DRETOP SSK-4030RH Low-Temperature Water Bath Shaker

Overview

The DRETOP SSK-4030RH Low-Temperature Water Bath Shaker is an integrated laboratory instrument engineered for precise temperature-controlled orbital agitation of liquid and semi-solid biological samples. It combines a thermostatically regulated water bath with a high-stability mechanical shaker platform—operating on the principle of orbital motion—to deliver uniform thermal distribution and consistent mechanical stimulation across all sample vessels. Unlike air-jacketed incubator shakers, this water bath design ensures superior temperature homogeneity (±0.5 °C at 25 °C), minimal thermal lag, and rapid equilibration—critical for sensitive applications such as microbial growth kinetics, enzyme activity assays, solubility studies, and low-temperature cell culture maintenance. Its extended 0–100 °C operating range supports both cryogenic incubation (e.g., 4–10 °C for cold-adapted strains) and high-temperature sterilization validation protocols, making it suitable for GLP-compliant bioprocess development and QC laboratories requiring traceable thermal control.

Key Features

• High-precision PID temperature control using Pt100 resistance thermometer sensor, delivering ±0.1 °C accuracy and stable setpoint maintenance over extended durations.
• Orbital oscillation mode with continuously adjustable speed (0–220 rpm) and fixed 26 mm amplitude, ensuring reproducible shear profiles across flask volumes from 15 mL test tubes to 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks.
• Intelligent LED display interface showing real-time temperature, speed, and remaining timer—supporting parameter lock, offset calibration, and user-defined PID tuning for process optimization.
• Durable 304 stainless steel water bath chamber and lid, corrosion-resistant and autoclavable-compatible; electrostatically coated steel housing for long-term structural integrity and cleanroom compatibility.
• Brushless DC motor drive system offering maintenance-free operation, low acoustic emission (20,000-hour service life under continuous duty cycles.
• Comprehensive safety architecture including over-temperature audiovisual alarm, heater dry-run protection, sensor fault detection, and automatic shutdown upon abnormal current draw or thermal runaway.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SSK-4030RH accommodates standard laboratory glassware via its universal spring clamp tray (400 × 300 mm), supporting simultaneous loading of up to twelve 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks or mixed configurations of centrifuge tubes, culture bottles, and microtiter plates (with optional adapter kits). Its water bath geometry minimizes evaporation loss during prolonged runs and enables immersion-based heat transfer essential for thermosensitive protein formulations. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory electrical equipment safety and meets electromagnetic compatibility requirements per EN 61326-1. While not certified for medical device manufacturing, its temperature logging capability, parameter retention after power interruption, and stable thermal performance align with foundational expectations of ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing labs and USP analytical instrument qualification frameworks.

Software & Data Management

The SSK-4030RH operates as a standalone instrument with embedded firmware—no external PC connection required for routine use. All operational parameters are stored in non-volatile memory, preserving user settings—including timer presets, temperature offsets, and PID coefficients—through power cycling. Though it does not feature USB or Ethernet connectivity, its analog output option (available upon request) allows integration into centralized building management systems (BMS) or SCADA networks for remote status monitoring. For audit-trail compliance in regulated environments, users may pair the unit with external calibrated data loggers (e.g., compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used with validated software) to record time-stamped temperature and speed profiles throughout each run.

Applications

• Microbial cultivation under controlled hypothermic conditions (e.g., psychrophilic bacteria at 4–15 °C).
• Enzymatic reaction kinetics requiring constant agitation and narrow thermal windows (e.g., lipase hydrolysis at 37 °C ± 0.2 °C).
• Solubility and dissolution testing per USP , particularly for poorly water-soluble compounds where bath-mediated heating improves reproducibility vs. air-based methods.
• Cell suspension culture of anchorage-independent lines (e.g., hybridomas, CHO cells) in serum-free media, where orbital motion prevents sedimentation without excessive shear stress.
• Extraction protocol standardization in environmental and food testing labs—e.g., pesticide residue recovery from aqueous matrices using vortex-assisted liquid–liquid extraction (VALLME) principles.
• Calibration verification of secondary temperature sensors using NIST-traceable reference probes immersed directly in the water bath.

FAQ

Does the SSK-4030RH support dual oscillation modes (orbital + reciprocating)?
No—the SSK-4030RH is configured exclusively for orbital (circular) motion. Models with reciprocating or switchable dual-mode capability are designated separately (e.g., SSK-4030WH).
Can this unit maintain sub-zero temperatures?
No—it operates from 0 °C to 100 °C. Sub-zero operation requires external refrigerated circulators or dedicated cryo-shakers.
Is the water bath depth sufficient for full immersion of 500 mL flasks?
The internal bath height is 180 mm; full immersion of tall-form 500 mL flasks is not recommended. Optimal loading uses vessels ≤250 mL or low-profile containers.
What is the maximum allowable load weight on the tray?
The platform is rated for ≤8 kg distributed load. Overloading may compromise oscillation stability and thermal uniformity.
Does DRETOP provide IQ/OQ documentation packages?
Yes—customizable qualification protocols (including Installation Qualification and Operational Qualification templates) are available upon request for GMP-regulated installations.