Zhichu ZQTY-90 Benchtop Full-Temperature Orbital Shaker Incubator

Overview

The Zhichu ZQTY-90 Benchtop Full-Temperature Orbital Shaker Incubator is an integrated life science platform engineered for precise temperature-controlled shaking of biological and microbiological samples under controlled environmental conditions. It combines orbital agitation with active refrigeration and heating in a single compact benchtop unit—enabling applications ranging from bacterial culture expansion and yeast fermentation to mammalian cell suspension maintenance and enzyme kinetics studies. The system operates on the principle of eccentric orbital motion (Ø26 mm orbit), driven by a high-torque servo motor and three-dimensional offset triple-crank mechanism to ensure mechanical stability, low vibration transmission, and long-term operational reproducibility. Its full-temperature range—from 4 °C (refrigerated) to 60 °C (incubative)—is maintained via a hermetically sealed, fluorine-free compressor and PID-regulated dual-mode thermal system, delivering ±0.1 °C setpoint accuracy and ±1 °C uniformity at 37 °C across all three independently accessible platforms.

Key Features

• Triple-platform design with independent access and identical thermal/shaking performance per deck—ideal for parallel experimental conditions or multi-step protocols.
• Offset triple-crank drive architecture ensures smooth, low-noise operation (<55 dB[A]) and mechanical longevity, even at maximum frequency (400 rpm) and extended runtime.
• Intelligent PID temperature control with forced-air convection and silent centrifugal fans guarantees rapid thermal equilibration and minimal gradient deviation across chamber volume.
• LCD touchscreen interface displays real-time and setpoint values for temperature, speed, and remaining time simultaneously—no mode switching required; includes user-level password lock to prevent unintended parameter changes.
• Comprehensive safety suite: over-temperature alarm with automatic cut-off, power-failure recovery with resume function, lid-open stop, UV sterilization cycle (254 nm), and EMI-suppressing ferrite magnetic rings.
• Dedicated defrost management: programmable defrost duration (1–250 s) and interval (30–600 min) prevents evaporator icing during prolonged low-temperature operation.
• Optimized gas exchange: strategically placed lateral ventilation apertures maintain O₂ availability for aerobic cultures without compromising thermal integrity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZQTY-90 accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including Erlenmeyer flasks (250–5000 mL), test tubes, and deep-well plates—via its universal one-piece molded polymer clamps, designed for single-hand loading/unloading and secure retention at high speeds. Stainless-steel interior surfaces (mirror-finish 304 grade) resist corrosion from repeated exposure to humid, acidic, or basic media. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and meets EMC requirements per CISPR 11 Group 1, Class B. While not certified for ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its data logging architecture—including timestamped, non-editable temperature/speed records stored internally for up to 90 days—supports GLP-compliant documentation when paired with validated export procedures.

Software & Data Management

Internal firmware logs temperature and rotational speed at 1-minute intervals, generating time-series datasets that can be visualized as overlay plots (temperature vs. speed curves) directly on the touchscreen. All recorded data—including start/stop timestamps, setpoints, and alarms—are exportable via USB 2.0 port in CSV format for post-acquisition analysis in Excel, MATLAB, or LIMS environments. No proprietary software installation is required. The system supports user-defined rotation direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) per platform—a feature critical for optimizing oxygen transfer in viscous or shear-sensitive cultures. Audit trails are retained in volatile memory and persist through power cycles, provided backup power is maintained during interruptions.

Applications

• Bacterial and fungal cultivation requiring simultaneous temperature control and aeration (e.g., E. coli, S. cerevisiae, A. niger)
• Mammalian cell suspension expansion in serum-free or low-serum media
• Enzyme activity assays under defined thermal and mixing conditions
• Protein expression optimization using autoinduction media
• Bioremediation studies involving mixed microbial consortia
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing with dynamic growth monitoring
• Seed stock preparation and cryopreservation pre-conditioning

FAQ

What is the minimum operating temperature, and how is sub-ambient cooling achieved?
The unit achieves a stable 4 °C using a sealed R600a refrigerant system coupled with PID-regulated evaporator duty cycling and programmable defrost logic.
Can the shaker run unattended for multiple days?
Yes—the 999.9-hour timer, power-loss recovery, and internal data logging enable continuous operation for up to 41 days without manual intervention.
Is the UV lamp intensity calibrated or validated?
The 254 nm germicidal lamp is factory-installed and intended for routine surface decontamination between runs; users should perform periodic biological indicator validation if required for SOP compliance.
Are third-party clamps compatible with the ZQTY-90 platform?
Only Zhichu-certified fixtures are guaranteed to meet mechanical resonance and load-distribution specifications; non-OEM clamps may compromise speed accuracy or cause premature bearing wear.
Does the system support remote monitoring or network connectivity?
No Ethernet or Wi-Fi interface is built-in; however, exported CSV files can be ingested into centralized lab monitoring systems via automated file-transfer workflows.