Grant OLS200 Linear/Orbital Water Bath Shaker

Overview

The Grant OLS200 Linear/Orbital Water Bath Shaker is an engineered platform for precise, thermally controlled agitation of aqueous samples in life science and bioprocessing laboratories. It integrates dual-mode mechanical excitation—linear reciprocating motion and orbital rotation—within a single, compact water-jacketed chamber. This design enables consistent heat transfer via conduction through the water medium while delivering reproducible mixing dynamics essential for cell culture maintenance, enzyme kinetics assays, solubility studies, and hybridization protocols. Unlike air-jacketed shakers, the water bath configuration ensures superior temperature uniformity across sample vessels and minimizes evaporative loss during extended incubations. The unit operates across a wide thermal range (0–99 °C), with factory-calibrated stability and spatial uniformity of ±0.1 °C—meeting the baseline requirements for ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration environments and GLP-aligned experimental workflows.

Key Features

• Dual-Mode Agitation System: Switch between linear shaking (40–360 strokes/min; selectable stroke lengths: 18, 28, or 36 mm) and orbital rotation (20–200 rpm; 9 mm radius) by reorienting the platform—no tools or firmware changes required.
• High-Fidelity Thermal Control: PID-regulated heating with digital LED display (0.1 °C resolution), ±0.1 °C stability over time and ±0.1 °C uniformity across the bath volume. Optional integrated Peltier-based cooling extends operational range down to 0 °C.
• Robust Mechanical Architecture: Brushless DC motor drive ensures low-vibration operation at all speeds, minimizing cross-contamination risk and preserving delicate biological structures such as suspended mammalian cells or protein complexes.
• Modular Accessory Ecosystem: Interchangeable platforms—including UT200 universal bottle tray, TT200 tube-specific trays with H1-series rack compatibility (H1-10 to H1-LE), UTP flat plate, PF200 perforated plate, and LS200 insulated lid—support diverse vessel geometries without compromising thermal or mechanical integrity.
• Lab-Safe Engineering: Adjustable high-temperature cut-off, IP22-rated enclosure, and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bath interior comply with IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OLS200 accommodates standard labware up to 90 mm in height—including Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L), centrifuge tubes, microtiter plates, and custom bioreactor vessels—when mounted on appropriate trays. Its water bath geometry (505 × 300 × 200 mm internal volume) supports simultaneous processing of multiple sample sets under identical thermal and kinetic conditions. The system conforms to key regulatory expectations for instrument qualification: documented temperature mapping reports are supported by its stable thermal profile, and the digital interface permits manual logging compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned recordkeeping when paired with external audit-trail software. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 certified, its deterministic control logic and non-volatile parameter storage facilitate IQ/OQ documentation per GMP Annex 15 guidelines.

Software & Data Management

The OLS200 operates via an embedded microcontroller with local digital interface only—no proprietary PC software or cloud connectivity is included. All parameters (setpoint temperature, speed mode, rpm/stroke rate, timer) are configured and monitored via front-panel LED display and tactile membrane buttons. This architecture eliminates cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with networked instruments and ensures uninterrupted operation in regulated facilities where IT policy restricts device-level networking. For labs requiring electronic data capture, analog output (0–10 V or 4–20 mA) can be added via optional expansion module, enabling integration into SCADA or LIMS systems with third-party analog-to-digital converters. Calibration certificates traceable to UKAS-accredited standards are available upon request.

Applications

• Mammalian and microbial suspension culture maintenance under controlled shear stress
• Antibody-antigen binding kinetics and epitope mapping assays
• DNA/RNA hybridization in Southern/Northern blotting workflows
• Solubility profiling of small-molecule pharmaceutical candidates
• Enzyme activity screening across temperature gradients
• Preparative-scale dialysis and buffer exchange in membrane-based systems
• Standardized extraction protocols for plant metabolites or environmental analytes

FAQ

Can the OLS200 operate below ambient temperature?
Yes—when equipped with the optional Peltier-based cooling module, the unit achieves temperatures as low as 0 °C while maintaining ±0.1 °C stability.
Is the water bath resistant to corrosive solutions?
The internal bath chamber is constructed from electropolished 316 stainless steel, offering resistance to diluted acids, bases, and saline buffers commonly used in molecular biology applications.
Does the OLS200 support timed operation?
Yes—it includes a programmable mechanical timer with 1-minute to 99-hour duration capability and auto-shutdown functionality.
What is the maximum recommended load weight on the platform?
The platform is rated for continuous operation with up to 5 kg distributed load; exceeding this may affect thermal uniformity and long-term motor performance.
Are calibration services available directly from Grant Instruments?
Grant offers UKAS-traceable temperature and speed verification services through authorized service centers, with full calibration reports issued per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.