YIHENG THZ-98AB LCD-Controlled Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker

Overview

The YIHENG THZ-98AB is a microprocessor-controlled, temperature-regulated orbital shaker engineered for reproducible cell culture, microbial growth, solubility studies, and biochemical incubation under controlled agitation. Unlike conventional shakers or standalone incubators, the THZ-98AB integrates precise thermal regulation (via PID-controlled refrigeration and heating) with consistent orbital motion—enabling seamless transition between shaking and static incubation modes without equipment replacement. Its core mechanism employs a brushless DC motor driving a balanced eccentric drive system, delivering stable oscillation across the full 40–300 rpm range with minimal vibration transmission to the benchtop. The unit operates on an eco-friendly R134a refrigerant-free cooling architecture, eliminating ozone-depleting substances while maintaining thermal uniformity ±0.5°C within the chamber at 37°C (per internal validation per ISO 13485-aligned test protocol). Designed for continuous-duty laboratory operation, it supports unattended runs up to 99 hours and 59 minutes, with non-volatile memory retention of setpoints during power interruption.

Key Features

• Integrated incubator-shaker functionality: Switch between agitation and static incubation modes using a single interface—eliminating workflow disruption and cross-contamination risk from instrument transfer.
• Large backlit LCD display with intuitive menu-driven navigation: Real-time simultaneous display of setpoint/actual values for temperature, speed, time, and system status—including fault codes for rapid diagnostics.
• Robust stainless-steel construction: 304-grade interior chamber, platform, and shelving ensure corrosion resistance, ease of decontamination, and compatibility with ethanol, isopropanol, and mild alkaline cleaners.
• Intelligent safety architecture: Door interlock disables heating, cooling, and shaking upon opening; independent overtemperature cut-off circuit interrupts power to heaters above user-defined threshold; motor soft-start prevents splashing and ensures laminar liquid motion.
• Optimized thermal management: Low-noise centrifugal circulation fan with adaptive speed control minimizes evaporative loss in culture vessels; double-glazed, tempered observation window provides thermal insulation (U-value ≤ 2.8 W/m²·K) and optical clarity during operation.
• Expandable connectivity: Optional RS-485 port and USB host interface support data logging to external PCs or USB drives—enabling traceable recordkeeping compliant with GLP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated software.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The THZ-98AB accommodates standard microbiological and cell culture formats including flasks (up to 5 L), deep-well plates, test tubes, and custom fixtures via interchangeable clamps and platforms (sold separately). Its 20 mm orbital diameter meets ASTM E1249-22 criteria for uniform mixing in suspension cultures. Chamber dimensions (W×D×H: 450 × 450 × 400 mm) allow stacking of multiple 2 L Erlenmeyer flasks with adequate headspace. All electrical components comply with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment safety. Refrigeration system conforms to EU F-Gas Regulation (No. 517/2014) and uses zero-ODP, low-GWP refrigerants. CE marking affirms conformity with EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU.

Software & Data Management

While the base unit operates via embedded firmware, optional data acquisition modules enable time-synchronized logging of temperature, speed, elapsed time, and alarm events at user-selectable intervals (1 s to 60 min resolution). Exported CSV files are compatible with MATLAB, Python (pandas), and LabChart for statistical analysis and trending. When configured with the optional multi-segment programming module, users define up to 8 programmable steps—each with independent temperature, speed, and duration parameters—to emulate diurnal cycles, gradient-based induction, or staged fermentation protocols. Audit trails include timestamped operator ID (via password-protected login), parameter changes, and system alerts—supporting ISO/IEC 17025 and GMP Annex 11 documentation needs.

Applications

• Mammalian and insect cell suspension culture under controlled O₂/CO₂-compatible conditions (when used with gas-permeable closures)
• Bacterial and yeast growth kinetics assays (e.g., OD₆₀₀ monitoring, antibiotic susceptibility testing)
• Enzyme reaction optimization requiring thermal stability and homogeneous mixing
• Protein solubilization and antigen-antibody binding studies in microplate formats
• Environmental microbiology: water sample enrichment, bioremediation simulation, and biofilm dispersion assays
• Pharmaceutical QC: dissolution profile development, excipient compatibility screening, and stability-indicating method validation

FAQ

Does the THZ-98AB support CO₂ or humidity control?
No. It is designed for temperature and agitation control only. Humidity and CO₂ regulation require integration with external gas-mixing systems or dedicated CO₂ incubators.
Can the unit operate continuously for >72 hours?
Yes. Rated for uninterrupted operation up to 5999 minutes (99 h 59 min) with automatic restart after brief power loss—provided ambient temperature remains ≤30°C and ventilation grilles are unobstructed.
Is the 20 mm orbit suitable for high-viscosity media?
The 20 mm orbital path is optimized for aqueous suspensions up to 10 cP. For viscosities >20 cP, reduce speed to ≤150 rpm and verify mixing homogeneity empirically using dye dispersion tests.
What certifications does the THZ-98AB carry?
CE-marked per EN 61326-1 (EMC) and EN 61010-1 (safety); RoHS 2011/65/EU compliant; factory-calibrated per ISO/IEC 17025 traceable to NIM (China National Institute of Metrology).
Are UV sterilization and multi-segment programming included by default?
No. Both UV lamp assembly and advanced programming module are optional accessories—ordered separately with model suffixes “-UV” and “-PROG”, respectively.