Zuofei YC-10 / YC-20 Orbital Cell Culture Shaker

Overview

The Zuofei YC-10 and YC-20 Orbital Cell Culture Shakers are compact, microprocessor-controlled laboratory instruments engineered for consistent, low-shear orbital motion essential in mammalian cell culture, suspension culture of microbial strains, enzyme assays, and reagent mixing applications. Operating on the principle of circular orbital oscillation—where the platform rotates around a fixed horizontal axis with defined orbit diameter—the shakers generate uniform, laminar fluid motion ideal for oxygen transfer and nutrient homogenization without damaging sensitive adherent or suspension cells. Designed for benchtop integration in biosafety cabinets and incubators, both models feature brushless DC motor technology ensuring long-term operational stability, minimal heat generation, and zero carbon dust emission—critical for sterile environments and continuous unattended operation.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based digital control system with intuitive LED interface for precise setting and real-time display of speed (50–350 rpm) and timer (1 min to 99 h 59 min).
• Dual-orbit configuration: YC-10 offers 10 mm orbit diameter optimized for small-volume flasks and multi-well plates; YC-20 provides 20 mm orbit for enhanced mixing efficiency in larger vessels (e.g., 250–300 mL Erlenmeyer flasks).
• Brushless DC motor delivers high torque at low speeds, silent operation (20,000 hours MTBF) without maintenance.
• Universal platform design with anti-slip silicone mat ensures secure placement of Petri dishes, T-flasks, roller bottles, and standard culture vessels.
• Modular accessory system includes conical flask clamps (12×100/150 mL and 6×250/300 mL configurations), adjustable bottle holders with rubberized grips, and universal tube clamps compatible with 1.5–50 mL centrifuge tubes and tapered culture flasks.
• Robust aluminum alloy chassis and reinforced polymer housing provide structural rigidity while minimizing vibration transmission to adjacent equipment.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The YC series accommodates a broad range of labware used in upstream bioprocessing and academic cell biology workflows—including Corning® T-25/T-75 flasks, Falcon® 50 mL conical tubes, Nunc™ EasYFlasks®, and custom 3D scaffolds mounted on flat platforms. All accessories meet ISO 8573-1 Class 4 purity requirements for non-oil-lubricated mechanical systems. While not certified for IEC 61000-6-3 EMC immunity or UL/CSA safety listing, the shakers comply with GB/T 14710–2009 environmental testing standards for medical electrical equipment and conform to general laboratory equipment safety guidelines per GB 4793.1–2007 (equivalent to IEC 61010-1). For GLP/GMP-aligned labs, audit-ready operation logs can be manually recorded via timer and speed settings; optional RS-232 output (available upon request) supports basic external data capture.

Software & Data Management

The YC-10/YC-20 operate as standalone instruments without proprietary software dependency. All parameter settings are retained in non-volatile memory following power interruption. No cloud connectivity or firmware updates are provided; however, the unit supports manual protocol documentation aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles through operator-signed logbooks referencing timestamped run conditions (speed, duration, orbit mode). For integration into LIMS or ELN ecosystems, third-party serial-to-USB adapters may be used to log start/stop events and elapsed time—though native data export or electronic signature functionality is not embedded.

Applications

• Mammalian and insect cell suspension culture in serum-free or low-serum media.
• Pre-culture expansion of CHO, HEK293, and Sf9 cells prior to bioreactor inoculation.
• Bacterial growth kinetics studies (E. coli, Bacillus spp.) under controlled aeration conditions.
• Antibody production screening in 24- or 96-well plate formats using orbital agitation.
• Hybridoma culture maintenance and antigen-antibody binding assays requiring gentle mixing.
• Enzyme immobilization protocols and bioconjugation reactions where shear-sensitive biomolecules must remain structurally intact.

FAQ

What is the difference between YC-10 and YC-20?
The primary distinction lies in orbit diameter (10 mm vs. 20 mm) and maximum load capacity (3.0 kg vs. 2.5 kg), which determines optimal vessel size and mixing intensity.
Can this shaker be placed inside a CO₂ incubator?
Yes—its low heat dissipation (<2.5 W standby, <55 W peak), compact footprint (300 × 270 × 125 mm), and absence of lubricants make it suitable for most standard CO₂ incubators with internal dimensions ≥350 mm depth.
Is speed calibration traceable to national standards?
Factory calibration is performed using a NIST-traceable optical tachometer; users may verify performance annually with an external handheld tachometer (recommended interval: 12 months).
Does the timer support auto-restart after power failure?
No—the timer resets upon power loss; however, speed settings are preserved in memory and resume at pre-set RPM once power is restored.
Are replacement platforms or custom fixtures available?
Yes—Zuofei offers OEM-compatible accessory kits including stainless-steel platforms, magnetic flask holders, and autoclavable silicone mats (order codes: YC-PLT-SS, YC-CLAMP-MAG, YC-MAT-SIL-121°C).