IKA ab dancer Compact Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA ab dancer is a compact, precision-engineered orbital shaker designed for consistent, low-volume sample agitation in research and quality control laboratories. Operating on the principle of circular orbital motion with a fixed 4.5 mm orbit diameter, it delivers uniform mixing energy to small-diameter vessels—including standard test tubes, microcentrifuge tubes, and PCR strips—without inducing vortexing or splashing. Its fixed-speed architecture (2800 rpm) eliminates variability associated with speed ramping or calibration drift, making it ideal for standardized protocols where repeatability—not tunability—is paramount. Engineered in Germany and built to IKA’s long-standing mechanical reliability standards, the ab dancer features a robust zinc-plated cast iron base for vibration damping and structural stability, paired with a reinforced polypropylene housing and oscillation plate resistant to common laboratory solvents and cleaning agents. The device complies with IEC/EN 61000 electromagnetic compatibility requirements and meets safety standards per IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment.

Key Features

• Fixed-speed operation at 2800 rpm ensures protocol consistency across users and shifts—no speed calibration required.
• Compact footprint (100 × 70 × 100 mm) and lightweight design (0.776 kg) enable seamless integration into biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, and crowded benchtop environments.
• Orbital motion with 4.5 mm orbit diameter optimized for efficient mixing of samples in vessels up to 30 mm in diameter—ideal for Eppendorf-style tubes, 15 mL conical tubes, and multi-well strip formats.
• Dedicated point-operation (‘pulse’) function allows manual initiation of short-duration agitation cycles without timer dependency—critical for endpoint mixing prior to centrifugation or analysis.
• IP40-rated enclosure provides protection against solid objects ≥1 mm and limited ingress of vertically falling water droplets, supporting use in non-condensing ambient lab conditions (5–40 °C, ≤80 % RH).
• Zinc-plated cast iron base enhances mass inertia and dampens transmission of operational vibrations to adjacent instruments or sensitive balances.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ab dancer accommodates standard cylindrical containers with outer diameters ≤30 mm, including 0.2–15 mL tubes, glass vials, and PCR strip carriers. It is not intended for flasks, bottles, or high-viscosity suspensions exceeding 0.1 kg total load (including fixture and sample). The device conforms to key international laboratory equipment standards: EN 61010-1 (safety), EN 61326-1 (EMC), and DIN EN 60529 (IP40 ingress protection). While not a temperature-controlled incubator shaker, its specified operating ambient range (5–40 °C) supports use in refrigerated workspaces and ambient lab settings. No regulatory certification (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11, ISO 17025) applies, as it is a non-data-generating mechanical agitator; however, its mechanical consistency supports GLP-aligned workflows when documented within lab-specific SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The IKA ab dancer operates as a standalone analog device with no embedded microprocessor, display, or digital interface. Consequently, it generates no electronic records, audit trails, or time-stamped event logs. This architecture eliminates firmware validation requirements and aligns with minimal-compliance laboratory environments where electronic data integrity controls are not mandated for auxiliary mixing steps. Users relying on 21 CFR Part 11–compliant workflows may integrate the ab dancer into validated processes by documenting its use within paper-based or LIMS-linked procedural records—e.g., “ab dancer (S/N XXXX) operated for 30 s immediately prior to centrifugation step per SOP-QC-087.”

Applications

• Resuspension of lyophilized reagents and cell pellets in low-volume tubes.
• Homogenization of immunoassay reagents prior to pipetting into ELISA plates.
• Equilibration of enzyme-substrate mixtures in kinetic assay prep.
• Pre-centrifugation mixing of blood samples in EDTA tubes to prevent clot formation.
• Agitation of calibration standards during analytical instrument setup (e.g., HPLC, GC autosampler vials).
• Routine maintenance of bacterial cultures in microtiter formats during growth-phase monitoring.

FAQ

Is the ab dancer suitable for use inside a cold room at 4 °C?
No—the minimum specified operating ambient temperature is 5 °C. Prolonged exposure below this threshold may affect motor lubrication and plastic component flexibility.
Can I mount custom fixtures or adapters on the oscillation plate?
Yes, provided total loaded mass remains ≤0.1 kg and fixture geometry maintains center-of-gravity alignment over the drive shaft. IKA does not supply or validate third-party fixtures.
Does the unit include speed calibration documentation?
No—speed is factory-set and non-adjustable; calibration certificates are not provided, as the device lacks speed feedback circuitry or user-accessible adjustment.
What power supply is included?
A universal-input (100–240 V AC) switching power adapter delivering 12 V DC is supplied; no additional transformer is required.
Is the ab dancer compatible with autoclaving or alcohol wiping?
The oscillation plate and housing may be wiped with 70 % ethanol or isopropanol; autoclaving, steam sterilization, or immersion cleaning is strictly prohibited.