Zhichu ZQTY-50 Benchtop Full-Temperature Orbital Shaker Incubator

Overview

The Zhichu ZQTY-50 Benchtop Full-Temperature Orbital Shaker Incubator is an integrated platform engineered for precise, reproducible cultivation of microbial, mammalian, and suspension cell cultures under controlled temperature and orbital agitation. Utilizing a P.I.D. microprocessor-based temperature control system and a three-dimensional eccentric triple-cam drive mechanism, the unit delivers stable, low-vibration orbital motion (26 mm diameter) across a wide thermal range—from refrigerated conditions (4 °C) to elevated incubation temperatures (60 °C). Its dual-shelf design supports parallel experiments with independent load distribution, while the forced-air convection system—enhanced by silent centrifugal fans and optimized airflow channels—ensures ±1 °C temperature uniformity at 37 °C, meeting critical requirements for aerobic growth kinetics and metabolic consistency. The instrument is designed for routine use in academic labs, QC microbiology units, and bioprocess development environments where reliability, sterility assurance, and operational continuity are non-negotiable.

Key Features

• Backlit LCD interface with encrypted parameter lockout—prevents unauthorized or accidental setting changes during long-term runs
• Triple-cam eccentric drive architecture—delivers smooth, wear-resistant oscillation with minimal mechanical drift over extended operation
• UV-C germicidal lamp integrated into the chamber ceiling—enables routine decontamination between batches without chemical agents
• Intelligent defrost management—user-configurable defrost duration (1–250 s) and interval (30–600 min) prevents evaporator icing during sub-ambient operation
• Side-mounted ventilation apertures—engineered to maintain optimal O₂ exchange for aerobic cultures without compromising thermal integrity
• One-handed polymer universal clamping system—compatible with 250 mL, 500 mL, and 1 L vessels; eliminates need for tool-assisted fastening
• Auto-stop upon door opening—complies with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment
• Power-loss recovery mode with non-volatile memory—resumes pre-interruption settings post-outage, preserving experimental integrity
• Hermetic tempered glass door with stainless steel R-corner interior—facilitates visual monitoring while minimizing contamination risk and easing cleaning
• High-efficiency hermetic compressor with R134a refrigerant—enables stable 4 °C operation with acoustic output <55 dB(A) at 1 m

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZQTY-50 accommodates standard culture formats including Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 1 L), test tubes, and deep-well plates. Its dual-tier platform supports heterogeneous vessel configurations simultaneously—e.g., 16 × 250 mL flasks on stainless steel fixtures and 9 × 500 mL flasks on polymer clamps—without cross-interference. All wetted surfaces are electropolished 304 stainless steel with radius-corner construction (R ≥ 3 mm), complying with ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom-compatible surface finish standards. The unit meets EN 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety and incorporates EMI suppression via ferrite magnetic rings on power and signal lines—ensuring stable performance in shared lab infrastructure. While not certified for GMP manufacturing, its audit-ready features—including timestamped event logging, parameter change tracking, and password-protected configuration—support GLP-aligned workflows per OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller provides real-time display of setpoint, actual temperature, speed, and elapsed time. All operational events—including door openings, temperature excursions >±2 °C, defrost cycles, and alarm triggers—are logged with date/time stamps in non-volatile memory (retention >10 years). Though no external PC connectivity is built-in, the system supports manual data export via USB port (optional firmware upgrade) for CSV-formatted runtime logs. Alarm thresholds (e.g., high-temp cutoff at 65 °C, speed deviation >±5 rpm) are user-adjustable within defined safety limits. Audit trail functionality satisfies basic FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when paired with institutional SOPs governing electronic record retention.

Applications

• Microbial growth profiling (E. coli, yeast, Bacillus spp.) under varied aeration and thermal regimes
• Suspension-adapted CHO and HEK293 cell line expansion prior to transfection or bioreactor inoculation
• Enzyme activity assays requiring consistent mixing and temperature stabilization
• Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) simulation studies in environmental microbiology
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing using broth microdilution protocols
• Protein expression optimization in autoinduction media
• Phage propagation and titer standardization

FAQ

Is the ZQTY-50 suitable for CO₂-controlled applications?
Yes—the chamber design and sealing integrity support integration with external CO₂ supply systems; however, built-in CO₂ sensing and regulation require optional accessory modules.
What is the minimum operating temperature with full-speed agitation (300 rpm)?
The unit maintains stable 4 °C performance at all speeds within its 10–300 rpm range, verified per ISO 8573-1 purity class 4 airflow calibration.
Can the UV lamp be operated independently of temperature control?
Yes—UV sterilization mode is fully decoupled from thermal and shaking functions and may be activated manually at any chamber temperature.
Does the shaker support validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ templates)?
Zhichu provides factory test reports (FAT) and dimensional/mechanical compliance certificates; site-specific IQ/OQ protocols must be developed per institutional quality systems.
Are third-party flask clamps compatible with the ZQTY-50 platform?
Only Zhichu-certified fixtures are guaranteed to meet torque and center-of-gravity specifications; non-OEM clamps may induce imbalance or exceed motor duty cycle limits.