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2012 Guide to Buying a Shaker

Lab shakers are available in two different mixing actions: orbital and reciprocal and are primarily used for culturing organisms in shake flasks or test tubes, and can also be used for mixing liquids.

by Other Author

Lab shakers are available in two different mixing actions: orbital and reciprocal and are primarily used for culturing organisms in shake flasks or test tubes, and can also be used for mixing liquids. Shakers range from small to mid-size bench top models, larger-capacity console (floor standing) models, or space-saving stackable models.

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Shaker

  1. What is the capacity of the unit (both for total weight and volume)?
  2. What accessories are available?
  3. What is the RPM range and what increments can it be controlled in?
  4. What are the temperature and humidity operating conditions for the unit?
  5. What programming functions, if any, does the unit have?

Choosing a shaker comes down to such features as heating/cooling capability, capacity, shaking speed, orbital vs. reciprocating motion, ease of use, programmability, heating capability, and footprint. With research budgets tight and lab space even tighter, groups or departments are increasingly sharing shakers.


Different types of lab shakers respondents are using or planning to purchase for their lab, based on our latest survey data:

  Currently Using Planning to Purchase
Rocking shaker 93% 7%
Vortex shaker 92% 8%
Vibrating shaker 88% 12%
Orbital shaker 88% 12%
Biological shaker 87% 13%
Incubator shaker 87% 13%
Reciprocal shaker 86% 14%
Nutating shaker 82% 18%

Components respondents are using with their lab shaker:

Microtube adaptor 22%
Plate adaptor 19%
Flask attachments 18%
Holding clamps 36%

Top 10 factors and features our readers look for when buying a lab shaker:

  Important
Durability/rugged design 92%
Simple operation – easy to program and monitor 89%
Low maintenance/easy to clean 87%
Shaking speed 86%
Compact design 71%
Low noise—quiet 66%
Electronic speed controls 65%
Warranty 63%
Heating/cooling capability 59%
Orbital vs. reciprocating motion 51%

Recently Released Shakers

Xplorer plus®
• Series includes the VSN-5 Nutating Mixer, the VSM-3 Vortex Mixer, the VSR-50 Variable Speed Rocker, the VSOS-4P Orbital Shaker and HPS-7 Hot Plate Stirrers
• Features a variety of available accessories for an array of applications
• Can be integrated into current lab procedures with ease
• Simplifies everyday lab processes such as mixing, blending and resuspending

PRO Scientific
www.proscientific.com


SS-10
• Provides fast, accurate separations of materials 2mm and finer
• Touchscreen programmable controller allows selection of vibration level, time, and pauses
• Allows storage of 99 testing profiles in non-volatile memory
• For 8in and 200mm sieves

Gilson Company
www.globalgilson.com

 

 


AS 450 basic
• Sieves large quantities up to 15 kg
• Accepts sieve diameters up to 450 mm and covers a measuring range from 25 μm to 125 mm
• Allows time and amplitude to be digitally set
• Offers efficient electromagnetic drive with 3D movement

Retsch
www.retsch-us.com

 


Sieve Shakers
• Rapid vertical movement imparted by the shaker continuously helps clear apertures
• Several models are fitted with a high degree of control over the shaker functions—useful with many materials in establishing a rapid end point
• Include a unique clamping device enabling the clamp plate to be fitted in seconds

Endecotts USA
www.endecotts.com

 

Shaker Manufacturers

Bel-Art Products www.belart.com
Boekel Scientific www.boekelsci.com
Eberbach www.eberbachlabtools.com
Endecotts USA www.endecotts.com
Eppendorf www.eppendorfna.com
Gilson www.globalgilson.com
Grant Instruments www.grantsci.com
Heidolph USA www.heidolphUSA.com
IKA Works www.ika.net
Jeio Tech www.jeiotech.com
Kinematica www.kinematica-inc.com
Labnet International www.labnetlink.com
Labnics Equipment www.labnics.com
LabStrong www.labstrong.com
New Brunswick Scientific www.nbsc.com
Pro Scientific www.proscientific.com
Retsch www.retsch-us.com
Sartorius Stedim www.sartorius-stedim.com
Scientific Industries www.scientificindustries.com
Stovall Life Science www.slscience.com
Thermo Fisher Scientific www.thermo.com
Troemner www.troemner.com
UDY Corporation www.udyone.com
Yamato Scientific America www.yamato-usa.com