MKN BS-2F Digital Shaking Incubator

Overview

The MKN BS-2F Digital Shaking Incubator is an engineered platform for simultaneous temperature-controlled incubation and orbital shaking—designed to support aerobic microbial growth, cell suspension culture, enzyme assays, solubility studies, and biochemical reaction kinetics under precisely regulated environmental conditions. Its operational principle integrates Peltier-assisted or resistive heating (no active cooling) with a balanced eccentric drive mechanism to generate consistent orbital motion, enabling uniform oxygen transfer and suspension homogeneity across flasks, tubes, and multi-well plates. The unit features a double-layered insulated chamber with polyurethane foam (≥50 mm thickness), tempered double-glazed front door for visual monitoring without thermal disturbance, and a stainless-steel interior (AISI 304) resistant to corrosion from repeated sterilization cycles and organic solvent exposure. Air circulation is actively managed via a brushless DC fan system, ensuring ≤0.8 °C spatial temperature deviation across the working volume (measured per ISO 15189 Annex A.3 protocols).

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based PID temperature controller with real-time digital display (0.1 °C resolution) and programmable ramp-hold profiles
• Orbital shaking mechanism with adjustable speed (40–260 rpm, ±2 rpm repeatability) and fixed 20 mm amplitude—certified for continuous operation at rated load (25 kg distributed over two tiers)
• Two-tier stainless-steel shelving (470 × 370 mm each) with non-slip silicone-coated surfaces; compatible with standard Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L), test tubes, and microtiter plates
• Integrated 999-minute mechanical/electronic timer with auto-shutdown and alarm notification upon cycle completion or fault detection (over-temperature, motor stall, door open)
• Front-accessible air inlet/outlet ducts with washable particulate filter; optional UV germicidal lamp (254 nm, 15 W) available for GMP-aligned decontamination cycles
• Compliance-ready design: meets IEC 61010-1 safety requirements for laboratory equipment; electrical grounding and insulation resistance tested per EN 61326-1 for EMC immunity

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BS-2F accommodates common life science sample formats including glass and PETG culture vessels (50 mL–2 L), centrifuge tubes (15–50 mL), and 96-well plates—provided total mass does not exceed 25 kg per tier. Vessel clamping is achieved via universal spring-loaded platforms or optional flask holders (MKN part #SH-B2F-CLAMP). All materials in contact with samples comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. While the unit itself does not include refrigeration, its 5–50 °C operating range satisfies most mesophilic bacterial, yeast, and mammalian suspension culture protocols (e.g., E. coli BL21(DE3) expression, CHO-K1 passaging, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation). It supports GLP documentation workflows through optional RS-232/USB data logging (MKN DataLog Pro v2.1), generating timestamped CSV files traceable to NIST-traceable calibration records.

Software & Data Management

The BS-2F operates autonomously via its embedded control panel but supports external monitoring and audit trail generation through optional connectivity modules. When equipped with the MKN USB Interface Kit (sold separately), users can export temperature and speed logs at user-defined intervals (1 s–60 min), synchronize timestamps with Windows domain controllers, and generate PDF reports compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—including electronic signatures, operator ID tagging, and immutable event history (start/stop, parameter changes, alarms). Firmware updates are performed via FAT32-formatted USB drives; no cloud dependency or vendor-hosted infrastructure is required—ensuring full data sovereignty for academic and regulated environments.

Applications

• Microbial cultivation for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) per CLSI M07-A10 guidelines
• Recombinant protein expression in E. coli using autoinduction media under controlled aeration
• Cell line expansion for bioprocess development (e.g., transient transfection efficiency optimization)
• Environmental microbiology: BOD5 incubation, coliform enrichment, and soil respiration assays
• Pharmaceutical QC: dissolution profile comparison of solid dosage forms under agitated aqueous conditions
• Plant tissue culture: callus proliferation and secondary metabolite extraction kinetics

FAQ

Does the BS-2F support refrigerated operation?
No. The unit provides only heating functionality (5–50 °C); ambient temperature serves as the lower limit. For sub-ambient applications, consider MKN’s dual-zone BS-2F-C model (−10 to 60 °C) with cascade refrigeration.
Can I retrofit a CO₂ sensor or humidity module?
Not natively. The BS-2F lacks internal ports or firmware support for gas/humidity feedback loops. For CO₂-controlled suspension culture, MKN recommends the separate BC-2F CO₂ Incubator Series.
What is the calibration interval recommendation?
Annual verification against NIST-traceable RTD probes is advised. MKN provides certified calibration certificates (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab) upon request.
Is the shaking motion truly orbital, or is it eccentric rotation?
It employs a true orbital motion (360° circular path, 20 mm diameter) driven by a precision-machined camshaft—distinct from reciprocating or elliptical agitation—ensuring laminar fluid dynamics essential for shear-sensitive cells.
How is airflow validated inside the chamber?
Air velocity mapping is conducted per ISO 14644-3 Annex B during factory acceptance testing; mean face velocity at shelf level is ≥0.15 m/s with coefficient of variation ≤12% across all measurement points.