Gilson SS30S Ro-Tap® Mechanical Sieve Shaker

Overview

The Gilson SS30S Ro-Tap® Mechanical Sieve Shaker is a precision-engineered, ASTM-compliant dry sieve analysis instrument manufactured by W.S. Tyler and distributed exclusively by Gilson in North America. It implements the standardized Ro-Tap® motion profile—combining horizontal circular oscillation (278 cycles/min) with vertical tapping (150 taps/min)—to replicate the manual sieving action defined in ASTM E11, ASTM C136, ISO 3310-1, and USP . This dual-motion mechanism ensures uniform particle stratification, minimizes blinding, and delivers high reproducibility across repeated analyses. Designed for laboratory and quality control environments requiring regulatory compliance, the SS30S operates at 230 V / 60 Hz and integrates a robust ¼ HP induction motor with thermal overload protection for sustained duty cycles. Its rigid cast-iron base and bolt-down capability support stable operation during extended sieving protocols, making it suitable for routine QC testing, R&D particle size distribution studies, and GLP-aligned material characterization workflows.

Key Features

• ASTM- and ISO-certified Ro-Tap® motion: 278 oscillations/min + 150 vertical taps/min for standardized, operator-independent separation
• Dual-voltage compatibility: SS30S variant configured for 230 V / 60 Hz (2.2 A), ensuring stable performance in international labs with 60 Hz infrastructure
• Digital timer with 0.1-second resolution and 99-minute maximum duration, supporting precise method execution per ASTM D6913 or ISO 13320
• Quick-adjust sieve support plate accommodates up to six full-height 8-inch (203 mm) test sieves—or thirteen half-height sieves—in a single stack
• Universal sieve compatibility: Accepts both ASTM-standard (inch-based) and ISO 3310-1 (metric) sieves, including 200 mm diameter frames
• Heavy-duty cast-iron construction with vibration-dampening feet; optional mounting hardware enables secure benchtop anchoring
• Integrated motor guard and thermal cut-off circuitry ensure operational safety and long-term reliability under continuous use

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SS30S is validated for dry granular materials ranging from coarse aggregates (No. 4, 4.75 mm) to fine powders (No. 635, 20 µm), covering the full scope of ASTM E11 standard sieve series. It supports compliant analysis of soils (ASTM D6913), pharmaceutical excipients (USP ), catalysts, metal powders, ceramics, and food-grade particulates. All mechanical components meet RoHS directives, and electrical design conforms to IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity). When paired with NIST-traceable calibration sieves and documented SOPs, the system supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data integrity when integrated with Gilson’s optional LabLink™ software suite for audit trail generation.

Software & Data Management

While the SS30S operates as a standalone electromechanical unit, it is fully compatible with Gilson’s LabLink™ Instrument Control Software (sold separately). LabLink enables remote start/stop, timer synchronization across multiple shakers, automated run logging with timestamped metadata (operator ID, sieve set, duration), and export to CSV or PDF for LIMS integration. All digital logs include electronic signatures, change history, and tamper-evident audit trails—meeting GLP, GMP, and FDA requirements for regulated laboratories. No proprietary firmware updates are required; device communication occurs via USB-to-serial interface using standard Modbus RTU protocol.

Applications

• Quality assurance of bulk raw materials in chemical, mineral, and construction industries
• Particle size distribution profiling for additive manufacturing metal powders (per ASTM F3049)
• Pharmaceutical blend uniformity assessment prior to tablet compression
• Soil gradation analysis for civil engineering geotechnical reports (ASTM D2487)
• Validation of milling and micronization process outputs in food and nutraceutical manufacturing
• Calibration verification of laser diffraction analyzers using reference standards

FAQ

What voltage configurations are available for the Ro-Tap® SS30 series?
The SS30S model is specifically rated for 230 V / 60 Hz operation. Other variants include SS30 (115 V / 60 Hz) and SS30F (230 V / 50 Hz). Voltage selection must match local supply specifications and cannot be field-modified.
Can ISO 200 mm sieves be used on the SS30S?
Yes—the SS30S accepts both 8-inch (203 mm) ASTM sieves and metric 200 mm ISO 3310-1 sieves using the same support plate assembly without adapters.
Is the SS30S compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
The shaker itself is a non-electronic data-generating device; however, when operated under LabLink™ software with user authentication, electronic signatures, and audit-trail-enabled logging, the full workflow satisfies Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.
What is the maximum recommended daily duty cycle?
For optimal longevity and repeatability, Gilson recommends limiting cumulative daily operation to ≤8 hours with ≥5-minute cooldown intervals between consecutive 30+ minute runs.
Does the SS30S require annual calibration?
No formal calibration is mandated, but periodic verification of tap frequency (150 ± 2 taps/min) and oscillation rate (278 ± 3 cycles/min) using a certified tachometer is advised per ASTM E323 and internal QA protocols.