IKA Hula Dancer basic Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA Hula Dancer basic is a compact, high-performance orbital shaker engineered for reliable and reproducible sample agitation in life science laboratories. Designed around a robust brushless DC motor and precision-machined mechanical drive system, it delivers consistent 2800 rpm circular motion with a 4.5 mm orbit diameter—optimized for efficient mixing of small-volume samples in tubes, microplates, and vials. Its fixed-speed architecture eliminates variability introduced by speed calibration drift or user input error, making it especially suitable for standardized protocols requiring strict repeatability across shifts or operators. Unlike variable-speed shakers, the Hula Dancer basic prioritizes mechanical stability and long-term operational integrity over programmability—ideal for QC labs, teaching facilities, and routine molecular biology workflows where simplicity, durability, and regulatory traceability are paramount.

Key Features

• Fixed 2800 rpm orbital motion ensures zero speed deviation during operation—critical for applications demanding strict kinetic consistency (e.g., enzyme reaction equilibration, immunoassay plate washing pre-incubation).
• 4.5 mm orbit diameter balances vigorous mixing efficiency with low shear stress, minimizing sample foaming or cell lysis in sensitive biological suspensions.
• IP42-rated enclosure provides protection against solid objects >1 mm and vertically falling water droplets—meeting standard laboratory environmental safety requirements per DIN EN 60529.
• Brushless DC motor architecture delivers 100% continuous duty cycle capability with no thermal derating, enabling unattended overnight operation without performance degradation.
• Touch-start (momentary activation) allows immediate initiation of shaking without presetting or menu navigation—reducing procedural steps in high-throughput benchwork.
• Compact footprint (123 × 42 × 123 mm) and lightweight design (0.7 kg) support flexible placement on biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, or crowded benchtops without compromising structural rigidity.
• Universal voltage compatibility (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz) ensures seamless deployment across global laboratory infrastructures without external transformers or regional variants.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Hula Dancer basic accommodates standard laboratory vessels including 0.2–50 mL conical tubes, 96-well microplates (with optional universal clamps), and PCR strip tubes. Its 0.1 kg maximum load capacity (including fixture weight) aligns with ISO 8573-1 purity class recommendations for non-pressurized mixing devices used in GMP-compliant bioprocessing environments. While the unit itself does not include integrated temperature control or data logging, its mechanical design conforms to essential electrical safety standards (IEC 61010-1) and electromagnetic compatibility (EN 61326-1). It is routinely deployed in GLP-regulated settings where equipment qualification focuses on mechanical consistency rather than software validation—eliminating the need for 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails in non-critical mixing steps.

Software & Data Management

The Hula Dancer basic operates as a standalone electromechanical device with no embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or connectivity options (USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth). This absence of digital control surfaces simplifies IQ/OQ documentation and reduces validation scope in regulated environments. All operational parameters—including speed, orbit geometry, and power delivery—are physically fixed at manufacture and verified via factory calibration certificates traceable to national metrology institutes. For laboratories requiring integration into electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) or LIMS, external sensors (e.g., optical tachometers or vibration accelerometers) may be employed to log runtime duration and mechanical status—though such monitoring falls outside the instrument’s native functionality.

Applications

• Routine resuspension of lyophilized reagents and bacterial pellets prior to centrifugation.
• Homogenization of immunoassay reagent stocks and ELISA plate coating solutions.
• Pre-incubation mixing for restriction digests, ligations, and PCR master mixes.
• Agitation of staining and blocking solutions in histology and Western blot workflows.
• Cell culture maintenance tasks including gentle suspension of adherent lines during passaging preparation.
• Quality control checks in pharmaceutical raw material handling where mechanical mixing uniformity must be demonstrated across batches.

FAQ

Does the Hula Dancer basic support programmable timing or speed adjustment?
No. It operates exclusively at a fixed 2800 rpm with no timer or speed control circuitry.
Can it be used inside a refrigerated incubator or cold room?
Yes—provided ambient temperature remains within the specified 5–40 °C range and relative humidity does not exceed 80 % RH.
Is the platform interchangeable or compatible with third-party clamps?
The unit features a standardized 30 mm threaded mounting post; IKA-supplied universal tube clamps and microplate holders are mechanically compatible, though non-IKA accessories require independent verification of torque retention and orbital synchronization.
What safety certifications does it carry?
It complies with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and EN 61326-1 (EMC for Laboratory Equipment), with full test reports available upon request from IKA Technical Support.
How is maintenance performed?
No scheduled maintenance is required. The brushless motor contains no consumable brushes; periodic visual inspection of the platform mounting and cleaning of dust from ventilation slots using dry compressed air is sufficient for sustained performance.