Tongxintianbo HEN-100 Temperature-Controlled Vortex Mixer

Overview

The Tongxintianbo HEN-100 Temperature-Controlled Vortex Mixer is an integrated laboratory instrument engineered for simultaneous precise temperature regulation and controlled orbital mixing. It operates on the principle of conductive thermal transfer via a high-thermal-conductivity aluminum alloy heating/cooling block, coupled with a brushless DC motor-driven eccentric oscillation mechanism. This dual-function architecture enables reproducible thermal conditioning and homogeneous sample agitation—critical for applications where thermal stability directly impacts solute solubility, chemical equilibrium, or volatile compound integrity. Unlike standalone incubators or vortexers, the HEN-100 eliminates sequential handling steps, reducing contamination risk and operator variability in routine sample preparation workflows such as standard solution preparation, reagent equilibration, dissolution kinetics studies, and pre-analytical stabilization of organic reference standards.

Key Features

• Wide operational temperature range from 0 °C to 100 °C, with active cooling capability enabling stable 4 °C storage mode for short-term preservation of thermolabile samples.
• High-precision PID temperature control with ±0.5 °C accuracy across the full range and ≤0.3 °C uniformity within the block—validated per ISO 17025 traceable calibration protocols.
• Programmable multi-stage protocols supporting independent or synchronized ramp-hold-mix sequences, allowing users to define temperature setpoints, dwell times, oscillation speed (rpm), amplitude, and duration per step.
• Modular platform compatible with standard 96-well microplates (flat-bottom or PCR format), 2 mL autosampler vials (≥30 positions), and optional adapters for 0.5 mL tubes or strip tubes—ensuring flexibility across analytical chemistry, environmental testing, and pharmaceutical QC labs.
• LCD interface with real-time display of current temperature, target temperature, actual speed (rpm), remaining time, and active program status—supporting immediate verification without external software.
• Built-in temperature calibration function accessible via front-panel menu, enabling user-performed offset correction against NIST-traceable reference thermometers—essential for audit readiness under GLP/GMP environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HEN-100 accommodates common labware used in regulated sample preparation, including glass and polypropylene 2 mL vials, PCR plates, and deep-well plates. Its sealed heating block minimizes evaporative loss during prolonged incubation—particularly beneficial for low-boiling-point organic solvents (e.g., acetone, dichloromethane, hexane) used in certified reference material (CRM) dilution. The device meets mechanical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 and electromagnetic compatibility per CISPR 11. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its programmable protocol logging (via optional RS232/USB data export) supports electronic record generation aligned with ALCOA+ data integrity principles when integrated into validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Software & Data Management

The HEN-100 operates autonomously via its embedded controller; no PC connection is required for basic operation. For advanced traceability, optional serial or USB communication enables export of runtime logs—including timestamped temperature profiles, speed history, and alarm events—to CSV files. These logs may be imported into LIMS or ELN platforms for long-term archiving, version-controlled protocol management, and audit trail reconstruction. Firmware updates are delivered via USB flash drive, ensuring maintainability without vendor dependency. All parameter settings persist after power cycling, and the system retains up to 10 user-defined programs with descriptive naming support.

Applications

• Preparation and stabilization of certified reference solutions for GC, HPLC, and ICP-MS analysis—especially critical for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organics (SVOCs) where ambient temperature fluctuations cause concentration drift.
• Equilibration of mobile phase solvents and buffer solutions prior to chromatographic method execution, ensuring consistent retention time and peak shape.
• Accelerated dissolution testing of solid dosage forms under controlled thermal conditions (e.g., USP compliance support).
• Short-term storage of enzymatic reagents, antibodies, or nucleic acid standards at 4 °C with concurrent gentle mixing to prevent sedimentation or aggregation.
• Standardization of extraction efficiency in EPA Method 8270/8260 workflows by maintaining consistent matrix temperature during sonication-assisted or vortex-assisted extractions.

FAQ

Does the HEN-100 support external temperature probe input for chamber monitoring?
No—the unit relies on internal PT100 sensor feedback from the heating block surface; it does not accept external probe inputs.
Can the oscillation speed be independently controlled while holding temperature constant?
Yes—speed and temperature are fully decoupled parameters; users may adjust rpm in real time during any temperature hold step.
Is the 4 °C storage mode actively refrigerated or passively cooled?
It utilizes Peltier-based active cooling combined with proportional heating to achieve stable 4 °C operation without condensation buildup.
What is the maximum allowable load mass for the 2 mL vial configuration?
The platform supports up to 1.2 kg total payload while maintaining specified thermal uniformity and speed stability.
Are validation documents (IQ/OQ/PQ templates) available for GxP-regulated labs?
Yes—Tongxintianbo provides customizable IQ/OQ protocol templates compliant with ASTM E2500 and ISO/IEC 17025, including test scripts for temperature mapping, speed verification, and alarm functionality checks.