HUXI HX-20TS Intelligent Metal Block Thermostatic Shaker

Overview

The HUXI HX-20TS Intelligent Metal Block Thermostatic Shaker is an integrated benchtop instrument engineered for precise thermal regulation and controlled agitation in molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical R&D laboratories. Unlike conventional water baths or dry-block heaters, the HX-20TS employs a solid aluminum heating block combined with a brushless DC motor-driven horizontal rotary oscillation system—enabling simultaneous temperature stabilization and homogeneous sample mixing without cross-contamination risk. Its core control architecture implements Proportional-Integral (PI) heating algorithms to minimize thermal overshoot and ensure linearity across the full operating range (ambient +5 ℃ to 106 ℃). Designed for reproducible incubation, enzymatic reactions, cell lysis preparation, and reagent equilibration, the device meets essential functional requirements for GLP-compliant workflows where traceable temperature stability and mechanical consistency are critical.

Key Features

• 4.3-inch high-resolution capacitive TFT touchscreen with intuitive full-screen touch navigation—displaying real-time temperature, setpoint, oscillation speed, elapsed time, and active program status.
• Multi-stage programmable control supporting up to five independent temperature/time setpoints per protocol—enabling complex thermal ramp-and-hold sequences (e.g., denaturation–annealing–extension cycles).
• High-fidelity thermal performance: temperature accuracy ≤ ±0.5 ℃ and uniformity ≤ ±0.3 ℃ across the entire block surface, validated per ISO/IEC 17025-aligned internal calibration procedures.
• Dual-safety architecture: hardware-based over-temperature cutoff (independent of microcontroller) plus software-monitored fault detection with audible alarm and on-screen alert.
• Transparent polycarbonate lid constructed from food-grade, high-heat-resistant PC material—mechanically integrated to prevent misplacement and rated for continuous use at 100 ℃.
• Auto-recovery function retains user-defined parameters during brief power interruptions and resumes operation at the exact point of disruption—critical for unattended overnight protocols.
• Modular block compatibility: standard configuration includes a 35-position 2.0 mL centrifuge tube insert; optional modules support 0.2 mL PCR tubes, 15 mL/50 mL conical tubes, microplates, and custom geometries (modules A–N).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HX-20TS accommodates common laboratory consumables including thin-walled PCR tubes, standard Eppendorf-style microcentrifuge tubes (1.5–2.0 mL), and select deep-well plates—ensuring optimal thermal transfer via direct metal-to-vessel contact. All structural materials comply with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Annex XVII restrictions. Electrical safety certification conforms to EN 61010-1:2010 (IEC 61010-1) and carries CE marking for use within the European Economic Area. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit-ready data export (via optional USB logging) supports integration into FDA-regulated environments when paired with validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware supports time-stamped parameter logging (temperature, speed, program stage) with optional USB data dump to CSV format for post-run analysis. No proprietary software installation is required—raw logs are readable in Excel or Python-pandas environments. For automated lab networks, the optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial interface enables command-line control using SCPI-like syntax (e.g., “TEMP:SET 37.0”, “SPEED:SET 800”) compatible with LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom Python scripts. Audit trail functionality includes operator ID tagging (when integrated with networked authentication), session start/end timestamps, and calibration event logging—all exportable for regulatory review.

Applications

• Enzyme kinetics assays requiring precise thermal staging and gentle mixing (e.g., restriction digests, ligations, phosphorylations).
• Cell culture sample preparation—including bacterial transformation heat shock (42 ℃, 45 sec) and plasmid miniprep elution steps.
• Antibody-antigen binding optimization under controlled thermal gradients.
• Standardization of qPCR master mix equilibration prior to plate loading.
• Accelerated stability testing of biologics formulations at elevated temperatures (up to 106 ℃) with concurrent agitation to simulate shear stress.
• Pre-analytical processing in clinical labs: serum separation enhancement, coagulation timing control, and reagent thawing with agitation to prevent gradient formation.

FAQ

Does the HX-20TS support cooling below ambient temperature?
No. The unit is a heater-only system utilizing resistive heating elements; it does not incorporate thermoelectric (Peltier) or compressor-based cooling.
Can multiple temperature zones be controlled independently within one block?
No. The HX-20TS maintains uniform temperature across the entire aluminum block; multi-zone control is not supported.
Is the USB interface capable of real-time bidirectional communication?
Yes—when configured with the optional USB-to-serial adapter, the device accepts SCPI-style commands and returns status queries with millisecond-level latency.
What validation documentation is provided for GxP environments?
Factory-issued IQ/OQ documentation templates are available upon request; users must perform site-specific PQ per their SOPs using NIST-traceable thermocouples and tachometers.
How often should temperature calibration be performed?
Annual calibration is recommended; however, daily verification using a calibrated reference thermometer is advised for critical applications per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.5.