Grant PSU-10i Orbital Shaker

Overview

The Grant PSU-10i Orbital Shaker is a precision-engineered, digitally controlled orbital shaker designed for consistent, low-shear mixing in life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of uniform circular motion—generating a 10 mm diameter orbit at precisely regulated rotational speeds—to ensure homogeneous suspension of biological samples without inducing shear stress or foaming. Engineered for reliability in demanding environments, the PSU-10i features a brushless DC motor with electronic speed regulation, enabling stable operation across its full 50–450 rpm range. Its 12 V DC power architecture allows safe integration into cold rooms, incubators, and environmental chambers—eliminating risks associated with AC line voltage penetration through chamber seals. The unit is certified to CE, UKCA, and RoHS directives, confirming conformance with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.

Key Features

• Brushless DC motor delivering high torque at low speeds and exceptional long-term stability—ideal for overnight or multi-day incubation protocols.
• Intelligent auto-load balancing system compensates for uneven mass distribution, maintaining consistent orbit geometry and minimizing mechanical resonance.
• Dual-line 16-character LCD displays both setpoint and real-time values for speed (rpm) and elapsed/timer duration—enabling immediate verification without menu navigation.
• Programmable timer with automatic shutdown functionality supports unattended operation from 1 minute up to 96 hours—critical for reproducible cell culture passaging, antibody incubations, and hybridization steps.
• Removable platform design accommodates rapid reconfiguration: users may interchange between standard flat trays, the optional MPP-4 4-well microplate holder, universal Erlenmeyer flask clamps, or custom silicone mats for irregular vessels.
• Low-noise operation (<45 dB[A]) ensures compatibility with shared lab spaces and sensitive acoustic environments—no additional sound-dampening enclosures required.
• IP20-rated enclosure with reinforced polymer housing provides resistance to incidental moisture and routine laboratory cleaning agents.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PSU-10i supports a broad range of sample containers including 25–2000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, serum bottles, centrifuge tubes (up to 50 mL), and standard 96-well plates (when used with MPP-4 accessory). Its 3.0 kg maximum load capacity permits simultaneous processing of multiple flasks or high-density plate arrays. The device complies with ISO/IEC 17025-relevant operational stability requirements for routine QC/QA workflows and meets essential safety criteria outlined in IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–validated out-of-the-box, its deterministic timer logic and non-volatile parameter retention support GLP/GMP-aligned documentation practices when integrated into validated SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The PSU-10i operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded firmware-based data logging or network interface. All operational parameters—including speed setpoint, timer duration, and elapsed runtime—are retained in non-volatile memory during power interruption and restored upon reboot. For laboratories requiring electronic records, external time-stamped video monitoring or programmable PLC-based trigger logging (via optional dry-contact output module) can be deployed to satisfy audit trail requirements per ALCOA+ principles. No proprietary software is required; configuration is performed exclusively via front-panel membrane buttons.

Applications

This shaker is routinely employed in molecular biology for plasmid DNA purification (e.g., optimizing bead-binding kinetics in silica-coated magnetic particle protocols), immunology for ELISA plate washing and antigen-antibody incubation, microbiology for aerobic bacterial culture expansion, and cell biology for suspension cell maintenance during transfection or metabolic assays. Its precise low-speed capability (50 rpm minimum) enables gentle resuspension of fragile aggregates—such as embryoid bodies or organoid clusters—without disruption. The compact footprint and low thermal output make it suitable for placement inside CO₂ incubators (with door gasket clearance) or refrigerated workstations where temperature stability is paramount.

FAQ

Can the PSU-10i operate inside a 4 °C cold room?
Yes—the 12 V DC power supply eliminates mains voltage hazards and enables safe operation in refrigerated environments. Ambient operating range is specified from 4 to 40 °C.
Is the orbit diameter adjustable?
No—the PSU-10i delivers a fixed 10 mm orbital diameter, optimized for efficient mixing of liquid volumes from 5 mL to 2 L in standard laboratory vessels.
Does it support orbital-to-linear mode switching?
No—it is dedicated to orbital motion only. For reciprocating or variable-angle applications, consider the Grant PSU-20i or OLS series shakers.
What certifications does the unit carry?
CE, UKCA, and RoHS declarations of conformity are supplied with each unit. Full test reports are available upon request from Grant Instruments (Cambridge) Ltd.
How is calibration verified?
Speed accuracy is factory-verified using traceable tachometric reference standards (±1 rpm tolerance at 250 rpm). Users may perform periodic verification with an optical tachometer; no field recalibration is supported.