FM Series FM50 Laboratory Flake Ice Machine
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | FM50 |
| Price | USD 3,200 (FOB Shanghai) |
Overview
The FM Series FM50 Laboratory Flake Ice Machine is an engineered solution for controlled, on-demand production of fine, dry flake ice—optimized for scientific laboratory applications requiring rapid thermal equilibration, sample cooling, and precise temperature stabilization. Unlike cubed or nugget ice machines, the FM50 employs a direct-expansion, stainless-steel evaporator drum system with dual-spiral ice-cutting blades and a four-stage gear-reduction drive. This architecture ensures consistent flake formation (typical thickness: 1.0–1.8 mm, average diameter: 6–12 mm), high surface-area-to-volume ratio, and minimal meltwater retention—critical for maintaining low-temperature integrity in centrifuge buckets, electrophoresis trays, PCR setup stations, and tissue dissection workflows. The unit operates on R134a refrigerant and complies with IEC 61000-3-12 (harmonic current emissions) and ISO 13732-1 (thermal safety) standards for laboratory environments.
Key Features
- Compact footprint (W450 × D520 × H620 mm) designed for benchtop or under-bench integration in ISO Class 5–8 cleanrooms and QC laboratories.
- Stainless steel 304 exterior housing with seamless welds and IPX4-rated front panel—resistant to corrosion from saline solutions, ethanol wipes, and routine decontamination protocols.
- Microprocessor-based control board with real-time monitoring of evaporator temperature, condenser pressure, compressor runtime, and ice bin fullness—enabling predictive maintenance alerts.
- Dual-spiral ice cutter driven by a four-stage planetary gearbox, reducing operational noise to ≤52 dB(A) at 1 m distance—meeting WHO-recommended acoustic limits for shared lab spaces.
- Integrated 30 mA residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) and grounded chassis design compliant with IEC 61010-1 Edition 3 for electrical safety in wet-location laboratory use.
- Front-mounted power switch and LED status indicators (Power, Cooling, Ice Ready, Fault) for intuitive operator interface without tools or panel removal.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The FM50 produces non-porous, low-density flake ice suitable for direct contact with biological samples, reagent vials, and analytical instrumentation cooling jackets. Ice morphology meets ASTM D4178-22 specifications for flake ice physical characteristics. Unit construction adheres to UL 61010-1 and GB 4706.13 (China National Standard for Refrigerating Appliances). Optional CE marking available upon request for EU shipment; RoHS 3 and REACH SVHC declarations provided with documentation package. Not intended for food-grade consumption per FDA 21 CFR Part 110, but validated for non-sterile laboratory cooling per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.3 (equipment suitability assessment).
Software & Data Management
The FM50 operates as a standalone electromechanical system with no embedded firmware requiring network connectivity or software updates. All operational parameters are monitored via analog sensors (PT100 evaporator probe, pressure transducer) feeding discrete logic circuits—eliminating cybersecurity vulnerabilities and ensuring deterministic response times. Event logs (compressor cycles, fault codes, runtime hours) are stored in non-volatile EEPROM and accessible via diagnostic port using standard RS-232 terminal emulation (9600 baud, N-8-1). Audit trail generation conforms to GLP Annex 11 principles for manual equipment: printed log sheets (supplied) support traceable recordkeeping during method validation and internal audits.
Applications
- Pre-chilling of centrifuge rotors and microcentrifuge tubes prior to high-speed runs.
- Maintaining <4 °C stability during electrophoresis gel pouring and running.
- Cooling reaction mixtures in qPCR master mix preparation and restriction digest setups.
- Thermal management of mass spectrometer ion sources and LC column ovens during ambient temperature fluctuations.
- Supporting cryopreservation workflows—including cell suspension cooling pre-freeze and dry-shipper replenishment.
- Calibration verification of digital thermometers and temperature probes using ice-point reference baths (with NIST-traceable verification).
FAQ
What is the daily ice production capacity of the FM50 model?
Rated output is 50 kg/24 h under ISO 5151 test conditions (ambient 21 °C, water inlet 10 °C). Actual yield varies ±12% with ambient humidity and inlet water temperature.
Does the FM50 require a dedicated drain line?
No. It features a sealed, recirculating condensate management system with auto-evaporation—no floor drain or plumbing required.
Can the unit be installed inside a fume hood or cold room?
Not recommended. Ambient operating range is 10–32 °C; installation below 10 °C may cause refrigerant oil viscosity issues and inconsistent ice release.
Is remote monitoring or IoT integration supported?
No. The FM50 is intentionally designed as an air-gapped, low-maintenance appliance to minimize failure modes and regulatory complexity in GxP environments.
What maintenance intervals are specified for laboratory compliance?
Condenser coil cleaning every 90 days (vacuum + soft brush); evaporator drum inspection quarterly; full system performance verification annually per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.5.
