Grant P12-100 Flask Tray for Orbital Shakers
| Brand | Grant |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | P12-100 |
| Instrument Type | Accessory Tray for Orbital Shakers |
| Timer Range | Not Applicable (Passive Tray) |
| Oscillation Frequency | Not Applicable |
| Oscillation Amplitude | Not Applicable |
| Temperature Range | Not Applicable |
| Number of Platforms | 1 |
Overview
The Grant P12-100 Flask Tray is a precision-engineered accessory designed exclusively for integration with orbital shakers used in life science laboratories. Unlike active shaking platforms, this tray serves as a passive, mechanically stable mounting interface that securely holds Erlenmeyer flasks—specifically accommodating up to twelve 100 mL vessels—during continuous orbital agitation. Its function is rooted in mechanical coupling: the tray’s recessed, conical flask wells and low-center-of-gravity geometry minimize lateral slippage and ensure synchronized motion transfer from the shaker platform to each vessel. This design directly supports reproducible aeration, suspension homogeneity, and scalable culture conditions essential for microbial growth, cell line expansion, and bioprocess development. The P12-100 does not incorporate heating, cooling, or electronic controls; it operates solely as a structural extension of certified orbital shaker systems compliant with ISO 13485–aligned laboratory infrastructure.
Key Features
- Optimized well geometry with tapered 100 mL flask recesses—designed to prevent tipping under standard orbital speeds (e.g., 60–300 rpm) and amplitudes (e.g., 20–50 mm).
- High-impact, autoclavable polypropylene construction—resistant to repeated sterilization cycles (121 °C, 15 psi, 20 min), chemical exposure (including 70% ethanol, diluted acids/bases), and mechanical fatigue.
- Integrated anti-slip base with micro-textured silicone-inlay footprint—ensures secure adhesion to shaker platforms without adhesive tapes or clamps, minimizing vibration decoupling.
- Stackable and modular design—compatible with Grant’s IO series and other ISO-standardized orbital shakers featuring 305 × 305 mm or larger platforms.
- Traceable manufacturing: Each unit carries a laser-etched batch code and conforms to UKCA marking requirements for laboratory accessories used in GLP environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The P12-100 is validated for use with standard borosilicate glass and PETG Erlenmeyer flasks (100 mL nominal volume, conical base, 38 mm neck diameter). It is not intended for use with flat-bottomed vessels, centrifuge tubes, or pressurized bioreactor flasks. Regulatory alignment includes adherence to IEC 61000-6-2 (electromagnetic immunity) and IEC 61000-6-3 (emission standards) as a Class A laboratory accessory. While the tray itself carries no electrical rating, its deployment falls within the safety scope of shaker systems certified to UL 61010-1 and EN 61010-1 for laboratory equipment. Documentation supports audit readiness for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–governed workflows when paired with validated shaker controllers featuring electronic logging.
Software & Data Management
As a passive hardware component, the P12-100 requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. Its operational integrity is verified through mechanical validation protocols—not digital calibration. However, when used with Grant’s digitally controlled shakers (e.g., IOB-4 or ES-20), the tray contributes to end-to-end traceability: shaker runtime, speed, and temperature logs (where applicable) are recorded in encrypted CSV or .xlsx formats compliant with ALCOA+ data integrity principles. No proprietary software is required; exported datasets integrate natively with LIMS platforms (e.g., LabWare, STARLIMS) via standard API endpoints or manual import.
Applications
- Microbial cultivation: Consistent oxygen transfer in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and yeast cultures across screening and seed train stages.
- Cell suspension maintenance: Uniform distribution of CHO, HEK293, and hybridoma cells during transient transfection or pre-bioreactor expansion.
- Enzyme kinetics assays: Stabilized flask positioning enables reproducible mixing during multi-point time-series sampling.
- Media preparation and solubilization: Accelerated dissolution of powdered reagents or agarose without vortex-induced foaming.
- Educational labs: Standardized platform for undergraduate microbiology and biochemistry curricula requiring parallel flask handling under identical agitation parameters.
FAQ
Is the P12-100 compatible with non-Grant shaker models?
Yes—provided the shaker features an orbital motion profile, a flat platform ≥305 mm × 305 mm, and mechanical stability meeting ISO 15190:2020 laboratory equipment vibration thresholds.
Can the tray be used in incubated shakers?
Yes, provided the incubator chamber maintains ambient humidity ≤80% RH and temperature ≤60 °C; prolonged exposure above 60 °C may induce polypropylene creep over extended cycles.
Does the tray include flask caps or closures?
No—flask sealing must be performed separately using standard screw caps, foam plugs, or sterile vented closures appropriate for the application.
What is the maximum recommended orbital speed when using this tray?
For optimal stability with 100 mL flasks filled to 50% capacity, speeds up to 250 rpm are validated; higher speeds require individual mechanical verification per ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab SOPs.
Is cleaning validation documentation available?
Yes—Grant provides a Cleaning Validation Template (Ref: GR-P12-100-CV-2024) outlining residue limits, swab recovery studies, and acceptable carryover thresholds for common culture media components.
