IKA KS 3000 i control Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA KS 3000 i control is a precision-engineered, microprocessor-controlled orbital shaker designed for demanding life science and bioprocessing applications requiring simultaneous temperature regulation and reproducible agitation. Operating on the principle of controlled orbital motion with a fixed 20 mm diameter orbit, it delivers uniform mixing across diverse vessel formats—from culture flasks and test tubes to deep-well plates—while maintaining tight thermal control from ambient +5 °C up to 80 °C. Its robust stainless-steel chamber interior, PMMA transparent front panel, and antimicrobial powder-coated steel housing meet stringent laboratory hygiene requirements. The integrated PT1000 temperature sensor—factory-calibrated and mounted directly within the chamber—feeds real-time data to a high-resolution PID controller, enabling thermal stability of ±0.05 K under static load conditions and uniformity of ±0.5 K across five standard 0.5 L vessels at 37 °C. Designed for unattended operation in regulated environments, the unit features automatic motor shutdown upon lid opening, condensate drainage via rear-mounted outlet, and continuous-duty rating (100% duty cycle), making it suitable for overnight bacterial growth, enzyme kinetics, or cell suspension protocols.

Key Features

• Orbital shaking platform with precise 20 mm orbit diameter and speed range of 10–500 rpm, adjustable in 1 rpm increments
• High-accuracy PID temperature control system with PT1000 sensor (included), supporting setpoints from ambient +5 °C to 80 °C
• Large backlit LED display showing real-time values for speed, temperature, and remaining time
• Dual communication interfaces: RS232 and USB for bidirectional instrument control and parameter logging
• Labworldsoft®-compatible architecture—enables remote configuration, scheduled start/stop, and audit-trail-capable data export (software sold separately)
• Antimicrobial housing and smooth, non-porous chamber surfaces minimize microbial retention and simplify decontamination
• Safety-certified mechanical interlock: motor halts immediately when front access panel is opened
• Integrated drain port at rear base for safe removal of spilled liquids from the drip tray
• Thermally insulated chamber with optimized airflow distribution ensures minimal gradient deviation across working volume (50 L internal capacity)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The KS 3000 i control accommodates a broad spectrum of sample containers through interchangeable clamping systems—including universal flask holders, tube racks, microplate adapters, and custom fixtures—supporting volumes from 1 mL vials to 5 L baffled flasks. Its chamber dimensions (330 × 330 × 258 mm) allow flexible layout configurations without compromising thermal homogeneity. The device complies with DIN EN 60529 (IP30 ingress protection), meets CE marking requirements for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and operates within environmental specifications of 15–32 °C ambient temperature and ≤80% relative humidity (non-condensing). While not pre-certified for GMP/GLP environments out-of-the-box, its deterministic behavior, digital parameter traceability (via Labworldsoft®), and configurable electronic audit trail support validation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed with appropriate procedural controls and software configuration.

Software & Data Management

Instrument operation and data acquisition are fully supported via IKA’s Labworldsoft® software suite (v5.0 or later), which provides ISO/IEC 17025-aligned functionality including user-level access control, parameter change logging, electronic signatures, and timestamped export of raw speed/temperature/time datasets in CSV or XML format. The RS232 and USB interfaces enable direct integration into LIMS or ELN platforms using standard SCPI command sets. All configuration changes—including speed ramp profiles, temperature hold durations, and multi-step protocols—are stored persistently in non-volatile memory and survive power cycles. Error codes (e.g., E01 = overtemperature, E05 = lid open fault) are displayed on the LED interface and logged by Labworldsoft®, facilitating rapid troubleshooting and preventive maintenance scheduling.

Applications

• Bacterial and yeast culture expansion under controlled aerobic conditions (e.g., E. coli LB broth at 37 °C, 200 rpm)
• Mammalian cell suspension maintenance in serum-free media with low-shear agitation
• Enzyme assay preparation requiring consistent temperature and mixing prior to spectrophotometric analysis
• Protein solubilization and antigen-antibody incubation steps in immunoassay development
• Environmental microbiology: soil slurry homogenization and enrichment cultures at elevated temperatures
• Quality control testing of liquid pharmaceutical formulations under accelerated stability conditions

FAQ

Is Labworldsoft® included with the KS 3000 i control?
No. Labworldsoft® is licensed separately and must be purchased as an optional software package.
Can the shaker operate continuously for 72 hours or longer?
Yes. The unit is rated for 100% continuous duty cycle and has been validated for uninterrupted operation under nominal load conditions.
What is the maximum flask size supported on the standard platform?
With the optional heavy-duty flask clamp set, the platform supports up to five 2 L Erlenmeyer flasks or one 5 L baffle flask, provided total mass remains ≤7.5 kg.
Does the temperature sensor measure air or medium temperature?
The built-in PT1000 sensor monitors chamber air temperature; however, an additional external PT1000 probe (optional) can be connected via the dedicated sensor port to monitor actual culture medium temperature in real time.
Is the unit compatible with 115 V / 60 Hz power supply?
Yes. The KS 3000 i control features auto-ranging power input (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz) and ships with region-specific mains cables.