IKA EUROSTAR 60 digital Overhead Stirrer

Overview

The IKA EUROSTAR 60 digital is a high-precision, brushless DC-driven overhead stirrer engineered for reproducible mixing, dispersion, and homogenization in regulated laboratory environments. Designed according to the principles of controlled torque delivery and closed-loop speed regulation, it operates on a constant-speed control architecture that maintains set rotational velocity across wide viscosity ranges — from low-viscosity aqueous solutions to highly structured non-Newtonian fluids up to 50,000 mPa·s. Its compact footprint (reduced by 23% versus prior-generation models) and IP54-rated enclosure support integration into ISO Class 7 and Class 8 cleanrooms, making it suitable for GMP-compliant pharmaceutical development, bioprocess scale-down studies, medical device manufacturing validation, and high-purity electronics material formulation.

Key Features

• Brushless DC motor with 100% continuous duty cycle, delivering 131 W mechanical output and eliminating carbon dust generation — critical for contamination-sensitive applications.
• Dual-torque capability: 100 N·cm maximum torque at speeds ≤200 rpm; linearly adjustable down to 60 N·cm at 200–2000 rpm — enabling stable operation during both high-viscosity startup and high-shear dispersion phases.
• Real-time torque trend monitoring with ±6 N·cm accuracy, visualized directly on the backlit LCD display — providing quantitative feedback on structural breakdown, gelation, or phase separation during mixing.
• Tool-free quick-sensing chuck system compatible with shaft diameters from 0.5 to 10 mm, including hollow-shaft compatibility for inline sensor insertion (e.g., temperature or pH probes).
• Integrated safety architecture: automatic shutdown triggered by stall detection, user-defined torque limit exceedance, or abrupt torque drop (e.g., vessel rupture), compliant with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC and EN 61010-1 safety standards.
• Full electronic speed control with ±1 rpm setting resolution and measurement accuracy of ±1% (n > 300 rpm) or ±3 rpm (n < 300 rpm), ensuring traceable process repeatability.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The EUROSTAR 60 digital accommodates vessels from 50 mL beakers to 60 L jacketed reactors, supporting common lab geometries (cylindrical, conical, baffled) and standard impeller types (propeller, paddle, anchor, helical ribbon). Its sealed cast-aluminum housing with thermoplastic polymer coating resists chemical splashes and steam exposure. Certified to ISO 14644-1 Class 7 and Class 8 cleanroom requirements, it meets particulate emission thresholds essential for sterile filtration validation, cell culture media preparation, and implant-grade polymer blending. The unit conforms to DIN EN 60529 (IP54), EN 61326-1 (EMC for laboratory use), and EN 61010-1 (safety for electrical equipment), and supports audit-ready documentation when paired with labworldsoft®.

Software & Data Management

Equipped with native USB-C and RS232 interfaces, the stirrer enables bidirectional communication with external controllers and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). When integrated with IKA’s labworldsoft® software, users can define multi-step protocols with time-stamped torque/speed logs, export CSV-formatted datasets with metadata (operator ID, timestamp, method name), and generate PDF reports compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements — including electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-access-level controls. The built-in timer (1–6000 min) and counter function support SOP-driven batch processing, while the lock key prevents unauthorized parameter modification during unattended runs.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical: Dissolution testing, suspension stabilization, excipient blending under GMP conditions.
• Biotechnology: Seed train expansion, buffer and media preparation, shear-sensitive protein formulation.
• Materials Science: Nanoparticle dispersion in polymer matrices, ceramic slurry deagglomeration, battery electrolyte homogenization.
• Chemistry: Catalytic reaction mixing, emulsion polymerization, organometallic synthesis requiring inert atmosphere compatibility.
• Quality Control: Viscosity profiling per ASTM D2196, batch-to-batch consistency verification per ISO 8504-2.

FAQ

Does the EUROSTAR 60 digital support remote control via Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
No — it features only USB-C and RS232 physical interfaces. Network connectivity requires an external serial-to-Ethernet converter configured within the lab network infrastructure.
Can the torque trend data be exported in real time during operation?
Yes — via RS232 or USB-C using labworldsoft® or custom SCPI-compatible scripts; raw torque values are transmitted at 10 Hz sampling rate.
Is the unit suitable for use inside a glovebox with inert gas atmosphere?
Yes — its IP54 rating, brushless motor design, and absence of venting ports allow safe operation in nitrogen- or argon-purged enclosures, provided ambient temperature remains within 5–40 °C.
What is the calibration interval recommendation for torque and speed accuracy?
IKA recommends annual verification against traceable standards (e.g., NIST-traceable torque calibrator, optical tachometer); no field recalibration is user-serviceable.
Does the stirrer comply with GLP documentation requirements out-of-the-box?
It supports GLP compliance when used with labworldsoft® v4.0+, which provides full electronic audit trail, role-based access, and 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures.