Grant GRANT PMS-1000i Microplate Shaker

Overview

The Grant PMS-1000i Microplate Shaker is a compact, precision-engineered orbital shaker designed specifically for consistent, reproducible mixing of samples in standard 96-well, 384-well, and other ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates. Utilizing a true horizontal orbital motion with a fixed 2 mm diameter, the instrument ensures uniform agitation across all wells without splashing or cross-contamination—critical for sensitive downstream assays including ELISA, immunoassays, nucleic acid binding, and magnetic bead-based purification workflows. Unlike generic benchtop shakers, the PMS-1000i integrates mechanical plate retention via integrated screw clamps, eliminating lateral drift during high-speed operation (up to 1200 rpm) and maintaining positional fidelity even under extended incubation protocols. Its ambient-only configuration (PMS-1000i) provides reliable mixing performance without thermal regulation—ideal for applications requiring strict temperature separation between incubation and agitation steps.

Key Features

• Orbital shaking motion with precisely controlled 2 mm diameter for optimal well-to-well homogeneity
• Adjustable speed range from 150 to 1200 rpm via calibrated analog knob—enabling gentle suspension of cells or vigorous resuspension of silica-coated magnetic beads
• Dual independent microplate platforms (standard), each secured by stainless-steel screw clamps compatible with all ANSI/SLAS-standard plate depths (e.g., PCR, deep-well, assay plates)
• Optional MPP-4 accessory platform expands capacity to four microplates simultaneously—optimized for parallel assay processing in high-throughput screening labs
• Integrated dual-line 16-character LCD display showing real-time countdown timer and active speed setting
• Programmable timer with 1-minute to 24-hour range and automatic shutdown—supports unattended overnight protocols while meeting GLP documentation requirements for time-stamped process control
• Low-profile 12 V DC power architecture enables safe integration into CO₂ incubators and cold rooms via standard door gasket pass-throughs

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PMS-1000i accommodates all commercially available rigid-bottom microplates conforming to ANSI/SLAS dimensional standards (e.g., Corning, Greiner, Thermo Fisher). Its clamping system prevents plate displacement at speeds ≥1000 rpm—validated per ISO 8570:2017 (Laboratory equipment — Shakers — Performance testing). The device operates within an ambient environmental range of 5–40 °C and meets IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment. While the PMS-1000i itself does not provide active heating or cooling, its mechanical design and low electromagnetic emissions ensure compatibility with adjacent instrumentation in regulated environments compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity expectations when used with validated SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The PMS-1000i operates as a standalone hardware-controlled shaker with no embedded firmware or network interface. All operational parameters—including elapsed time, remaining timer duration, and selected rpm—are displayed locally on the LCD screen. For audit-trail compliance in GMP/GLP laboratories, users are advised to log start/stop times and speed settings manually or integrate the unit into facility-wide electronic lab notebook (ELN) systems via external timers or PLC-triggered relay modules. The absence of proprietary software reduces cybersecurity exposure and simplifies validation—consistent with Annex 11 principles for legacy instrument qualification.

Applications

• Immunoassay plate washing and antigen-antibody incubation (e.g., ELISA, Western blotting)
• Magnetic bead-based nucleic acid isolation—enhancing binding kinetics and reducing carryover in PCR template prep
• Cell-based assays requiring homogeneous reagent distribution without shear-induced lysis
• Enzyme-linked reactions where reaction kinetics depend on interfacial surface area between liquid phases
• Pre-analytical sample homogenization prior to HPLC, mass spectrometry, or microfluidic injection
• Quality control testing of diagnostic kits under standardized mixing conditions per CLSI EP12-A2 guidelines

FAQ

Does the PMS-1000i support temperature control?

No—the PMS-1000i is an ambient-only model. For thermally regulated shaking, refer to the PMS-1000 series variants with integrated Peltier heating (e.g., PMS-1000PH).
Can the PMS-1000i accommodate deep-well plates?

Yes—its adjustable clamping mechanism secures plates up to 44 mm depth, including 2 mL deep-well and PCR-compatible formats.
Is the timer programmable with audible alert?

The standard PMS-1000i includes visual countdown only; the PMS-1000i-B variant adds a buzzer alarm upon timer completion.
What power input is required?

A dedicated 12 V DC, 5 A power supply is mandatory; use of third-party adapters voids CE/UKCA certification and may impair speed stability.
How is calibration verified for regulatory compliance?

Speed accuracy is factory-verified using NIST-traceable tachometry; users should perform periodic verification with an external optical tachometer per ISO/IEC 17025 internal calibration procedures.