灭菌验证用生物指示剂、安瓿瓶生物指示剂、湿热灭菌生物指示剂、一控生物指示剂、白象生物指示剂、生物指示剂、福泽爱斯牌生物指示剂、芽孢悬液生物指示剂、枯草芽孢生物指示剂、含式灭菌生物指示剂、悬液式生物指示剂、生物指示剂恒温箱、灭菌指示恒温箱、生物指示剂培育箱
- 主营：台式orp、噪声计、探测器、恒温培养摇床、红外线、检测仪、声级仪、测色仪、ysi水质、采样仪、盐度仪、ph滴定仪、手持式ph、便携式ph、ph测量仪、三目反射、ysi电导率、溶解氧仪、cod测定仪、ysi酸度计、高压蒸汽、二氧化硅、cod消解仪、bod测定仪、电子天平、电阻率仪
- 主营：氮气发生器、氮吹仪、冷冻干燥机、种子培养箱、高温喷雾干燥机、赶酸器、恒温摇床、恒温解冻仪、智能集菌仪、固相萃取仪、水浴融浆机、干式氮吹仪、汞灯反应器、全封闭氮吹仪、圆形水浴氮吹仪
- 主营：风速计、测量仪、分析仪、SPX250BZS振荡培养箱、噪声仪、测定仪、传感器、cod氨氮、体温仪、照度仪、溴离子、消解仪、体温枪、酸度计、探测器、红外线、测尘仪、干燥箱、检测仪、采样器、显微镜、测色仪、电导仪、水质仪、voc气体、报警器