IKA myPlate Magnetic Stirrer

Overview

The IKA myPlate Magnetic Stirrer is a compact, CE-compliant laboratory stirrer engineered for precision mixing of aqueous and low-viscosity samples in standard glassware up to 1.5 L. It operates on the principle of rotating magnetic coupling—using a permanent magnet rotor beneath a chemically resistant tempered glass plate to drive PTFE- or glass-coated magnetic stir bars within vessels. Unlike conventional analog stirrers, the myPlate integrates digital speed control via capacitive touch keys and dual LED displays showing both setpoint and real-time rotational speed (rpm). Its design prioritizes operational safety, chemical inertness, and long-term stability under continuous use in QC labs, teaching environments, and R&D settings where reproducibility and ergonomic usability are essential.

Key Features

• Dual LED display showing both set speed and actual measured speed, enabling real-time verification of rotational consistency
• Capacitive touch-key interface with haptic feedback—eliminates mechanical wear and improves cleanability versus membrane or rotary dials
• Tempered glass working surface (Ø135 mm) offering high resistance to acids, bases, and organic solvents; non-porous and easily decontaminated
• Low thermal drift design: self-heating limited to +2 K after one hour at ambient 22 °C, minimizing sample temperature perturbation during non-heated stirring
• IP54-rated enclosure providing protection against dust ingress and water splashes from any direction—suitable for shared lab benches and humid environments
• Energy-efficient architecture: 4 W nominal input power, <1 W standby consumption, compliant with EU Ecodesign Directive 2019/2020 for laboratory equipment
• Compact footprint (152 × 30 × 164 mm) and lightweight construction (0.76 kg) optimized for space-constrained fume hoods or mobile lab carts

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IKA myPlate is validated for use with standard borosilicate glass beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, and cylindrical vessels up to 1.5 L volume. It accommodates stir bars up to 30 mm in length, supporting common geometries including cross-shaped, oval, and micro stir bars. The device meets DIN EN 60529 (IP54), IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), and RoHS 2011/65/EU directives. While not a heated model, its thermal stability profile supports applications requiring isothermal mixing per ASTM D1298 (Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products) and ISO 8502-9 (Preparation of Steel Substrates Before Application of Paints). No integrated data logging or 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—intended for manual operation in non-GxP workflows unless paired with external validated systems.

Software & Data Management

The IKA myPlate operates as a standalone instrument without embedded firmware-based software, cloud connectivity, or USB/RS232 interfaces. All parameter adjustments—including speed selection and on/off actuation—are executed locally via the front-panel touch keys. Speed values are retained across power cycles but not timestamped or exportable. For laboratories requiring audit trails, integration into electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) must be performed manually or through third-party hardware interfaces (e.g., relay-controlled power switches with external logging). No proprietary drivers or configuration utilities are provided; no firmware updates are issued post-manufacture. This architecture aligns with IKA’s design philosophy for entry-level instrumentation: deterministic behavior, minimal attack surface, and zero dependency on operating system compatibility.

Applications

• Routine dissolution testing of pharmaceutical excipients in buffer solutions (USP & Ph. Eur. general chapter <711>)
• Homogenization of calibration standards for UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ICP-OES sample preparation
• Buffer equilibration in chromatography mobile phase preparation (HPLC, IC)
• Cell culture media mixing prior to sterile filtration, where minimal shear and temperature neutrality are critical
• Teaching labs: demonstration of laminar flow dynamics, viscosity estimation via stir bar synchronization, and basic process control principles
• QC release testing of liquid reagents, diluents, and cleaning solutions per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.2.2 (Method Validation)

FAQ

Does the IKA myPlate support heating functionality?
No. The myPlate is a non-heated magnetic stirrer. It features passive thermal stability (+2 K maximum self-heating), but lacks integrated heating elements or temperature sensors.
Can it be used with stainless steel or ceramic-coated stir bars?
It is optimized for PTFE- or glass-coated magnetic stir bars. Stainless steel stir bars may cause localized eddy current heating and are not recommended.
Is the photo-personalization feature compatible with laboratory safety protocols?
Yes—the supplied blank photo papers are printed externally; the printed disc is inserted into a sealed frame beneath the glass plate, ensuring no surface contamination or interference with cleaning procedures.
What is the expected service life under continuous operation?
Based on IKA’s accelerated lifetime testing (IEC 60068-2-64), the brushless DC motor and glass plate assembly maintain functional integrity for ≥20,000 hours at 1500 rpm, assuming ambient conditions within specified limits.
Does the device meet GLP requirements for traceability?
No. It does not provide electronic records, user authentication, or audit trail generation. For GLP environments, manual logbook entries referencing batch numbers, operator IDs, and time stamps are required.