IKA Lab Dancer Compact Orbital Shaker

Overview

The IKA Lab Dancer is a compact, fixed-speed orbital shaker engineered for reproducible, low-energy mixing of small-volume liquid samples in life science and clinical laboratories. It operates on the principle of controlled circular motion—generating a consistent 4.5 mm orbit diameter at a precisely maintained 2800 rpm—enabling efficient suspension, resuspension, and homogenization of biological specimens without introducing shear stress associated with high-torque or variable-speed agitation. Designed for benchtop use in environments where space, safety, and chemical compatibility are critical—including biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, and shared core facilities—the Lab Dancer delivers stable mechanical performance under continuous operation (100% duty cycle) while maintaining compliance with DIN EN 60529 (IP40 ingress protection). Its 12 V DC internal power architecture—supplied via an included universal-input AC/DC adapter—ensures electrical isolation and eliminates risk of ground-loop interference, making it suitable for integration near sensitive electrophysiology or microfluidic instrumentation.

Key Features

• Compact footprint (100 × 70 × 100 mm) optimized for crowded benchtops and containment enclosures
• Orbital motion with 4.5 mm orbit diameter ensures uniform sample agitation without vortexing or splashing
• Fixed 2800 rpm speed calibrated for rapid yet gentle mixing of viscous or particulate-laden suspensions (e.g., bacterial pellets, cell lysates, immunoassay reagents)
• Chemically resistant polymer housing and tube platform compatible with common laboratory solvents, alcohols, and dilute acids/bases
• Coated zinc alloy base provides inert mass distribution and anti-slip stability on smooth surfaces
• Momentary (“pulse”) activation mode allows precise manual control over mixing duration—critical for time-sensitive protocols such as antibody binding or enzyme reactions
• No timer or display reduces electromagnetic emissions and simplifies GLP-compliant documentation workflows
• Universal 100–240 V AC input with internal 12 V DC conversion meets IEC 61000-3-2 harmonic current limits and supports global deployment

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Lab Dancer accommodates standard cylindrical vessels up to 30 mm in outer diameter—including 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL Eppendorf tubes, 15 mL conical centrifuge tubes, and small glass vials—without requiring dedicated clamps or adapters. Its flat, non-perforated platform ensures secure placement and minimizes lateral displacement during operation. The device complies with DIN EN 60529 (IP40), indicating protection against solid objects ≥1 mm and no protection against water ingress—consistent with typical dry-lab usage conditions. While not certified for sterile or regulated GMP environments out-of-the-box, its material composition (halogen-free plastics, RoHS-compliant metals) and absence of lubricants or volatile organic components support cleanroom-compatible handling per ISO 14644-1 Class 8 protocols when used with appropriate PPE and surface decontamination.

Software & Data Management

The Lab Dancer is a stand-alone electromechanical instrument with no embedded firmware, network interface, or data logging capability. This design eliminates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, software validation burdens, and firmware update dependencies—making it inherently compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for “non-electronic record” instruments. All operational parameters (speed, orbit, duty cycle) are factory-set and mechanically stabilized; no user calibration or configuration is required. For laboratories operating under ISO/IEC 17025 or GLP frameworks, the absence of digital controls simplifies equipment qualification (IQ/OQ) by reducing verification scope to mechanical function and electrical safety testing only.

Applications

• Resuspension of pelleted cells, spores, or precipitated proteins prior to downstream analysis
• Pre-incubation mixing in ELISA, lateral flow assay, and rapid diagnostic test development
• Homogenization of soil or tissue extracts in environmental microbiology workflows
• Reagent equilibration in qPCR and NGS library preparation steps
• Low-shear dispersion of nanoparticles or liposomes in formulation studies
• Point-of-care device prototyping where minimal power draw (<30 W) and silent operation are essential

FAQ

Is the Lab Dancer suitable for use inside a CO₂ incubator?
No—its specified operating temperature range is 5–40 °C and relative humidity limit is ≤80% RH; CO₂ incubators typically maintain >95% RH and elevated condensation risk, exceeding IP40 protection.
Can it accommodate microtiter plates?
No—the flat platform lacks plate-retention features and is dimensionally unsuited for 96-well or 384-well formats; it is optimized exclusively for individual tubes ≤30 mm OD.
Does it require periodic maintenance or lubrication?
No—brushless motor design and sealed mechanical assembly ensure maintenance-free operation throughout its service life.
Is the 2800 rpm speed adjustable?
No—this is a fixed-speed instrument engineered for repeatable, protocol-specific mixing; speed variability is intentionally excluded to eliminate operator-induced variability.
What safety certifications does it hold?
It conforms to EN 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and carries CE marking for the European Economic Area.