TAITEC Wave-PR / Wave-SI / Wave-SI Slim Benchtop Orbital and Rocking Shaker

Overview

The TAITEC Wave-PR, Wave-SI, and Wave-SI Slim are compact, precision-engineered benchtop shakers designed for low-shear, controlled agitation in molecular biology, cell culture, and analytical sample preparation workflows. Unlike conventional orbital or reciprocating shakers, these instruments employ two distinct motion profiles—wave-type oscillation (Wave-PR) and rocking-type oscillation (Wave-SI and Wave-SI Slim)—to deliver gentle, reproducible fluid mixing under static or temperature-controlled environments. The Wave-PR utilizes a patented undulating motion that mimics manual hand-shaking, minimizing shear stress on fragile biological samples such as genomic DNA during extraction. The Wave-SI and Wave-SI Slim implement a precise seesaw (rocking) motion optimized for uniform liquid distribution across shallow containers—even at low volumes—making them ideal for gel staining/destaining, membrane washing in Western blotting, and trypsin-EDTA dissociation of adherent cells. All models are engineered for stable operation across a wide ambient temperature range (0 °C to +50 °C), enabling seamless integration into cold rooms, incubators, and environmental chambers without performance degradation.

Key Features

• Gentle, low-shear agitation: Wave-PR’s wave-type motion ensures minimal mechanical stress on nucleic acids and protein complexes; Wave-SI/Slim’s rocking motion promotes consistent lateral flow in narrow or shallow vessels.
• Adjustable oscillation angle: Wave-PR and Wave-SI support manual angle adjustment from 2° to 6° and 2° to 10° respectively, enabling fine-tuned optimization for specific container geometries and viscosity ranges.
• Temperature-resilient architecture: Fully rated for continuous operation between 0 °C and +50 °C—validated for use inside refrigerated incubators, CO₂ chambers, and chilled workstations.
• Modular platform system: Interchangeable platforms—including MT-2030 (for horizontal centrifuge tube fixation), WR-3636 (large-dish platform), and WR-2030 (dual-layer platform)—support diverse vessel formats without hardware modification.
• Dedicated accessory ecosystem: Includes ST-2030 reusable adhesive film (washable, reactivatable with water), PR-series centrifuge tube clamps (for 15 mL and 50 mL tubes), and AT-0004 horizontal tube holders compatible with 15–100 mL capped tubes and culture flasks.
• Compact footprint and low power draw: Wave-SI Slim measures only 180 × 130 × 110 mm and weighs just 1.8 kg—ideal for space-constrained laminar flow hoods or multi-instrument benchtop setups.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Wave series accommodates a broad range of laboratory vessels, including microcentrifuge tubes (1.5–2.0 mL), conical tubes (15 mL and 50 mL), Petri dishes (up to 150 mm), T-25/T-75 tissue culture flasks, and custom trays. Its low-frequency, low-amplitude motion meets the mechanical handling requirements specified in ISO 15190:2020 (laboratory safety) and supports GLP-compliant sample preparation protocols where consistency and minimal sample perturbation are critical. While the instrument itself does not include built-in temperature control, its certified operating envelope aligns with ASTM E1509-22 (standard practice for incubator/shaker integration) and enables validated use within FDA-regulated environments when paired with external environmental chambers meeting 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity criteria (e.g., via external logging systems).

Software & Data Management

These models operate as standalone analog devices with no embedded microprocessor or digital interface. Speed is adjusted manually via calibrated rotary dial, and oscillation angle is set mechanically using an integrated tilt mechanism. No firmware, USB connectivity, or software drivers are provided—ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in sensitive electrophysiology or imaging suites. For laboratories requiring audit-ready records, external validation tools (e.g., tachometer-based speed verification logs, thermal mapping reports from integrated incubators) may be employed per internal SOPs. Optional digital speed display modules (sold separately) provide real-time rpm readout but do not store or transmit operational data.

Applications

• Genomic DNA isolation: Wave-PR’s wave motion prevents shearing during lysis and binding steps in silica-membrane or magnetic bead-based kits.
• Gel electrophoresis processing: Uniform staining/destaining of agarose and polyacrylamide gels using Wave-SI’s rocking action—particularly effective for SYBR Safe, Coomassie, and silver nitrate protocols.
• Membrane hybridization workflows: Consistent buffer exchange during pre-hybridization, probe hybridization, and post-hybridization washes in Southern/Northern/Western blotting.
• Cell detachment and passaging: Controlled, non-turbulent exposure to trypsin-EDTA solutions for epithelial and fibroblast lines—reducing clumping and improving viability.
• Antibody incubation and ELISA plate washing: Compatible with flat-bottom microplates when mounted on WR-2030 dual-layer platform with appropriate adhesive film.
• Low-volume reagent mixing: Wave-SI Slim’s fixed 6° rocking angle ensures complete fluid transit across the centerline of 24-well plates or mini-gel cassettes—even at volumes as low as 100 µL.

FAQ

Can the Wave-PR be used inside a standard CO₂ incubator?
Yes—its 0 °C to +50 °C operating range and absence of heat-generating electronics make it suitable for placement inside humidified CO₂ incubators, provided physical clearance and cable routing comply with manufacturer safety guidelines.
Is the ST-2030 adhesive film autoclavable?
No—the ST-2030 film is not autoclavable; however, it is reusable and regains adhesion after gentle rinsing with deionized water and air drying.
What is the maximum recommended load for the Wave-SI Slim platform?
The nominal load capacity is 2 kg total—including vessels, liquid, and accessories—but for optimal motion fidelity and longevity, loads exceeding 1.2 kg should be verified for stability at higher rocking angles (e.g., >4°).
Are speed and angle settings traceable for quality audits?
Speed is set via a calibrated analog dial (±2 rpm accuracy per factory calibration certificate); angle is adjusted using a marked mechanical scale (±0.5° repeatability). Full traceability requires periodic third-party verification using optical tachometry and inclinometer measurement.
Can the Wave-SI accommodate 100 mL glass bottles?
Yes—when used with the AT-0004 horizontal tube holder mounted on the MT-2030 platform, the Wave-SI supports up to four 100 mL volumetric flasks or screw-cap bottles in upright orientation.