Heidolph Unimax 1010 Orbital Shaker
| Brand | Heidolph |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | Unimax 1010 |
| Oscillation Amplitude | 10 mm |
| Platform Quantity | 1 |
| Power Input | 50 W |
| Speed Range | 30–500 rpm |
| Speed Display | Digital |
| Operating Modes | Continuous & Timer (1–999 min) |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 5 kg |
| Platform Dimensions | 290 × 258 mm |
| Protection Rating | IP40 |
| Optional Accessories | Elastic roller clamps, platform clamps, dual-layer support stands, Heidolph temperature-controlled enclosure (RT to 65 °C) |
Overview
The Heidolph Unimax 1010 is a precision-engineered orbital shaker designed for consistent, low-shear mixing in life science laboratories. Utilizing a robust eccentric drive mechanism, it delivers smooth, circular motion with a fixed 10 mm amplitude—optimized for gentle yet effective homogenization of cell cultures, microbial suspensions, immunoassays, and reagent preparations. Its German-manufactured construction ensures long-term mechanical stability and operational reliability under routine laboratory conditions. The Unimax 1010 operates within a speed range of 30–500 rpm, digitally displayed for real-time monitoring, and supports both continuous operation and programmable timed runs up to 999 minutes—enabling unattended overnight protocols without compromising reproducibility.
Key Features
- Orbital motion with precisely calibrated 10 mm amplitude—ideal for sensitive biological samples including adherent mammalian cells, yeast cultures, and enzyme-based assays.
- Digital speed control and LED display provide immediate feedback and facilitate rapid parameter verification during method setup or audit preparation.
- Single-platform design (290 × 258 mm) accommodates standard multi-well plates (up to 96-well), Petri dishes, Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 × 2000 mL with optional clamps), and test tubes—configured via interchangeable elastic roller or platform clamp systems.
- Rated load capacity of 5 kg ensures mechanical integrity when handling dense media or multiple large-volume vessels simultaneously.
- IP40-rated housing offers protection against solid objects ≥1 mm and limited ingress of vertically falling water—suitable for standard wet-lab environments without direct splash exposure.
- Low-power consumption (50 W) contributes to energy-efficient lab infrastructure planning and aligns with institutional sustainability objectives.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Unimax 1010 is routinely deployed in applications requiring ISO/IEC 17025-compliant sample preparation workflows—including buffer equilibration, antigen-antibody incubation, DNA extraction lysis steps, and ELISA plate washing pre-steps. When paired with Heidolph’s optional temperature-controlled enclosure (operable from ambient to 65 °C), the system supports ASTM D2487-compliant soil suspension protocols and USP environmental sampling preparation where controlled thermal agitation is required. While the base unit does not include integrated data logging, its analog control architecture permits integration into validated laboratory networks via external PLC interfaces for GLP/GMP traceability when used in regulated QC/QA settings.
Software & Data Management
The Unimax 1010 operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded firmware or proprietary software dependency. All operational parameters are set manually via front-panel controls, eliminating cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with networked devices. For laboratories requiring electronic record retention, the timer function can be synchronized with external time-stamped loggers or LIMS-integrated hardware triggers. No FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance features are built-in; however, procedural documentation—including speed, duration, and load configuration—can be recorded manually or via third-party audit trail solutions compliant with ALCOA+ principles.
Applications
- Microbial culture propagation in shake flasks under aerobic conditions.
- Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in biological buffers prior to DLS or TEM analysis.
- Pre-analytical mixing of clinical specimens (e.g., whole blood anticoagulant homogenization) before centrifugation.
- Agarose gel casting support—gentle agitation prevents bubble formation during warm agarose solution pouring.
- Chemical synthesis intermediate mixing where exothermic reactions necessitate controlled, non-turbulent agitation.
- Environmental microbiology: serial dilution plate inoculation preparation using standardized orbital motion.
FAQ
Can the Unimax 1010 be used inside a CO₂ incubator?
No—the unit is not rated for high-humidity or elevated-CO₂ environments; only the optional Heidolph temperature-controlled enclosure (external to incubators) provides regulated thermal operation.
Is speed calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—Heidolph provides factory calibration certificates upon request, traceable to PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) standards, supporting ISO 9001 quality system requirements.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Annual inspection of motor coupling and platform bearing alignment is advised; no routine lubrication is required due to sealed induction motor design.
Does the shaker support RS-232 or USB connectivity?
No—this is a manually operated device without digital communication ports; remote control requires external relay interfacing.
Can I use this shaker for viscous solutions (>1000 cP)?
Performance may degrade above 500 cP at higher speeds; for high-viscosity applications, consult Heidolph’s torque curve specifications or consider the Unimax 2010 variant with enhanced motor output.
