DRETOP XC2-35R Stackable Refrigerated Incubator Shaker

Overview

The DRETOP XC2-35R Stackable Refrigerated Incubator Shaker is an engineered platform for simultaneous temperature-controlled incubation and orbital shaking—designed to meet the rigorous demands of microbial cultivation, cell suspension culture, enzyme kinetics, protein expression, and molecular hybridization protocols. Operating on a precision-controlled orbital motion principle (26 mm diameter circular throw), the unit maintains stable thermal environments across its dual-tier chamber while delivering consistent mechanical agitation. Its integrated refrigeration system—based on a hermetic compressor and PID-regulated evaporator circuit—enables sub-ambient operation down to 4 °C, extending utility beyond standard incubation into cold-adapted fermentation, low-temperature enzymatic assays, and thermosensitive bioprocess development. The device complies with fundamental safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements per IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61000-6-2, and its structural design adheres to laboratory equipment ergonomics standards defined in ISO 15223-1.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based PID temperature and speed controller with full-color capacitive touchscreen interface, supporting real-time display of setpoint/actual values for temperature (°C), rotational speed (rpm), and elapsed time (hh:mm:ss).
• Brushless DC motor drive with closed-loop tachometric feedback ensures torque stability across the full 30–300 rpm range, eliminating carbon wear, electrical noise, and maintenance intervals.
• Independent dual-layer control architecture: each shelf operates with separate temperature setpoints, speed profiles, and direction modes (forward/reverse/alternating), enabling parallel experiments under divergent conditions.
• Refrigeration module with auto-defrost cycle, adaptive condensate management, and ambient-compensated cooling capacity—capable of sustaining 4 °C at 30 °C ambient with ≤65% RH.
• Stainless steel inner chamber (AISI 304) and powder-coated steel exterior; tempered glass front panel with integrated LED illumination for non-invasive visual monitoring without thermal or vibrational disturbance.
• Comprehensive safety suite: over-temperature cutoff (hardware-independent thermal fuse), overspeed shutdown, timed auto-stop, power-fail recovery with parameter retention, and user-accessible calibration offsets for temperature and speed.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The XC2-35R accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including Erlenmeyer flasks (250–3000 mL), baffled bottles, multi-well plates (with optional adapter), and custom bioreactor sleeves—on its 520 × 420 mm stainless steel trays. Load distribution supports up to 15 kg per layer with ≤5% amplitude deviation across full payload. The unit satisfies general-purpose biosafety containment expectations for BSL-1 and BSL-2 workflows when used with sealed vessels. While not certified to ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, its audit-ready operational logs (timestamped temperature/speed events, alarm history, user login metadata) support GLP/GMP-aligned documentation practices. Optional RS-485 Modbus RTU or Ethernet TCP/IP interfaces enable integration into centralized lab infrastructure monitoring systems compliant with ASTM E2500-13 (verification of automated systems).

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware records all critical operational parameters at 1-second intervals to internal flash memory (≥30 days of continuous logging). Data export is supported via USB 2.0 port in CSV format, compatible with MATLAB, Python pandas, and LIMS platforms such as LabVantage or Thermo Fisher SampleManager. No proprietary software installation is required; exported files contain ISO 8601 timestamps, sensor IDs, and event flags (e.g., “ALERT_TEMP_HIGH”, “CYCLE_COMPLETE”). Audit trail functionality includes immutable user session tagging and password-protected parameter modification—meeting minimum traceability criteria referenced in EU Annex 11 and USP Analytical Instrument Qualification.

Applications

• High-yield recombinant protein expression in E. coli and yeast using temperature-shift induction protocols (e.g., 37 °C growth → 18 °C induction).
• Aerobic bacterial culture under controlled dissolved oxygen surrogates via orbital speed modulation (validated correlation between rpm and k_La in 500–2000 mL working volumes).
• Hybridization kinetics for DNA microarrays and Northern blotting where precise thermal ramping (±0.5 °C) and gentle agitation minimize probe degradation.
• Long-term stability testing of biopharmaceutical formulations per ICH Q5C guidelines, utilizing dual-layer capability to compare accelerated (40 °C/75% RH simulated) vs. real-time (5 °C) storage conditions concurrently.
• Environmental microbiology studies involving psychrophilic isolates cultivated at 8–12 °C with extended incubation (>72 h) and periodic sampling without chamber interruption.

FAQ

Does the XC2-35R support external temperature probes for media-specific monitoring?
Yes—optional Pt100 probe inputs (via rear-panel DB9 connector) allow direct immersion measurement; firmware applies configurable offset compensation and displays both chamber air and probe readings simultaneously.
Can the shaker operate with one layer disabled while the other runs independently?
Yes—each tier has dedicated power relays and thermal sensors; disabling one layer does not affect airflow dynamics or cooling load distribution on the active layer.
Is validation documentation (IQ/OQ) provided with the instrument?
Factory-issued test certificates (as-built drawings, sensor calibration reports, and performance verification data per ISO 17025-accredited subcontractors) are included; full qualification protocol templates are available upon request.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous 4 °C operation?
Sustained 4 °C setpoint is guaranteed at ambient temperatures ≤30 °C and relative humidity ≤65%; performance degrades above 32 °C due to condenser thermal saturation.
Are third-party flask clamps or specialized tray inserts available?
DRETOP offers OEM-compatible accessories including universal spring-loaded clamps (for 125–5000 mL vessels), microplate carriers (96-/384-well), and silicone-coated anti-slip mats—all designed to maintain mechanical resonance integrity at 300 rpm.