CZGY THZ-82A Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker

Overview

The CZGY THZ-82A Air-Bath Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaker is an integrated laboratory instrument engineered for precise temperature-controlled agitation of biological and biochemical samples. It combines a forced-air convection heating system with a mechanically balanced orbital drive mechanism to deliver uniform thermal distribution and consistent rotational motion across the entire platform. Unlike water-bath shakers, the air-bath design eliminates fluid contamination risks and simplifies maintenance while maintaining stable temperature regulation within ±1 °C across its operating range (ambient to 50 °C). The unit operates on standard 220 V / 50 Hz mains power and incorporates a 500 W heating element optimized for rapid thermal equilibration and minimal drift during extended incubation cycles. Its orbital motion—characterized by a 20 mm diameter circular trajectory—promotes efficient oxygen transfer and homogeneous suspension of microbial cultures, cell suspensions, and enzymatic reaction mixtures without shear-induced damage common in reciprocating or vortex systems.

Key Features

• Orbital motion drive with digitally displayed speed control (0–300 rpm), enabling fine-tuned optimization of mixing intensity for sensitive cell lines or viscous media.
• Forced-air heating architecture with PID-assisted temperature regulation, ensuring uniform cavity temperature and minimizing vertical/horizontal gradients.
• Stainless steel inner chamber and corrosion-resistant platform surface, compliant with routine laboratory cleaning protocols and compatible with alcohol-based disinfectants and mild alkaline solutions.
• Spring-loaded universal bottle rack system designed to accommodate heterogeneous vessel configurations—including 24 × 100 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, 15 × 200 mL bottles, or up to 30 standard Φ16 × 300 mm test tubes—without auxiliary clamps or adapters.
• Mechanical timer with 0–120 minute range and continuous operation (“ON”) mode, supporting both short-term kinetic assays and overnight culture propagation.
• Dedicated air inlet vents with passive flow optimization to enhance O₂ exchange in sealed vessels, critical for aerobic microbial growth and metabolic studies.
• Stable base design with non-slip rubber feet; recommended for use on matte-finish lab benches (not highly polished or tiled surfaces) to prevent lateral displacement at higher speeds.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The THZ-82A supports a broad spectrum of life science applications involving liquid-phase biological samples, including bacterial and yeast culture expansion, mammalian cell passaging, enzyme kinetics, solubility testing, and antigen-antibody binding assays. Its orbital motion profile meets typical requirements for ISO 8570-compliant suspension homogenization and aligns with common practices outlined in USP for microbiological assay preparation. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 or CE for export markets without additional conformity assessment, the device adheres to fundamental electrical safety principles—including grounded chassis construction, thermal cutoff protection, and current-limited heating circuitry. Users deploying the instrument in GLP or GMP environments should implement supplementary operational qualification (OQ) protocols, particularly for temperature uniformity mapping and speed calibration verification per ASTM E2500-13 guidelines.

Software & Data Management

The THZ-82A operates as a standalone analog-digital hybrid instrument with no embedded microprocessor or data logging capability. All parameter inputs—temperature setpoint, oscillation speed, and timer duration—are adjusted via front-panel rotary controls with mechanical dials and LED-assisted digital readouts for rpm and minutes. This architecture prioritizes operational robustness and electromagnetic interference (EMI) resilience in shared instrumentation labs. For laboratories requiring audit-trail functionality or remote monitoring, integration with external environmental data loggers (e.g., compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 via validated third-party hardware) is feasible using the unit’s analog output interface (available upon request with optional retrofit kit). Routine preventive maintenance—such as fan filter inspection every 6 months and platform bearing lubrication annually—is documented in the included English-language service manual.

Applications

• Aerobic cultivation of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and other mesophilic bacteria under controlled thermal and agitation conditions.
• Preparation of competent cells and plasmid transformation mixes requiring gentle, uniform resuspension.
• Standardization of inoculum density for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) per CLSI M07-A11 protocols.
• Extraction optimization for plant metabolites or protein-bound ligands where temperature-dependent solubility and mixing efficiency are interdependent variables.
• Cell line maintenance workflows involving low-passage suspension cultures, including CHO and Sf9 insect cells.
• Environmental microbiology sample enrichment, such as coliform detection in water matrices per ISO 9308-1.

FAQ

What is the difference between orbital and reciprocating motion in shakers?
Orbital motion produces a smooth, circular trajectory ideal for growing aerobic cultures with high oxygen demand, whereas reciprocating motion generates linear back-and-forth movement better suited for particle resuspension or tissue homogenization.
Can the THZ-82A be used for cell culture in CO₂ incubators?
No—the unit lacks CO₂ regulation, humidity control, or sealed chamber design; it is intended for ambient-air applications only.
Is the platform compatible with microplate carriers?
Yes, when equipped with optional universal microplate holders (CZGY part #MPH-THZ), supporting 96-well and 24-well formats for high-throughput assay setup.
What maintenance is required to ensure long-term accuracy?
Biannual verification of temperature uniformity across the platform using calibrated NIST-traceable thermocouples and annual inspection of drive belt tension and fan airflow integrity.
Does the shaker support programmable ramping or multi-step protocols?
No—parameter changes require manual adjustment during operation; it does not feature programmable sequences or event-triggered actions.