Hanuo HN60-4A Microplate Incubator Shaker

Overview

The Hanuo HN60-4A Microplate Incubator Shaker is an air-bath orbital shaker engineered for precise temperature-controlled mixing and incubation of microvolume samples in standardized microplates. It integrates a brushless DC motor with PID-based thermal regulation to deliver stable, uniform heating and highly reproducible orbital agitation—critical for applications requiring consistent kinetic energy input and thermal homogeneity across multi-well formats. Unlike water-jacketed or convection-based incubators, this unit employs direct conductive heating of the aluminum alloy platform combined with forced-air circulation above and below the plate surface, ensuring rapid thermal equilibration and minimal well-to-well temperature deviation. Designed specifically for life science workflows—including ELISA development, cell-based assays, protein binding studies, and microbial growth monitoring—the HN60-4A supports GxP-aligned protocols when integrated into validated laboratory environments.

Key Features

• Brushless DC motor drive ensures silent operation (20,000 hours), and zero maintenance requirements—eliminating carbon brush wear and commutation noise common in brushed motors.
• PID-controlled dual-zone heating system actively regulates both upper and lower plate surfaces, achieving ≤±0.5°C temperature uniformity across all 4 plates at setpoints from ambient+5°C to 60°C.
• High-resolution LCD display shows real-time values for set temperature, actual platform temperature, oscillation speed (rpm), and countdown timer—enabling full parameter transparency during runtime.
• Intuitive capacitive touch interface allows rapid parameter entry and profile recall; ergonomic chassis design (345 × 310 × 178 mm) facilitates placement inside biosafety cabinets or cold rooms.
• Programmable timer (0–99 h 59 min) with audible end-of-run alarm and auto-restart function after power interruption—supporting unattended overnight assays without protocol drift.
• Orbital motion at 2 mm amplitude (horizontal circular path) provides gentle yet effective mixing for adherent and suspension cultures while minimizing shear-induced cell damage.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HN60-4A accommodates up to four standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant microplates simultaneously—including 96-well, 384-well, 24-well, and 48-well formats—without adapter trays. Its rigid, anodized aluminum platform minimizes thermal lag and ensures mechanical stability under high-speed oscillation (up to 1500 rpm). The device meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment and complies with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per EN 61326-1. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, its deterministic control logic and non-volatile memory support audit-trail-ready configurations when paired with external LIMS or ELN systems. Temperature calibration certificates traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) are available upon request for GLP/GMP validation.

Software & Data Management

The HN60-4A operates as a standalone instrument with embedded firmware; no proprietary software or PC connection is required for basic operation. All settings—including temperature setpoint, rpm, and timer—are stored in non-volatile memory and retained during power cycles. For integration into automated workflows, optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial interfaces (available as accessory modules) enable remote parameter setting and status polling via ASCII command protocol. Raw operational logs—including start time, duration, average rpm, and mean platform temperature—can be exported for QA review. When deployed in regulated environments, users may implement procedural controls (e.g., documented calibration schedules, change management logs) to satisfy ISO/IEC 17025 or FDA guidance on instrument qualification.

Applications

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plate incubation with simultaneous shaking to enhance antigen-antibody binding kinetics.
• Cell culture maintenance in multi-well plates under controlled thermal and agitation conditions for proliferation, differentiation, or drug response studies.
• Microbial growth curve analysis in 96-well format using OD₆₀₀ monitoring, where consistent mixing prevents sedimentation and improves oxygen transfer.
• Protein crystallization screening requiring precise temperature ramping and gentle agitation to nucleate homogeneous crystal formation.
• High-throughput reagent resuspension and dilution workflows in genomics and proteomics core facilities.

FAQ

What microplate formats are supported?
Standard ANSI/SLAS-compliant plates: 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well formats. No adapters required.
Can the unit maintain temperature uniformity across all four plates simultaneously?
Yes—dual-surface heating and optimized airflow ensure ≤±0.5°C uniformity across the entire platform at any setpoint between ambient+5°C and 60°C.
Is the oscillation speed adjustable independently of temperature settings?
Yes—rpm and temperature are fully decoupled parameters; both can be set and modified in real time without interrupting operation.
Does the device support GLP-compliant calibration documentation?
Calibration reports traceable to national metrology institutes (e.g., NIM) are available as optional add-ons for IQ/OQ/PQ validation packages.
What is the maximum safe operating speed at elevated temperatures?
The unit maintains mechanical integrity and thermal stability up to 1500 rpm across its full temperature range; no derating is required.