It has a round shaking motion with a gradual speed (25-500 rpm). It is worthy for general mixing, culturing microbes, and washing blots. Some of its features are that it does not develop vibrations, and it generates low heat in comparison to other types of shakers, which makes it perfect for culturing microbes. Moreover, it will be altered by fixing it in an incubator to develop an incubator shaker due to its vibrations and low temperature.
Best Practices for Using Orbital Shaker
At Kumar Instruments, Utilizing your orbital shaker accurately will make certain you get better results for your application. What’s more, taking care of the machine will support keep it running accurately and extend its lifespan. In this article, best practices are-
Using an Orbital Shaker
Whether you’re an initial-time user or have little experience with shakers, here are some of the basic things to think about during use and setup.
Make certain the Shaker is Properly Supported
When in utilization, orbital shakers do vibrate significantly. Utilization on an uneven surface might cause harm, especially for heavier machines. You can utilize a level and adjust the feet to certain that the shaker is seated evenly.
Consider Location Carefully
Squeeze a benchtop or floor model shaker into a solid spot is not a great plan, as you require sufficient space for certain good ventilation. You also don’t need to place it where it will be displayed to direct sunshine light as this can influence temperature controls. This is especially wrong for a refrigerated model. Also do consider other machines in the locality that might be giving off heat.
Even the Load
Similar to utilize on an uneven surface, an uneven load might cause the shaker to vibrate. The added vibration does make for an increased stirring of the contents which may negatively impact the outcome of the application. An uneven load might do cause irregular shaking and unsymmetrical wear to the machine. You don’t need to balance a shaker like you might a centrifuge, but keeping the weight distribution in the brain is always a great plan.
Build Up the Speed Slowly
Even if you identify the exact stirring speed you need to utilize, it’s wise to kick off slow and build up. Fastly increasing the speed does result in liquids spill or overflow instead of attaining the wanted swirling motion. This is especially significant if dealing with breakable cells, in particular, those without a cell wall. Some models come with an easy acceleration element which does the job of scale-up up the speed slowly for you.
Keep the Volume Low
While few applications permit for a bigger fill volume, in general, a low fill level (around 25-10% of flask volume) permits optimal mixing. A low filling volume signifies maximizing the amount of aeration and a greater relative surface area. Plus, a lower volume denotes you lessen the risk of spillage.
Don’t Overload the Machine
Overloading your Scientific Instruments like shakers might cause damage in the short term or over time. Manufacturer specifications will let you know the maximum capacity or weight limit for the machine. This involves the weight of the platforms, samples, and clamps, as well as the screws. Some shakers come with an overload protection shut-off, but this must be considered more of a ‘just-in-case feature. You must not depend on overload protection shut-off to tell you that you are placing too much weight on your shaker.