OHAUS ISHD23HDG High-Capacity Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker

Overview

The OHAUS ISHD23HDG High-Capacity Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker is an engineered platform for demanding life science applications requiring precise, reproducible orbital motion combined with stable, uniform thermal control. Designed around a robust air-jacketed heating architecture, it maintains temperature setpoints across its large internal chamber using a microprocessor-driven PID controller—ensuring minimal spatial gradients and high temporal stability. Its orbital motion mechanism employs a triple-eccentric shaft system coupled with a brushless DC motor, delivering smooth, low-vibration agitation without mechanical wear or carbon dust generation. This architecture supports scalable suspension culture, microbial growth, solubility screening, and extraction workflows where consistent mixing energy and thermal homogeneity are critical to experimental fidelity. Unlike compact benchtop shakers, the ISHD23HDG accommodates heavy payloads up to 22.7 kg while maintaining operational integrity across its full speed range—a capability essential for multi-flask bioreactor preparations or high-density cell culture formats.

Key Features

• Triple-eccentric balanced drive system ensures uniform orbital motion (25 mm diameter) with minimal harmonic resonance—even under asymmetric or high-mass loads.
• Brushless DC motor provides extended service life, silent operation, and precise speed regulation from 15 to 500 rpm with accuracy of ±1 rpm (100 rpm).
• PID-controlled air-jacketed heating delivers temperature stability of ±0.5 °C at 37 °C across the entire working volume (523 × 432 × 629 mm), validated per ISO 17025 traceable protocols.
• Digital front-panel interface with independent LED displays for real-time monitoring of temperature, speed, and elapsed/remaining time—enabling unambiguous parameter verification during GLP-compliant runs.
• Integrated safety architecture includes over-temperature cutoff, motor overload detection, thermal overshoot suppression, and automatic shutdown upon tray imbalance or excessive vibration.
• RS232 serial port enables bidirectional communication with LIMS or laboratory automation systems for audit-trail-enabled data logging in compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ISHD23HDG accommodates standard and custom-sized vessels—including stacked Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 5 L), deep-well microplates, roller bottles, and stainless-steel bioreactor cartridges—via its 457 × 457 mm anodized aluminum tray. Its structural rigidity and dynamic balancing support heterogeneous loading configurations without compromising thermal or mechanical performance. The instrument complies with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries TÜV certification for CE-marked deployment in EU-regulated laboratories. It meets ASTM E1240-22 criteria for orbital shaker performance validation and supports ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration intervals when paired with NIST-traceable thermistors and tachometers.

Software & Data Management

While the ISHD23HDG operates autonomously via its embedded controller, its RS232 interface allows integration with third-party software platforms such as OHAUS Logger Pro™ or custom Python-based acquisition scripts. Time-stamped parameter logs—including temperature setpoint vs. actual, speed deviation, and timer status—are exportable as CSV files for retrospective analysis. Audit trail functionality records user-initiated changes (e.g., setpoint modifications, program starts/stops) with timestamps and operator IDs when used in conjunction with compliant LIMS environments. Firmware updates are delivered via secure USB-to-serial bridges, ensuring continued alignment with evolving regulatory expectations for instrument qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).

Applications

• Mammalian and insect cell suspension culture in vented-cap flasks or wave bioreactors, particularly under low-shear, high-oxygen-transfer conditions.
• Bacterial fermentation and induction studies requiring simultaneous temperature ramping and speed modulation (e.g., IPTG-triggered protein expression).
• Solubility profiling of poorly water-soluble compounds across physiological temperature gradients (25–45 °C), aligned with USP guidance on dissolution apparatus qualification.
• Extraction optimization for natural product isolation—where consistent orbital agitation enhances mass transfer kinetics without emulsion formation.
• QC/QA stability testing per ICH Q1A(R2), including long-term (160 h) accelerated degradation studies under controlled thermal and mechanical stress.

FAQ

What is the maximum load capacity at 500 rpm?
At 500 rpm, the maximum recommended load is 4.53 kg to maintain mechanical stability and thermal uniformity.
Does the shaker support programmable temperature ramps?
Yes—the PID controller permits linear ramp profiles between two temperature setpoints, with user-defined ramp rates (°C/min) and dwell times.
Is the RS232 port compatible with modern Windows/Linux systems?
Yes, using industry-standard FTDI or CH340G USB-to-serial adapters; drivers and basic command syntax are documented in the OHAUS Technical Reference Manual v3.2.
How is temperature uniformity validated across the chamber?
OHAUS performs 9-point thermal mapping (per ISO 17025 Annex C) during factory calibration, with certificates available upon request.
Can the unit operate continuously for >72 hours?
Yes—designed for unattended 24/7 operation within specified environmental limits (15–32 °C, ≤80% RH non-condensing); thermal management includes dual-stage cooling-assisted airflow.