YiHeng THZ-103B Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker Incubator
| Brand | YiHeng |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Category | Domestic (China-made) |
| Model | THZ-103B |
| Instrument Type | Air-Jacketed Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker |
| Timer Range | 1–9999 min |
| Oscillation Frequency | 40–250 rpm |
| Orbit Diameter | 20 mm |
| Temperature Range | RT+5°C to 65°C |
| Number of Shelf Platforms | 9 |
Overview
The YiHeng THZ-103B Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker Incubator integrates precise temperature regulation with uniform orbital agitation in a single compact footprint—engineered for microbiological culture, cell suspension maintenance, enzyme assays, and biochemical incubation under controlled dynamic conditions. It operates on the principle of air-jacketed thermal convection combined with brushless DC motor-driven orbital motion (20 mm diameter), ensuring stable temperature distribution across the chamber and consistent mixing performance without mechanical wear or thermal drift. Designed for continuous operation in academic labs, QC facilities, and bioprocessing R&D environments, the THZ-103B complies with fundamental safety and operational requirements aligned with ISO 13485-informed laboratory equipment design practices and supports GLP-compliant workflow documentation when integrated with optional data logging interfaces.
Key Features
- Integrated incubation + shaking architecture reduces spatial demand while maintaining independent control over temperature (RT+5°C to 65°C) and orbital speed (40–250 rpm) with ±0.3°C temperature uniformity and ±2 rpm speed stability.
- Large backlit LCD display provides real-time monitoring of setpoint and actual values for temperature, speed, and remaining timer duration; intuitive menu-driven interface enables rapid parameter configuration without training overhead.
- Environmentally compliant refrigeration system utilizes non-ozone-depleting R134a refrigerant and high-efficiency imported compressor, meeting international eco-design directives for laboratory equipment.
- Stainless steel inner chamber and platform surfaces (AISI 304 grade) resist corrosion from repeated sterilization cycles and chemical exposure; wide-angle observation window facilitates non-invasive sample assessment.
- Intelligent power recovery logic restores pre-interruption operating conditions—including temperature setpoint, speed, and remaining time—following transient mains failure, minimizing experimental disruption.
- Triple-layer safety architecture includes door-interlocked shutdown (halts heating, fan circulation, and shaking upon lid opening), independent overtemperature cut-off circuitry, and soft-start motor control to prevent splashing and mechanical shock during acceleration.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The THZ-103B accommodates standard multi-well plates (6–96-well), Erlenmeyer flasks (50–2000 mL), test tubes, and Petri dish stacks across its nine independently accessible shelf platforms. Its air-jacketed design ensures minimal temperature gradient (<±0.5°C across load volume) and avoids condensation issues common in water-jacketed systems. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 Annex BB for hazardous location use, it conforms to general-purpose electrical safety standards applicable to Class II laboratory equipment in non-explosive environments. The stainless steel construction meets USP surface compatibility guidelines for aseptic preparation areas when validated per institutional SOPs.
Software & Data Management
The unit supports optional RS-485 serial communication and USB host interface (U-disk logging), enabling external acquisition of timestamped temperature, speed, and runtime data at user-defined intervals (1–60 sec). Raw logs are stored in CSV format for traceability and post-processing in Excel or LIMS-compatible platforms. Though no proprietary software is bundled, the ASCII protocol is documented for integration into LabVIEW, Python-based SCADA systems, or third-party data historians. Audit trail functionality—including operator ID tagging and parameter change logs—is achievable via external middleware adhering to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles when deployed with electronic signature validation.
Applications
- Microbial growth studies requiring simultaneous aeration and thermal control (e.g., E. coli, Bacillus subtilis culture optimization)
- Suspension cell line expansion (CHO, HEK293) under low-shear orbital agitation
- Enzyme kinetics assays where homogeneous mixing and constant temperature are critical
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) using broth microdilution protocols
- Protein solubilization and ligand-binding equilibration in buffer systems
- Environmental microbiology sample enrichment prior to plating or molecular analysis
FAQ
Is the THZ-103B suitable for CO₂-sensitive applications?
No—it lacks CO₂ regulation capability and is intended for ambient-air incubation only. For CO₂-dependent cultures, a dedicated CO₂ incubator shaker is required.
Can the unit operate unattended for 72+ hours?
Yes—its brushless DC motor, thermal management system, and auto-restart function support uninterrupted operation within its specified temperature and speed range, provided ambient conditions remain within 15–30°C and 40–80% RH.
What calibration documentation is supplied?
Factory calibration certificates for temperature and speed sensors are included; users must perform periodic verification per ISO/IEC 17025-aligned internal procedures using NIST-traceable reference instruments.
Is the stainless steel chamber electropolished?
No—the interior uses standard mill-finish AISI 304 stainless steel, suitable for routine cleaning with 70% ethanol or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; electropolishing is available as a custom modification.
Does the timer support countdown or count-up mode?
The built-in timer operates exclusively in countdown mode (1–9999 minutes); continuous operation is achieved by setting maximum time or disabling the timer function.
