Grant PMR-100 Adjustable-Angle Platform Shaker

Overview

The Grant PMR-100 Adjustable-Angle Platform Shaker is an engineered solution for gentle, reproducible orbital mixing of biological samples under precisely controlled environmental conditions. Designed around a low-voltage, brushless DC motor architecture and precision-machined tilt mechanism, it delivers consistent side-to-side rocking motion—distinct from orbital or vortex agitation—with programmable amplitude (tilt angle) and frequency (rpm). Its 12 V DC power architecture eliminates high-voltage wiring hazards and enables safe integration into cold rooms, CO₂ incubators, and other sealed or temperature-sensitive enclosures without compromising chamber integrity. The device operates across a broad ambient range (+4 °C to +40 °C), making it suitable for applications requiring simultaneous thermal and mechanical control—such as hybridization protocols, antibody incubations, and post-electrophoretic processing where shear-sensitive biomolecules must remain structurally intact.

Key Features

• Four or more independently usable platform surfaces, each accommodating standard multi-well plates, culture flasks, blotting trays, or sealed plastic bags (up to 5 kg total load per platform)
• Fine-grained tilt-angle adjustment: 0°–10° in 1° increments; angle range is dynamically linked to speed (0°–9° at 1–50 rpm; fixed 10° at 51–100 rpm) to maintain laminar flow profiles across viscosity gradients
• High-resolution electronic timer with dual-mode operation: continuous run or programmable duration from 1 minute to 99 hours and 59 minutes, with automatic shutdown and audible alert
• Low-noise motor design optimized for shared laboratory spaces and long-duration unattended operation; no external cooling fans required
• Backlit 2-line LCD display showing real-time values for setpoint and actual speed (rpm), tilt angle (°), and remaining/elapsed time
• Integrated non-slip silicone matting on all platforms to prevent lateral displacement of vessels during extended shaking cycles
• Compact footprint (W460 × D360 mm) and low-profile chassis facilitate placement inside incubators with limited vertical clearance

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PMR-100 supports a wide range of container formats—including polypropylene tubes, glass Petri dishes, hybridization bags, Western blot cassettes, and polycarbonate roller bottles—without requiring adapters or clamps. Its gentle rocking profile minimizes foam formation and cell shearing, preserving antigen-antibody binding kinetics and nucleic acid integrity during hybridization or immunoassay incubation. The instrument complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment and meets electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Class B requirements for use in non-industrial environments. While not certified for ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its deterministic timing logic, non-volatile parameter storage, and audit-ready manual log capability support GLP/GMP-aligned workflows when integrated into validated SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The PMR-100 operates as a standalone hardware controller with no embedded firmware update capability or network interface. All operational parameters are configured locally via membrane keypad and verified visually on the LCD. For traceability, users are advised to record setup parameters (speed, angle, duration) alongside batch identifiers in laboratory notebooks or LIMS-integrated electronic logs. No proprietary software is required, eliminating driver conflicts or OS dependency issues. The absence of cloud connectivity or remote access ensures data sovereignty and simplifies compliance with institutional IT security policies governing instrument networks.

Applications

• Nucleic acid and protein blotting: uniform buffer exchange during Southern/Northern/Western hybridization and stripping/re-probing steps
• Immunoassays: controlled agitation during primary/secondary antibody incubation to enhance epitope accessibility while reducing background noise
• Agglutination assays: reproducible low-shear mixing for red blood cell or latex particle-based diagnostics
• Post-electrophoresis processing: efficient destaining of SDS-PAGE gels and staining of nitrocellulose membranes
• Culture media homogenization: dispersion of supplements or antibiotics prior to sterile filtration or dispensing
• Cell-based assays: gentle suspension of adherent cells during detachment protocols or co-culture maintenance
• Environmental microbiology: mixing of enrichment broths in biosafety cabinets without aerosol generation

FAQ

Can the PMR-100 be operated inside a CO₂ incubator?

Yes—its 12 V DC power input, sealed electronics, and absence of heat-generating components make it compatible with standard humidified CO₂ incubators operating between +4 °C and +40 °C.
Is the tilt angle adjustable while the unit is running?

No—angle adjustment must be performed manually before initiating operation; changes during runtime are not supported to ensure mechanical stability and repeatability.
What is the maximum recommended viscosity for optimal mixing performance?

The shaker is validated for aqueous solutions up to 10 mPa·s (e.g., 1× PBS, 0.1% Tween-20 buffers); higher-viscosity media may require empirical optimization of speed/angle combinations.
Does the unit include overload or thermal protection?

Yes—the motor driver incorporates current-limiting circuitry and thermal cutoff that automatically suspends operation if internal temperature exceeds safe thresholds.
Are replacement platforms or custom-sized mats available?

Grant offers optional accessory kits including extended-life silicone mats and platform alignment jigs; custom dimensions are not supported under standard warranty terms.