CZGY CHA-S Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker

Overview

The CZGY CHA-S Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker is an engineered platform for controlled, uniform agitation and thermal regulation of biological samples in life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of orbital shaking—where the platform rotates in a horizontal circular motion—ensuring gentle yet effective mixing without vortexing or splashing. Unlike water-bath shakers, the air-bath design eliminates fluid contamination risks and simplifies maintenance, while delivering rapid, stable temperature equilibration across the chamber via forced-air convection and PID-controlled resistive heating. The unit maintains setpoint temperatures from ambient up to 50 °C with ±0.5 °C accuracy—sufficient for routine microbial growth, enzyme kinetics, cell suspension culture, and reagent equilibration protocols where precise thermal consistency is required but ultra-low or sub-ambient control is not necessary.

Key Features

• Orbital motion with continuously adjustable speed (0–300 rpm) via analog or digital interface—enabling reproducible shear profiles across experimental replicates.
• Digital LED display for real-time monitoring of both set and actual temperature and rotational speed—supporting traceable parameter verification during operation.
• Single-tier stainless-steel platform with universal spring-loaded clamps, accommodating heterogeneous vessel configurations including test tubes (Ø16 × 300 mm), 100 mL flasks (24 units), and 200 mL flasks (15 units) simultaneously.
• Mechanical timer with 0–120 minute range and “continuous run” mode—designed for unattended operation within standard incubation timeframes common in microbiology and molecular biology workflows.
• Integrated air circulation system with dedicated oxygen replenishment ports—enhancing aerobic viability during extended culturing of oxygen-sensitive organisms.
• Robust aluminum-alloy housing with insulated air chamber and overheat protection circuitry—meeting basic electrical safety standards for Class I laboratory equipment (IEC 61010-1).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CHA-S supports a broad range of standard labware used in upstream bioprocessing and academic research, including glass and polypropylene tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, and multi-well plates mounted on custom adapters. Its open-chamber architecture allows easy visual inspection and manual intervention without interrupting thermal or mechanical stability. While not certified for GMP manufacturing environments, the instrument conforms to general laboratory good practice (GLP) requirements for equipment qualification: it provides stable, documented operating parameters suitable for IQ/OQ documentation when integrated into validated workflows. Temperature uniformity across the platform surface has been verified per ASTM E145-22 Annex A4 (Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens), and timing repeatability meets ISO/IEC 17025:2017 criteria for measurement uncertainty in time-based assays.

Software & Data Management

The base CHA-S model operates via front-panel controls with no embedded software or data logging capability. However, its analog output signals (optional upon request) can be interfaced with external data acquisition systems for time-stamped temperature and RPM recording. For labs requiring audit trails compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, third-party USB or RS-232 data loggers may be deployed to capture operational metadata—including start/stop timestamps, duration, average speed, and thermal deviation history—for inclusion in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) or LIMS databases. Firmware upgrades are not applicable; all calibration and performance verification procedures follow manufacturer-recommended physical standards using NIST-traceable thermometers and tachometers.

Applications

• Microbial cultivation (e.g., E. coli, yeast, and fungal strains) under defined aeration and thermal conditions.
• Suspension culture of mammalian and insect cells in low-shear environments prior to transfection or passaging.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) via broth microdilution, where consistent agitation prevents sedimentation of antimicrobial agents.
• Enzyme activity assays requiring simultaneous thermal stabilization and homogeneous substrate mixing.
• DNA/RNA extraction buffer equilibration and lysis step optimization in high-throughput nucleic acid workflows.
• Environmental sample processing—including soil eluent homogenization and waterborne pathogen enrichment—in compliance with EPA Method 1603 and ISO 9308-1.

FAQ

What is the maximum load capacity of the platform?
The single platform supports up to 15 × 200 mL flasks or 24 × 100 mL flasks with balanced distribution. Total mass should not exceed 8 kg to maintain mechanical stability at 300 rpm.
Can the CHA-S operate at temperatures below ambient?
No—it is a heating-only system with a minimum setpoint at ambient temperature. For refrigerated shaking, a dedicated refrigerated incubator shaker is required.
Is the unit compatible with CO₂-enriched environments?
Not natively. The chamber lacks gas-tight sealing or inlet/outlet ports for CO₂ supplementation. Modifications are not recommended due to safety and calibration integrity concerns.
How often does the unit require calibration verification?
Annual verification of temperature accuracy (using a calibrated probe) and rotational speed (with a non-contact tachometer) is recommended per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines for in-house equipment.
Does the CHA-S meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards for shared lab spaces?
Yes—it complies with CISPR 11 Group 1, Class B emission limits, ensuring minimal interference with adjacent analytical instruments such as spectrophotometers and pipetting robots.