Taicang THZ-C Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker

Overview

The Taicang THZ-C Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker is an engineered platform for precise, reproducible incubation and mixing of biological and biochemical samples under controlled thermal and mechanical conditions. Utilizing air-bath convection heating—rather than water immersion—the system delivers uniform temperature distribution across the entire oscillating platform while eliminating risks associated with liquid leakage, corrosion, or microbial growth in water jackets. Its orbital motion (26 mm diameter) generates gentle yet effective mixing ideal for cell culture suspension, microbial growth, enzyme assays, solubility studies, and reagent homogenization. Designed for benchtop use in academic laboratories, QC facilities, and bioprocess development environments, the THZ-C operates within a validated temperature range of ambient +5 °C to 60 °C and supports programmable timing up to 999 minutes—enabling unattended overnight or multi-hour experiments compliant with GLP-aligned workflows.

Key Features

• Stable air-bath heating architecture with PID-controlled thermal regulation and ±0.3 °C temperature uniformity across the platform surface
• Digitally adjustable orbital speed from 40 to 300 rpm, with real-time feedback and <0.5 rpm speed stability under load
• Single-platform configuration optimized for compatibility with standard Erlenmeyer flasks (250 mL × 12 or 1000 mL × 6), test tubes, and deep-well microplates
• LED display interface with intuitive parameter entry, simultaneous monitoring of setpoint and actual temperature/speed, and non-volatile memory for last-used settings
• Robust aluminum alloy chassis with reinforced steel frame and anti-slip silicone matting to minimize vibration transmission and ensure positional stability during high-speed operation
• Universal clamp system accommodating round-bottom, flat-bottom, and conical vessels without tooling—compatible with ISO-standard flask neck diameters (e.g., 24/40, 29/32)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The THZ-C accommodates common laboratory vessels used in aerobic cultivation, protein expression, and fermentation screening—including glass and polycarbonate Erlenmeyer flasks, borosilicate test tubes, and polypropylene culture bottles. Its open-air design avoids condensation-related contamination and permits rapid thermal equilibration for temperature-sensitive applications such as recombinant protein induction or phage propagation. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 or UL 61010B as a standalone medical device, the unit meets general safety requirements for Class II laboratory equipment operating under standard ambient conditions (IEC 60529 IP20). It supports documentation practices aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 quality systems and provides traceable operational parameters suitable for internal audit trails in non-GMP research settings.

Software & Data Management

The THZ-C operates via embedded firmware without external PC dependency; however, its digital interface enables manual logging of start time, duration, temperature setpoint, and speed for experimental recordkeeping. For integration into regulated environments, users may pair the instrument with external data loggers (e.g., compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 via third-party validation) to capture timestamped temperature and speed profiles. The timer function supports sequential run protocols when combined with lab information management systems (LIMS) through simple relay-triggered start/stop signals. No proprietary software is required—parameter entry and status monitoring remain fully accessible via front-panel controls.

Applications

• Microbial growth kinetics (E. coli, yeast, Bacillus spp.) in shake-flask bioreactor simulations
• Suspension culture of mammalian cells (CHO, HEK293) during transfection optimization and early-stage expansion
• Enzymatic reaction kinetics requiring simultaneous temperature control and homogeneous mixing
• Dissolution testing of pharmaceutical excipients and active ingredients per USP <711> guidance
• Antibiotic susceptibility assays using broth microdilution formats
• Environmental microbiology sample enrichment (e.g., coliform detection in water matrices)
• Antigen-antibody binding studies where agitation prevents sedimentation-induced false negatives

FAQ

Is the THZ-C suitable for use with volatile organic solvents?
Yes—its air-bath design eliminates water contact and reduces fire risk; however, operation in fume hoods is recommended when handling low-flashpoint solvents.
Does the unit include over-temperature and motor overload protection?
Yes—integrated thermal cutoffs and current-limiting circuitry prevent damage during extended operation or unexpected load changes.
Can the platform accommodate microplate carriers?
While not supplied as standard, third-party universal microplate holders (e.g., 96-well or 24-well compatible) can be secured using the existing clamp system.
What is the typical warm-up time to reach 37 °C from ambient (25 °C)?
Approximately 12–15 minutes under no-load conditions; stabilization time increases by ~3–5 minutes when loaded with 12 × 250 mL flasks containing aqueous media.
Is calibration documentation available?
Factory calibration certificates are provided upon request; users may perform field verification using NIST-traceable RTDs or thermistors per ASTM E2251 guidelines.