GLTlab SHA-5N Five-Position Heated Magnetic Stirrer

Overview

The GLTlab SHA-5N Five-Position Heated Magnetic Stirrer is an engineered laboratory platform designed for parallel sample processing under controlled thermal and mechanical conditions. Utilizing contactless magnetic coupling—where a rotating permanent magnet beneath the ceramic-coated aluminum plate induces synchronous rotation of PTFE- or glass-coated stir bars within vessels—the instrument delivers precise, low-vibration agitation across five independent positions. Each station operates with independent speed and temperature control, enabling reproducible mixing and heating of up to five 1 L samples simultaneously. The unit’s brushless DC motor ensures long-term operational stability, minimal electromagnetic interference, and maintenance-free performance over extended duty cycles. Its compact footprint (645 × 145 × 84 mm), stainless steel housing, and chemically resistant ceramic surface support integration into regulated environments including QC labs, pharmaceutical development suites, and academic research facilities where consistent thermal-mechanical treatment of reagents, buffers, or reaction mixtures is required.

Key Features

• Five independently controllable stirring/heating stations with dual LED digital display for real-time monitoring of both speed (100–2000 rpm, 1-rpm resolution) and temperature (ambient to 120 °C)
• Ceramic-coated aluminum heating plate (495 × 130 mm) offering uniform thermal distribution, high chemical resistance, and rapid heat-up (~5 °C/min) with overtemperature protection
• Brushless DC motor architecture delivering quiet operation, zero carbon dust generation, and extended service life compared to brushed alternatives
• Stainless steel chassis with IP42 ingress protection—suitable for general laboratory use with moderate humidity exposure (≤80% RH) and ambient temperatures between 5–40 °C
• Configurable power input (110/115/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz) for global deployment without hardware modification
• Standardized stir bar compatibility (25–35 mm length) supporting common laboratory vessel geometries including beakers, flasks, and jacketed reactors

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SHA-5N accommodates standard borosilicate glass and polypropylene containers up to 1 L volume per position. Its non-porous ceramic surface resists corrosion from organic solvents, dilute acids, and basic solutions—enabling safe handling of common reagents in synthesis, dissolution testing, and buffer preparation workflows. While not certified to ISO/IEC 17025 or ASTM E2912 as a standalone analytical device, the instrument’s design aligns with general Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements for equipment qualification: stable setpoint accuracy, traceable digital readouts, and physical robustness suitable for IQ/OQ documentation. It supports temperature and speed logging via optional RS232 or USB interface (not included), facilitating alignment with internal SOPs requiring audit-ready operational records.

Software & Data Management

The SHA-5N operates as a stand-alone analog-digital hybrid controller with no embedded firmware or proprietary software dependency. All parameters are adjusted manually via front-panel rotary encoders and confirmed on the dual LED display. For laboratories requiring electronic data capture, third-party serial communication modules (e.g., USB-to-RS232 adapters) may be integrated to log timestamped speed and temperature values into CSV-compatible platforms such as LabArchives, ELN systems, or custom Python-based acquisition scripts. No FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance features (e.g., electronic signatures, audit trails) are natively implemented; however, the device’s deterministic behavior and absence of volatile memory make it compatible with externally validated data acquisition frameworks meeting GxP documentation standards.

Applications

• Parallel dissolution testing of solid dosage forms under USP and conditions
• Buffer and media preparation in bioprocessing and cell culture workflows
• Controlled heating and mixing during polymerization, crystallization, or catalyst activation studies
• Extraction protocols requiring elevated temperature and continuous agitation (e.g., Soxhlet pre-concentration, solid-phase extraction conditioning)
• Calibration and verification of temperature-sensitive probes using multi-point thermal equilibration
• Teaching laboratories conducting kinetics experiments or comparative reaction rate analysis

FAQ

Is the SHA-5N compatible with corrosive solvents such as concentrated HCl or acetone?
Yes—the ceramic-coated aluminum plate and stainless steel housing provide broad resistance to common laboratory chemicals; however, prolonged exposure to strong oxidizers (e.g., hot nitric acid) or hydrofluoric acid is not recommended.
Can individual stations be operated at different temperatures and speeds simultaneously?
Yes—each of the five positions features fully independent PID-controlled heating and motor drive circuits, allowing heterogeneous experimental conditions across the same platform.
What safety mechanisms prevent overheating or motor stall damage?
Integrated thermal cutoff sensors deactivate heating elements upon reaching 130 °C, and motor current limiting prevents torque overload during high-viscosity mixing.
Does the unit include stir bars or vessel stands?
No—stir bars and support accessories are sold separately to allow user selection based on application-specific viscosity, geometry, and chemical compatibility requirements.
Is calibration documentation provided with shipment?
A factory-verified performance test report (covering speed accuracy ±2% FS and temperature uniformity ±3 °C across the plate surface) is included; full metrological calibration per ISO/IEC 17025 requires external service.