IKA Lab Dancer Circular Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA Lab Dancer is a compact, entry-level circular orbital shaker engineered for routine mixing of small-volume samples in standard laboratory tubes. It operates on the principle of controlled circular orbital motion—generating consistent, low-shear agitation through a fixed 4.5 mm orbit diameter at a fixed speed of 2800 rpm. Unlike variable-speed vortex mixers that rely on eccentric rotation and high-torque impaction, the Lab Dancer delivers gentle yet effective homogenization ideal for re-suspension of pellets, dissolution of lyophilized reagents, or uniform mixing of viscous or particulate-containing solutions in microcentrifuge tubes (e.g., Eppendorf®), standard test tubes, and PCR tubes up to 30 mm in outer diameter. Its design prioritizes mechanical simplicity, electrical safety, and chemical compatibility—making it suitable for use in general chemistry, molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and quality control labs where reproducible, hands-free tube agitation is required without the need for programmability or data logging.

Key Features

• Fixed-speed circular orbital motion at 2800 rpm ensures consistent energy input across repeated operations, supporting method standardization in non-regulated workflows.
• Compact footprint (100 × 70 × 100 mm) and lightweight construction (0.55 kg) enable flexible placement on crowded benchtops, biosafety cabinets, or cold rooms within the 5–40 °C operating range.
• Chemical-resistant plastic housing and tube platform resist degradation from common solvents, dilute acids, and buffers—complementing routine lab cleaning protocols.
• Zinc alloy base with protective coating provides stable, vibration-dampened operation even during extended continuous duty cycles (100% duty rating).
• Touch-start (point activation) mode allows momentary agitation without latching—ideal for quick checks or intermittent mixing tasks—while eliminating unintended run-on during glove use or workflow transitions.
• Integrated 12 V DC power supply eliminates reliance on mains voltage at the point of use, enhancing electrical safety in wet or humid environments (IP40-rated enclosure).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Lab Dancer accommodates tubes with outer diameters up to 30 mm, including 0.2 mL, 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, and 2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes, standard 12 × 75 mm and 13 × 100 mm test tubes, and conical bottom tubes commonly used in sample preparation workflows. It is not designed for microtiter plates, flasks, or bottles exceeding its mechanical load limit of 0.1 kg (including tube + holder + contents). The device complies with IEC/EN 61000-6-3 (EMC emission standards) and IEC/EN 61000-6-2 (immunity), and meets the mechanical safety requirements of EN 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment. Its IP40 ingress protection class confirms resistance to solid objects ≥1 mm but no water resistance—thus it must be operated in dry, well-ventilated indoor environments per manufacturer specifications.

Software & Data Management

The IKA Lab Dancer is a standalone analog instrument with no embedded microcontroller, display interface, or digital connectivity. As such, it does not support software integration, remote control, audit trails, or electronic record generation. This architecture aligns with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.7.1 for equipment used in non-critical applications where manual operation and visual verification are sufficient. Laboratories operating under GLP or GMP frameworks may deploy the Lab Dancer for preparatory steps outside of regulated analytical sequences—e.g., pre-assay tube mixing—provided procedural documentation defines operational parameters (e.g., “touch-activate for 5 seconds per tube”) and includes periodic functional verification (e.g., visual confirmation of orbital motion and absence of abnormal noise or drift).

Applications

• Re-suspension of cell pellets after centrifugation in molecular biology workflows.
• Mixing of enzyme reactions, antibody dilutions, or DNA binding buffers prior to electrophoresis or qPCR setup.
• Homogenization of soil or tissue extracts in environmental and agricultural testing labs.
• Standardizing sample presentation for spectrophotometric or fluorometric assays requiring uniform turbidity.
• Pre-analytical preparation in clinical labs—including hematology controls and urinalysis reagent mixing—where regulatory traceability is not mandated for the mixing step itself.

FAQ

Does the Lab Dancer support variable speed control?
No. It operates exclusively at a fixed rotational speed of 2800 rpm.
Can it accommodate 96-well microplates?
No. The Lab Dancer lacks a plate holder and is mechanically unsuited for microplate agitation.
Is the unit compatible with battery operation?
No. It requires the supplied 12 V DC power adapter connected to standard AC mains (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz).
What maintenance is required?
No scheduled maintenance is specified. Wipe the housing and platform with isopropyl alcohol or 70% ethanol after contact with contaminants; avoid abrasive cleaners.
Does it meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements?
No. As a non-programmable, non-data-generating device, it falls outside the scope of electronic record and signature regulations.