HUXI HTW-X4 Microplate Orbital Shaker
| Brand | HUXI |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shanghai, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | HTW-X4 |
| Price | Upon Request |
| Speed Range | 50–1600 rpm |
| Operation Mode | Continuous |
| Oscillation Type | Orbital |
| Housing Material | ABS |
| Amplitude | 3 mm |
| Speed Display | LCD |
| Temperature Control | Not Available |
| Power Consumption | 35 W |
| Motor Type | Brushless DC Motor |
| Motor Input Power | 35 W |
| Motor Output Power | 25 W |
| Sample Capacity | Up to 4 standard microplates (e.g., 96-well, 384-well, 24-well, 48-well plates) |
| Optional Interface | RS232 for remote parameter control and real-time waveform monitoring |
Overview
The HUXI HTW-X4 Microplate Orbital Shaker is an engineered solution for uniform, reproducible mixing of samples in multiwell formats commonly used in life science research, clinical diagnostics, and quality control laboratories. Designed specifically for compatibility with standard microtiter plates—including 96-well, 384-well, 24-well, and 48-well cell culture or ELISA plates—the instrument employs orbital oscillation mechanics to generate consistent horizontal circular motion. This motion induces gentle yet effective fluid agitation without vortex formation or excessive shear, preserving cell viability and antigen-antibody integrity during incubation, washing, or staining steps. The shaker integrates a brushless DC motor paired with microprocessor-based speed regulation, enabling precise rotational control across its full 50–1600 rpm range. Its fixed 3 mm orbital amplitude ensures predictable mixing kinetics while minimizing cross-contamination risk from splashing or condensation displacement—critical for high-throughput assay workflows requiring inter-run consistency.
Key Features
- Brushless DC motor architecture delivering low acoustic noise (20,000 hours of continuous use.
- Orbital motion platform with precisely calibrated 3 mm amplitude, optimized for homogeneous suspension of adherent cells, immunoassay reagents, and enzymatic reaction mixtures.
- Large backlit LCD display showing real-time speed (rpm) and programmable timer status; intuitive single-button interface supports rapid parameter entry and confirmation.
- Lockable keypad mode prevents unintended speed or time changes during active runs—essential in shared lab environments or GLP-compliant workflows.
- Soft-start acceleration profile (0–1000 rpm in ≤3 sec) mitigates sample displacement and reduces meniscus disturbance in low-volume wells.
- Chemically resistant ABS housing with seamless molded enclosure resists corrosion from common laboratory solvents, mild acids, and alkaline buffers; surface geometry facilitates wipe-down decontamination.
- Optional RS232 serial interface enables integration into automated lab systems for centralized control, audit-trail logging, and waveform export via terminal emulation software.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HTW-X4 accommodates up to four standard-height microplates simultaneously—compatible with ANSI/SLAS-formatted plates (e.g., Corning, Greiner, Thermo Fisher). Plate height tolerance spans 14–22 mm, covering deep-well 96-well plates and shallow-format 384-well variants. No temperature regulation is integrated; the device is intended for ambient-condition applications only. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 or ISO/IEC 17025 as a standalone analytical instrument, its construction meets general electrical safety requirements for Class I laboratory equipment. When used within validated protocols, it supports compliance with CLIA, CAP, and ISO 15189 pre-analytical processing guidelines for immunoassay and cell-based assays.
Software & Data Management
The RS232 interface supports ASCII-based command protocol for bidirectional communication. Users may configure speed setpoints, enable/disable timer functions, query current operational state, and stream real-time RPM data at 1 Hz resolution. Logging functionality requires external host software capable of serial port capture and timestamped CSV export—enabling traceability per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 principles when deployed with appropriate access controls and electronic signature modules. Firmware does not store historical run logs internally; all audit-relevant data must be captured externally during operation.
Applications
- ELISA plate washing and conjugate incubation steps requiring uniform agitation without foam generation.
- Cell dissociation and passaging support for adherent lines prior to trypsinization or harvesting.
- Antibody labeling, antigen coating, and blocking buffer equilibration in high-throughput screening platforms.
- Homogenization of viscous lysates or bead-based immunoprecipitation reactions in 96-well filter plates.
- Pre-incubation mixing of PCR master mixes or NGS library preparation reagents prior to thermal cycling.
- QC testing of microplate seal integrity under dynamic oscillatory stress conditions.
FAQ
Does the HTW-X4 support temperature-controlled shaking?
No. The HTW-X4 is a non-temperature-controlled orbital shaker designed exclusively for ambient-condition applications.
Can the unit accommodate deep-well 96-well plates?
Yes—its universal platform accepts plates up to 22 mm in height, including deep-well configurations.
Is calibration documentation provided with the instrument?
Factory calibration verification is included; users may perform routine speed verification using an external tachometer traceable to NIST standards.
What is the expected service life of the brushless DC motor?
Rated for ≥20,000 hours of continuous operation under nominal load conditions, with no scheduled maintenance required.
Does the RS232 interface support USB-to-serial adapters?
Yes, provided the adapter uses FTDI or Silicon Labs chipsets and installs compatible CDC-class drivers on the host system.
