IKA RH digital Magnetic Stirrer

Overview

The IKA RH digital is a precision-engineered magnetic stirrer with integrated heating, designed for reproducible, high-capacity mixing and temperature-controlled applications in analytical, quality control, and synthetic laboratories. Based on the Couette flow principle, it employs a rotating permanent magnet system beneath a thermally optimized stainless steel–copper composite heating plate to drive magnetic stir bars within vessels. Its robust architecture supports continuous operation at up to 2000 rpm while maintaining thermal stability across volumes up to 15 L of aqueous media — making it suitable for dissolution testing, buffer preparation, reagent synthesis, and pre-heating protocols prior to downstream analysis (e.g., HPLC sample conditioning or enzymatic assays). The device complies with DIN 12878 for heater-stirrer interoperability and meets general safety requirements per DIN EN 60529 (IP21), ensuring reliable performance under standard laboratory environmental conditions (5–40 °C, ≤80 % RH).

Key Features

• High-power 600 W heating system with rapid thermal response — achieves ~6 K/min heating rate in 1 L water (measured per H15 protocol)
• DIN 12878-compliant heating sleeve interface for seamless integration with external electronic contact thermometers (e.g., IKA ETS-D5)
• Digital LED display for simultaneous real-time monitoring of speed (100–2000 rpm) and plate temperature (50–320 °C)
• Adjustable safety temperature limit (100–360 °C) with automatic cut-off to prevent overheating and sample degradation
• Stainless steel 1.4301 worktop with copper sublayer for uniform heat distribution and corrosion resistance
• Soft-start motor control minimizes mechanical shock during acceleration and reduces stir bar “jumping” at low-viscosity conditions
• Error code diagnostics for immediate identification of operational anomalies (e.g., sensor disconnection, overtemperature)
• Touch-sensitive membrane keypad for intuitive, glove-compatible operation
• Compact footprint (160 × 100 × 250 mm) and lightweight design (2.8 kg) for flexible benchtop deployment

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RH digital accommodates standard laboratory glassware including beakers (up to 2 L), cylindrical vessels, and round-bottom flasks. It supports stir bars up to 80 mm in length and is validated for use with low-to-medium viscosity aqueous and organic solutions (e.g., ethanol, acetone, PBS, glycerol–water mixtures up to 40 % w/w). While not rated for explosive or highly corrosive atmospheres, its IP21 ingress protection provides basic dust resistance and limited drip shielding — appropriate for ISO Class 7/8 cleanrooms and GLP-compliant QC environments. The unit conforms to EU Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. Though it lacks built-in data logging or 21 CFR Part 11 compliance features, its stable thermal and rotational output supports method validation per USP , ASTM E2912, and ISO 8573-1 when used as part of a documented SOP.

Software & Data Management

The RH digital operates as a standalone analog-controlled instrument without embedded firmware, USB, RS232, or analog output interfaces. All parameter inputs and status feedback are managed locally via the front-panel LED display and tactile controls. For laboratories requiring audit trails or electronic records, external data acquisition systems (e.g., calibrated thermocouple loggers or third-party DAQ hardware) may be deployed alongside the unit to capture time-stamped temperature and speed profiles. No proprietary software drivers or cloud connectivity are provided; configuration remains fully manual and non-networked — aligning with security-conscious infrastructure policies in regulated pharmaceutical and academic core facilities.

Applications

• Preparation of homogeneous calibration standards and reference solutions in analytical chemistry labs
• Controlled heating and mixing during extraction protocols (e.g., Soxhlet pre-conditioning or solid-phase extraction elution)
• Buffer equilibration for chromatography systems (HPLC, UPLC) where precise thermal consistency affects retention time reproducibility
• Cell culture media warming and pH-adjustment workflows in biosafety cabinets
• Accelerated stability studies involving temperature-dependent reaction kinetics (e.g., hydrolysis rates of ester prodrugs)
• Viscosity-independent stirring of heterogeneous suspensions, including nanoparticle dispersions and catalyst slurries

FAQ

Does the RH digital support external temperature feedback for closed-loop control?
Yes — it features a dedicated DIN 12878 port compatible with IKA ETS-D5 and other standardized contact thermometers, enabling ±1 K accuracy when the sensor tip is immersed directly in the sample.
Can it maintain temperature stability during extended overnight runs?
While engineered for uninterrupted operation, the RH digital lacks active cooling or predictive PID tuning; users should validate thermal drift empirically for durations exceeding 4 hours, particularly above 250 °C.
Is the heating plate surface chemically resistant to strong acids or bases?
The 1.4301 stainless steel top layer offers good resistance to diluted mineral acids and alkalis, but prolonged exposure to concentrated HCl, HF, or hot NaOH is not recommended without protective glass inserts.
What is the maximum recommended viscosity for stable stirring at 2000 rpm?
For optimal torque transmission and minimal stir bar slippage, dynamic viscosities should remain below 500 mPa·s (e.g., 30 % glycerol/water at 25 °C); higher viscosities require reduced speed or larger-diameter stir bars.
Does IKA provide calibration certificates or traceable metrology documentation?
Factory calibration is performed per internal IKA QM procedures; certified calibration reports (traceable to DKD/DAkkS standards) are available upon request as an optional service — contact your regional IKA service center.