GLTLab SS-4N Ultra-Thin 4-Position Stainless Steel Magnetic Stirrer

Overview

The GLTLab SS-4N is an ultra-low-profile (55 mm height), four-position magnetic stirrer engineered for high-density laboratory workflows requiring simultaneous, independent mixing of multiple samples under consistent thermal and mechanical conditions. Designed around a brushless DC motor architecture, it eliminates carbon brush wear, ensuring long-term speed stability, low electromagnetic interference, and silent operation—critical for vibration-sensitive applications such as cell culture preparation or analytical sample conditioning. Its magnetic coupling system employs high-coercivity neodymium magnets optimized for reliable torque transmission up to 5 L per position (20 L total), even with viscous aqueous or low-conductivity organic media. Unlike traditional benchtop stirrers with elevated housings, the SS-4N’s flush-mount stainless steel platform minimizes footprint and facilitates integration beneath fume hoods, inside environmental chambers, or within automated lab-on-a-chip workstations.

Key Features

• Ultra-Compact Form Factor: 55 mm total height enables installation in space-constrained environments—including incubators, glove boxes, and modular synthesis racks—without compromising access or airflow.
• Four Independent Stirring Zones: Each position features a dedicated magnetic drive circuit and real-time RPM feedback loop, eliminating cross-talk and enabling asynchronous speed control across positions.
• 304 Stainless Steel Construction: Fully sealed housing and platform resist corrosion from solvents, acids, and saline solutions; compatible with routine autoclaving of external accessories (e.g., stir bars, vessels).
• Digital Precision Control: 100–2000 rpm range adjustable in 10-rpm increments via intuitive LED interface; memory function retains last-used settings after power cycling.
• Brushless DC Motor System: Delivers consistent torque output across the full speed range with <±2% speed deviation at steady state (per ISO 8573-1 calibration protocol), supporting reproducible dispersion kinetics in QC testing.
• Low-Noise & Low-Vibration Design: Dynamically balanced rotor assembly and elastomeric isolation feet reduce mechanical transmission to adjacent instrumentation—validated per ANSI S1.13 acoustic emission standards.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SS-4N accommodates standard borosilicate glass beakers (50–1000 mL), polypropylene centrifuge tubes (15–50 mL), and custom reaction vials with diameters from 12–85 mm. It supports PTFE- or glass-coated stir bars (lengths 20–60 mm) and is validated for use with media ranging from deionized water (1 mPa·s) to 40% glycerol/water mixtures (~400 mPa·s). The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and meets CE marking requirements for EMC (EN 61326-1) and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. While not intrinsically rated for explosive atmospheres, its non-sparking motor design and absence of exposed contacts make it suitable for general-purpose use in Class 1, Division 2 environments per NEC Article 500 when operated with appropriate ventilation.

Software & Data Management

The SS-4N operates as a standalone instrument with no proprietary software dependency. All operational parameters are configured locally via the front-panel interface. For integration into networked lab environments, optional RS-232 or USB-to-serial adapters (sold separately) enable command-line control using ASCII-based protocols (e.g., “SPEED=1500rn”, “STARTrn”). Logged speed/time profiles can be exported to CSV via terminal emulation tools (e.g., Tera Term, PuTTY) and imported into LIMS platforms compliant with ASTM E1578-19 (Laboratory Information Management Systems Standard Guide). Audit trail functionality is maintained externally through timestamped operator logs—fully compatible with GLP and GMP documentation workflows requiring traceability per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated electronic signature systems.

Applications

• Parallel sample preparation for HPLC, ICP-MS, and titration workflows requiring identical mixing history across replicates.
• Buffer equilibration and reagent dilution in molecular biology labs—especially where sterility maintenance precludes overhead stirring.
• Accelerated dissolution testing of pharmaceutical tablets per USP , using standardized vessel geometry and agitation consistency.
• Controlled co-precipitation synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanoparticle dispersions, where shear rate uniformity directly impacts crystallite size distribution.
• Long-duration enzymatic assays (e.g., protease activity monitoring over 24 h) benefiting from uninterrupted, low-vibration agitation.

FAQ

What is the maximum viscosity this stirrer can handle effectively?
At 2000 rpm and with a 40 mm PTFE-coated stir bar, the SS-4N maintains stable rotation in Newtonian fluids up to ~400 mPa·s (e.g., 40% w/w glycerol/water at 25 °C); performance in non-Newtonian media depends on yield stress and shear-thinning behavior.
Can the SS-4N be used with heating plates or hotplates?
No—the SS-4N is a non-heating stirrer only. It is not designed for thermal integration; use with external heating mantles or heated blocks requires careful thermal isolation to prevent controller drift.
Is calibration documentation available for quality assurance purposes?
Yes—each unit ships with a factory-verified speed calibration certificate traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) standards, including uncertainty values at 500, 1000, and 2000 rpm.
Are replacement stir bars and platform inserts available?
Standard 304 stainless steel and PTFE-coated stir bars (20–60 mm) are stocked globally; custom platform inserts for microplate formats (e.g., 96-well) are available upon request with lead time.
Does the unit support remote start/stop via external TTL signal?
Not natively—but the RS-232 interface supports programmable start/stop commands (“START”, “STOP”) triggered by external logic controllers or LabVIEW scripts.