ZiQi IMS-100 Flake Ice Machine
| Brand | ZiQi |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | IMS-100 |
| Daily Ice Production | 100 kg/24 h |
| Ice Storage Capacity | 40 kg |
| Water Consumption | ≤4.1 L/h |
| Cooling Method | Air-Cooled |
| Ice Making Method | Dual-Spiral Extrusion |
| Product Type | Laboratory-Grade Flake Ice Machine |
Overview
The ZiQi IMS-100 Flake Ice Machine is an engineered solution for precise, continuous, and contamination-controlled ice generation in scientific laboratories, clinical research facilities, and quality control environments. Unlike conventional cubed or tube ice systems, the IMS-100 employs a dual-spiral extrusion principle—where chilled refrigerant circulates through a vertically oriented, finned evaporator drum; water is evenly distributed across its surface, freezes into a thin film, and is continuously scraped off by counter-rotating stainless-steel augers. This mechanical shearing action produces irregular, sub-millimeter flake ice with high surface-area-to-volume ratio, enabling rapid thermal transfer and uniform cooling in sample preparation, enzymatic assays, electrophoresis, and cold-chain validation protocols. Designed specifically for ambient-lab operation (10–32°C), the unit integrates air-cooled condensation, eliminating dependency on external water-cooling infrastructure while maintaining stable output under variable load conditions.
Key Features
- Full stainless-steel 304 enclosure and internal components—resistant to corrosion, compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom-compatible surface finish requirements.
- Zero-residue water management system: float-controlled inlet valve ensures complete drainage between cycles; no standing water remains in the reservoir, minimizing microbial growth risk and eliminating manual defrosting.
- High-efficiency air-cooled condenser with integrated axial fan and optimized fin spacing—engineered for sustained performance at ambient temperatures up to 32°C without derating.
- Microprocessor-based control board with industrial-grade EEPROM memory—supports auto-restart after power interruption, retains operational history, and enables firmware-upgradable logic.
- Dual-spiral extrusion evaporator with hardened alloy ice-cutting blades—optimized blade geometry ensures consistent flake size distribution (median particle diameter: 1.2–2.0 mm) and minimizes mechanical wear.
- Real-time digital display with status-coded indicators: ice-full detection (optical sensor), low-water alarm (ultrasonic level monitoring), compressor fault logging (pressure/temperature threshold tracking), and run-time counter.
- Acoustically damped compressor mounting and vibration-isolated drive train—operates at ≤58 dB(A) at 1 m distance, suitable for shared laboratory spaces requiring low-noise compliance per ANSI S12.2-2020.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The IMS-100 generates non-porous, low-moisture-content flake ice ideal for direct contact with biological specimens, reagents, and temperature-sensitive instrumentation. Its ice morphology supports rapid equilibration in ice baths (e.g., PCR setup, centrifuge pre-chilling, histology tissue embedding), cryopreservation workflows, and calibration of thermocouples and RTDs. All wetted surfaces meet USP material compatibility standards for pharmaceutical use. Electrical safety conforms to IEC 61010-1:2010 (Ed. 3) for laboratory equipment. The unit carries CE marking under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and EMC Directive (2014/30/EU). Optional documentation packages support GLP/GMP audit readiness, including factory calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards and IQ/OQ templates aligned with ASTM E2500-13.
Software & Data Management
While the IMS-100 operates as a standalone appliance, its embedded controller logs operational parameters—including cumulative runtime, compressor on/off cycles, ice-full events, and fault codes—with timestamped entries stored in non-volatile memory (retention >10 years). A serial RS-232 interface (optional USB-to-serial adapter) enables integration with lab information management systems (LIMS) or building automation platforms via Modbus RTU protocol. Audit trail functionality satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated third-party data acquisition software. No cloud connectivity or proprietary cloud services are implemented—ensuring full data sovereignty and alignment with institutional cybersecurity policies.
Applications
- Preparation of temperature-stabilized reaction mixtures in molecular biology labs (e.g., restriction digests, ligations, cDNA synthesis).
- Cooling of HPLC autosampler trays, GC injectors, and mass spectrometer source blocks during extended analytical runs.
- Controlled hypothermia simulation in pharmacology and toxicology studies requiring reproducible thermal gradients.
- Storage buffer pre-chilling prior to cell lysis or protein purification to minimize protease activity.
- Validation of cold storage units and transport containers using ASTM F2697-22 ice-load testing methodology.
- Supporting ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration labs where traceable, repeatable cooling media are required for thermometer and probe verification.
FAQ
What is the typical flake ice particle size produced by the IMS-100?
The dual-spiral extrusion process yields irregular flakes with median thickness of 0.8–1.5 mm and lateral dimensions ranging from 2–6 mm—optimized for interstitial packing and rapid heat absorption.
Does the IMS-100 require a dedicated water filtration system?
Yes. Feed water must meet ASTM D1193 Type IV purity specifications (conductivity ≤5 µS/cm); installation of a point-of-use reverse osmosis + deionization unit is strongly recommended to prevent scale formation on the evaporator surface.
Can the IMS-100 operate continuously for 24/7 duty cycles?
It is rated for uninterrupted operation under standard laboratory ambient conditions (20–25°C, 40–60% RH) with scheduled maintenance every 6 months per the manufacturer’s service manual.
Is the ice output suitable for human consumption?
No. The IMS-100 is designed exclusively for laboratory and industrial technical applications—not for food or beverage use—and does not comply with NSF/ANSI 12-2022 potable ice machine requirements.
How is ice level monitored inside the storage bin?
An infrared reflective sensor array detects ice surface height with ±5 mm accuracy; the system triggers automatic shutdown when the bin reaches 95% capacity to prevent compaction and mechanical overload.
