YIHENG HZQ-3111 / HZQ-3112 / HZQ-3221 / HZQ-3222 Air-Bath Orbital Shaker (Single- or Dual-Deck Configuration)

Overview

The YIHENG HZQ series air-bath orbital shakers are engineered for precision, reliability, and extended unattended operation in microbiological culture, cell suspension, enzyme reaction, and reagent mixing applications. Unlike water-jacketed or heated incubator shakers, the HZQ models operate at ambient temperature—making them ideal for protocols requiring mechanical agitation without thermal modulation. The core motion principle is orbital oscillation (26 mm diameter), generated via a triple-eccentric-shaft balanced drive mechanism that ensures uniform angular velocity distribution across the entire platform surface, even under asymmetric loading conditions. This kinematic architecture eliminates localized resonance or amplitude drift, delivering high reproducibility essential for comparative growth studies, dose-response assays, and bioprocess development at bench scale.

Key Features

• Brushless DC motor architecture with zero carbon wear, enabling continuous operation over 500 hours without performance degradation or maintenance interruption.
• Triple-eccentric-shaft mechanical drive system—certified to maintain ±0.5% speed consistency across full load range (up to 20 kg per deck) and rated speed range (typically 30–300 rpm, model-dependent).
• Intelligent microprocessor control with real-time rotational speed monitoring: automatic shutdown triggered if actual speed deviates >±5% from setpoint for >2 seconds, preventing sample loss or mechanical stress.
• Power-fail recovery function retains all user-defined parameters—including speed, time, and programming sequence—in non-volatile memory, resuming operation automatically upon power restoration.
• Backlit LCD interface displays simultaneously: set speed, actual speed, remaining time, elapsed time, and program step index—eliminating mode-switching during active runs.
• Stainless-steel decks (AISI 304) with removable design for autoclave-compatible cleaning; standardized T-slot mounting pattern compatible with universal clamps, tube racks, flask holders, and microplate adapters (e.g., 96-well, deep-well, PCR plates).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HZQ series accommodates standard laboratory vessels including Erlenmeyer flasks (50–5000 mL), test tubes (10–50 mm OD), centrifuge tubes, Petri dishes, and multiwell plates. Deck configurations support either single-platform (HZQ-3111/3112) or dual-platform (HZQ-3221/3222) operation, allowing parallel processing of dissimilar sample sets under identical agitation conditions. All units are assembled and tested per ISO 9001-certified manufacturing protocols. While not actively temperature-controlled, their ambient-only operation aligns with ICH Q5C stability testing guidelines where thermal input must be excluded from mechanical stress variables. Device firmware supports timestamped event logging—critical for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned electronic records when paired with validated LIMS integration.

Software & Data Management

The base configuration operates via embedded firmware with no external software dependency. Optional RS-485 or USB-C serial interface enables connection to laboratory data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom SCADA). When equipped with multi-step programmable module, users define up to 16 independent segments—each specifying target speed, dwell time, and ramp profile—with real-time overlay of “set vs. actual” values on-screen. All parameter changes, run starts/stops, and fault events are logged with ISO 8601 timestamps. Audit trails comply with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) as defined in WHO TRS 996 Annex 11 and EU GMP Annex 11.

Applications

• Microbial culture expansion in aerobic suspension (E. coli, yeast, bacilli) using baffled flasks under controlled orbital shear.
• Cell line maintenance for suspension-adapted mammalian cultures (e.g., CHO, HEK293) requiring gentle yet consistent mixing.
• Antibody-antigen binding kinetics studies where convection-driven mass transfer must remain constant across replicate wells.
• Buffer equilibration, dialysis bag agitation, and solid-phase extraction plate conditioning prior to HPLC or MS analysis.
• Environmental microbiology: soil slurry homogenization, waterborne pathogen enrichment, and biofilm dispersion assays.

FAQ

Does the HZQ series provide temperature control?
No. These models are ambient-only orbital shakers. For temperature-regulated applications, consider YIHENG’s IS-RD series incubator shakers.
What is the maximum load capacity per deck?
20 kg for HZQ-322x dual-deck models; 15 kg for HZQ-311x single-deck variants—verified per ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom vibration standards.
Is multi-step programming standard or optional?
Multi-segment timing and speed sequencing is an optional firmware upgrade—ordered separately and field-installed via secure bootloader protocol.
Can the shaker be integrated into a networked lab infrastructure?
Yes. RS-485 Modbus RTU interface is available as a factory-installed option; Ethernet/IP and MQTT support require third-party gateway integration.
Are validation documents (IQ/OQ/PQ protocols) provided?
YIHENG supplies standard OQ test scripts aligned with ASTM E2500-13 and USP ; site-specific IQ/PQ execution remains the responsibility of the end-user’s qualified personnel.