IKA Hula Dancer Digital Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA Hula Dancer Digital Orbital Shaker is a compact, high-stability laboratory shaker engineered for precise and reproducible mixing of small-volume samples in microtubes, PCR strips, and conical tubes. Designed around a robust brushless DC motor and optimized mechanical drive train, it delivers consistent orbital motion with a fixed 4.5 mm orbit diameter—ideal for applications requiring gentle yet effective suspension of particulates, cell resuspension, reagent homogenization, and pre-PCR sample preparation. Unlike variable-angle or reciprocating shakers, the Hula Dancer employs pure circular orbital motion, minimizing shear stress on sensitive biological matrices while ensuring uniform mixing across all vessel positions. Its solid aluminum housing and precision-machined base provide exceptional vibration damping and positional stability—even at maximum speed—making it suitable for benchtop use adjacent to sensitive instrumentation such as spectrophotometers or microplate readers.

Key Features

• Digitally controlled speed range from 1200 to 2800 rpm, adjustable via intuitive rotary encoder for repeatable setpoint recall
• Fixed 4.5 mm orbital diameter ensures consistent kinetic energy transfer across all load conditions
• Brushless DC motor architecture enables maintenance-free operation, high efficiency (5 W mechanical output), and low electromagnetic interference
• IP42-rated enclosure (per DIN EN 60529) provides protection against splashing water and solid objects ≥1 mm, supporting safe use in standard wet-lab environments
• Momentary activation (“pulse mode”) allows manual initiation of short-duration mixing cycles without preset timing constraints
• Universal power supply (100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz) ensures global compatibility without external transformers or voltage converters
• Low standby power consumption (0.8 W) aligns with institutional energy efficiency guidelines and lab sustainability protocols
• Compact footprint (123 × 42 × 123 mm) and lightweight design (0.7 kg) facilitate flexible placement in biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, or shared core facility benches

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Hula Dancer digital supports standard microcentrifuge tubes (0.2–2.0 mL), PCR tube strips, and small conical vials up to 15 mL when used with compatible tube holders (sold separately). Its rated maximum load of 0.1 kg—including fixture mass—ensures dynamic balance under all operating conditions. The device complies with IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and conforms to EMC directive 2014/30/EU. While not certified for GLP/GMP environments out-of-the-box, its stable speed control, absence of analog drift, and mechanical repeatability support audit-ready documentation when integrated into validated workflows. It meets no built-in thermal regulation requirements; users must ensure ambient temperature remains within 5–40 °C and relative humidity stays below 80% non-condensing per manufacturer specifications.

Software & Data Management

This instrument operates as a standalone hardware unit with no embedded firmware-based data logging, USB connectivity, or PC interface. Speed settings are retained across power cycles via non-volatile memory, but no timestamped operational history, audit trail, or electronic record is generated. As such, it does not comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic signatures or secure data archiving. For labs requiring traceable mixing parameters, integration with external process monitoring systems (e.g., via external tachometer sensors or programmable logic controllers) is possible but requires third-party configuration. Documentation—including calibration certificates, service logs, and usage records—must be maintained manually in accordance with internal SOPs.

Applications

• Resuspension of lyophilized enzymes, antibodies, and recombinant proteins prior to assay setup
• Homogenization of bacterial pellet suspensions for OD₆₀₀ measurement or plasmid extraction
• Equilibration of immunoassay reagents and ELISA coating solutions
• Pre-analytical mixing of whole blood or plasma samples prior to centrifugation or nucleic acid isolation
• Routine agitation of staining and washing buffers in histology and immunohistochemistry workflows
• Supporting ISO 15189-accredited clinical laboratories for non-critical pre-processing steps where speed consistency—not regulatory traceability—is the primary performance criterion

FAQ

Does the Hula Dancer digital include a timer function?
No. This model lacks an integrated timer; mixing duration must be controlled externally using a stopwatch or laboratory timer.
Can it accommodate 15 mL conical tubes?
Yes—when used with IKA’s optional universal tube holder (Cat. No. 0002020000), though total loaded mass must remain ≤0.1 kg.
Is speed calibration traceable to NIST or other national standards?
IKA provides factory calibration documentation upon request, but end-user recalibration requires an external optical tachometer and adherence to internal metrology SOPs.
What maintenance is required?
None beyond periodic cleaning of the platform surface and inspection of mounting screws; the brushless motor has no consumable parts.
Is it suitable for use inside a CO₂ incubator?
No—its IP42 rating and 5–40 °C ambient specification exclude operation in humidified, elevated-CO₂, or temperature-controlled enclosures.