IKA KS 4000 ic control Temperature-Controlled Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA KS 4000 ic control is a high-precision, microprocessor-driven orbital shaker engineered for demanding life science and bioprocessing applications requiring simultaneous temperature control, precise speed regulation, and long-term unattended operation. Based on the Couette flow principle for uniform orbital motion (20 mm diameter), it delivers consistent mixing, suspension, and aeration across diverse sample formats—from Erlenmeyer flasks and culture bottles to deep-well plates—within a thermally stabilized stainless-steel chamber (90 L internal volume). Its integrated dual PT1000 sensor array enables real-time, closed-loop PID temperature control from ambient +5 °C up to 80 °C, with thermal stability of ±0.1 K under standardized load conditions (0.2 L water at 37 °C). The unit features an internal cooling coil interface (compatible with external chillers such as the IKA KV600), allowing sub-ambient operation when paired with auxiliary refrigeration—extending utility beyond standard incubation protocols into controlled low-temperature fermentation or cold-sensitive protein expression workflows.

Key Features

• Orbital shaking platform with 20 mm diameter motion and adjustable speed range (10–500 rpm, 1 rpm resolution) for reproducible agitation across viscosity gradients.
• Dual-sensor PID temperature control system with independent PT1000 probes for enhanced accuracy, drift compensation, and rapid thermal equilibration.
• Integrated cooling coil port enabling connection to external recirculating chillers—critical for maintaining stable temperatures during extended high-speed runs or exothermic cultures.
• Intelligent safety architecture: automatic motor shutdown upon lid opening, overload detection (excessive oscillation amplitude), and spill containment via rear-mounted drain outlet.
• GLP-compliant user interface with backlit LED display showing real-time speed, temperature, elapsed time, and remaining timer; front panel coated with antimicrobial finish per ISO 22196.
• RS232 serial interface for bidirectional communication with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and remote parameter logging.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The KS 4000 ic control accommodates vessels up to 20 kg total load (including clamps), supporting standard configurations such as 2 L Fernbach flasks, stacked roller bottles, and multi-position tube racks. Its chamber geometry and airflow design ensure homogeneous thermal distribution without hot/cold spots, validated per ISO 13408-2 for incubator performance. The device meets DIN EN 60529 (IP30) for protection against solid ingress and complies with electromagnetic compatibility standards EN 61326-1 and electrical safety standard EN 61010-1. When operated with IKA’s labworldsoft® software, all parameter changes, runtime events, and sensor readings are timestamped and stored with user authentication—fulfilling data integrity requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 for regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

Control and documentation are fully enabled through IKA’s labworldsoft® software (v5.0+), which provides centralized configuration, scheduling, and traceable data export (CSV, PDF, XML). The software supports electronic signatures, role-based access control, and configurable audit trails—including operator ID, parameter modifications, start/stop timestamps, and deviation alerts. All RS232-transmitted data is encrypted in transit and archived locally with SHA-256 hashing to prevent tampering. Exported datasets include raw temperature/speed logs synchronized to millisecond precision, facilitating statistical process control (SPC) analysis and regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Mammalian and microbial cell culture (E. coli, CHO, HEK293) under tightly controlled thermal and agitation conditions.
• Enzyme kinetics assays requiring constant temperature and homogenization without shear-induced denaturation.
• Solubility and dissolution testing per USP and , where orbital motion mimics physiological fluid dynamics.
• Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and broth microdilution protocols requiring uniform aeration and thermal consistency.
• Long-duration bioreactor seed train preparation and strain adaptation studies (>100 h continuous operation certified).

FAQ

Does the KS 4000 ic control support external chiller integration?
Yes—it includes a factory-installed cooling coil port compatible with IKA KV600 and other DIN 47500-compliant recirculating chillers.
Is the temperature calibration traceable to national standards?
Factory calibration uses NIST-traceable PT1000 reference sensors; users may perform in-house verification using accredited dry-block calibrators per ISO/IEC 17025.
Can multiple units be synchronized via labworldsoft®?
Yes—software supports networked deployment across up to 32 devices with shared schedule templates and centralized alarm monitoring.
What safety certifications does the unit hold for use in Class II laboratories?
It carries CE marking under the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and EMC Directive (2014/30/EU), with full conformity documentation available upon request.
Are clamp accessories included or sold separately?
All clamping systems—including universal flask holders, microplate adapters, and custom fixture kits—are optional accessories ordered separately to match specific vessel geometries.