OHAUS SHLDMP03DG Low-Profile Microplate Shaker

Overview

The OHAUS SHLDMP03DG is a low-profile, refrigerated/heated orbital microplate shaker engineered for precision, reproducibility, and integration into constrained laboratory environments—including biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, and cold rooms. It operates on the principle of controlled orbital motion with a fixed 3 mm orbit diameter, delivering uniform mixing across 96-well, 384-well, and deep-well microplates without cross-contamination or sample splashing. Its compact vertical footprint (height < 15 cm) enables seamless installation beneath standard fume hood sashes or inside incubator chambers with limited clearance—addressing a critical spatial constraint in high-density cell culture, immunoassay, and molecular biology workflows. The unit maintains thermal stability across its full operating range (−10 °C to +60 °C) with ±0.5 °C accuracy at setpoint, verified per internal calibration protocols traceable to NIST standards.

Key Features

• Low-profile chassis (148 mm H) optimized for under-hood and in-incubator deployment
• Triple-eccentric shaft drive system with permanently lubricated ball bearings and brushless DC motor for maintenance-free, continuous-duty operation
• Microprocessor-based control with non-volatile memory: retains last-used speed, time, and temperature settings after power interruption
• Dual independent LED displays—simultaneous readout of real-time rpm and elapsed/remaining time—controlled via sealed capacitive touch panel
• Programmable timer with countdown mode and auto-shutdown; supports user-defined limits from 1 second to 160 hours
• Integrated safety architecture: overload detection (audible/visual alert), ramped acceleration profile to prevent well-to-well carryover, audible end-of-timer alarm, and fluid-guided chassis design to divert condensate or spills away from electronics and motor housing
• Operational certification for use in non-condensing CO₂ atmospheres up to 80% relative humidity

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SHLDMP03DG accommodates standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates (96-, 384-, and 1536-well formats), PCR plates, and deep-well storage plates with or without lids. Its uniform orbital motion ensures consistent suspension of cells, beads, and immunoassay reagents—critical for ELISA, enzyme kinetics, hybridization, and antibody binding assays. The instrument complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and meets electromagnetic compatibility requirements per EN 61326-1:2013. While not certified for GMP manufacturing, its firmware supports audit-ready operation: all parameter changes are timestamped and logged internally, enabling GLP-aligned recordkeeping when paired with OHAUS LabX® software (optional).

Software & Data Management

The SHLDMP03DG operates as a standalone instrument but is compatible with OHAUS LabX® PC-based software via optional RS-232 or USB interface. LabX enables remote configuration, method storage, electronic signature support, and export of time-stamped operational logs (start/stop times, setpoints, deviations) in CSV or PDF format. All data exports comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when LabX is deployed with validated user access controls and audit trail activation. No cloud connectivity or proprietary firmware updates are required for routine operation—firmware remains static unless updated via secure USB key, minimizing cybersecurity exposure in regulated labs.

Applications

• ELISA plate washing and substrate incubation with precise temperature-controlled agitation
• Cell-based assays requiring gentle, uniform suspension during staining or fixation steps
• DNA/RNA hybridization and probe binding under thermally stabilized conditions
• Protein crystallization screening with controlled nucleation kinetics
• High-throughput compound solubility and dissolution testing in microplate format
• Long-duration kinetic assays (e.g., luciferase reporter studies) where temperature drift must remain < ±0.3 °C over 72+ hours

FAQ

Can the SHLDMP03DG operate inside a CO₂ incubator?
Yes—it is rated for continuous operation in non-condensing CO₂ environments up to 80% RH and ambient temperatures between −10 °C and +60 °C.
Does it support protocol recall after power loss?
Yes—the microprocessor retains the last active speed, time, and temperature settings in non-volatile memory and restores them upon reboot.
Is the unit compatible with deep-well plates containing viscous samples?
Yes—the 100–1200 rpm range and balanced triple-eccentric drive provide sufficient torque for homogeneous mixing of solutions up to 1000 cP viscosity at 3 mm orbit amplitude.
What safety certifications does it hold?
It conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 and EN 61326-1:2013 for laboratory electrical safety and EMC; no UL or CSA listing is provided for North American field installation.
Can multiple units be synchronized for parallel processing?
No—each SHLDMP03DG operates independently; synchronization requires external PLC-level coordination via digital I/O (not included).