Julabo SW24 Ultrasonic Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaking Water Bath

Overview

The Julabo SW24 Ultrasonic Constant-Temperature Orbital Shaking Water Bath is an integrated laboratory platform engineered for precision sample preparation requiring simultaneous control of temperature, mechanical agitation, and ultrasonic energy. Unlike conventional water baths or standalone shakers, the SW24 implements a tri-modal operational architecture grounded in three physically distinct but synergistic mechanisms: Peltier-assisted thermoregulation with dual heating/cooling capacity, orbital shaking via brushless DC motor-driven eccentric drive, and high-intensity ultrasonic cavitation generated by a submerged titanium alloy transducer operating at 40 kHz nominal frequency. This convergence enables reproducible, time-resolved control over mass transfer, cell lysis, particle dispersion, and solvent extraction kinetics—critical parameters in analytical sample conditioning workflows governed by ISO 5725 (accuracy/trueness), ASTM D341 (viscosity-temperature correlation), and USP (analytical instrument qualification). The bath’s stainless-steel chamber and sealed transducer housing ensure long-term stability under continuous operation across regulated environments compliant with GLP and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation requirements.

Key Features

• Triple-function integration: Independent or concurrent activation of ultrasonication, orbital shaking, and precise temperature regulation
• Orbital shaking mechanism with programmable speed range of 20–200 rpm and dual-amplitude selection (15 mm or 25 mm peak-to-peak displacement)
• Ultrasonic system delivering up to 400 W nominal output power, adjustable in 1% increments (40–100% duty cycle) to match sample viscosity and container geometry
• Degas mode: Automated low-power ultrasonic cycling (20 kHz burst modulation) to remove dissolved gases prior to sonication-sensitive assays (e.g., HPLC mobile phase degassing or enzymatic reaction setup)
• Temperature uniformity ±0.1 °C across full bath volume; stability ±0.05 °C over 24 h (verified per ASTM E1137)
• External chiller interface compatible with Julabo FD200/FD400 units for sub-ambient operation (minimum setpoint +6 °C), enabling cryo-sonication protocols
• Microprocessor-based PID controller with real-time display of bath temperature, setpoint, ultrasonic power level, oscillation speed, and elapsed time

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SW24 accommodates standard laboratory vessels including conical centrifuge tubes (15–50 mL), Erlenmeyer flasks (50–500 mL), and custom immersion jackets up to 22 L total volume. Its orbital motion profile minimizes vortex formation while maximizing lateral shear—ideal for suspension homogenization without foaming or surface denaturation. The ultrasonic transducer is calibrated for aqueous and polar organic media (e.g., ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile); non-polar solvents require external jacketing or power derating per IEC 60068-2-68 safety guidelines. All electrical and thermal subsystems conform to EN 61000-6-3 (EMC emissions), EN 61000-6-2 (immunity), and UL/CSA 61010-1 for Class II laboratory equipment. Data logging outputs support FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when interfaced with validated LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

While the SW24 operates as a stand-alone instrument via its front-panel interface, it supports RS232 and optional Ethernet connectivity for remote parameter configuration and event logging. Julabo’s LabView-compatible driver suite enables automated sequence scripting—including ramp-hold cycles, multi-step sonication bursts, and synchronized shake/heat/ultra triggers—for integration into unattended batch processing systems. Temperature and operational status data are timestamped and exportable in CSV format. Firmware updates maintain alignment with evolving ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.5.2 requirements for measurement traceability and uncertainty estimation.

Applications

• Environmental analysis: Accelerated leaching of heavy metals from soil matrices (EPA Method 1311 TCLP)
• Food microbiology: Uniform resuspension of bacterial colonies prior to plating or PCR template preparation
• Clinical diagnostics: Disruption of biofilm-coated catheters or tissue homogenates for pathogen isolation
• Pharmaceutical QA/QC: Dissolution testing of extended-release tablets under controlled hydrodynamic conditions
• Nanomaterial synthesis: Stabilized nanoparticle dispersion in aqueous colloids prior to DLS or TEM characterization

FAQ

Can the SW24 operate below ambient temperature without an external chiller?
No. The built-in refrigeration module maintains only ambient +5 °C minimum; sub-ambient operation requires connection to a Julabo FD200 or FD400 chiller.
Is the ultrasonic frequency fixed or tunable?
The transducer operates at a fixed nominal frequency of 40 kHz, optimized for cavitation efficiency in aqueous media. Frequency sweeping is not supported.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for sustained performance?
Transducer cleaning every 200 operational hours using 10% citric acid solution; annual calibration of temperature sensor against NIST-traceable reference thermometer per ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.3.
Does the SW24 meet GMP documentation requirements for pharmaceutical labs?
Yes—when used with optional digital log export and electronic signature modules, it satisfies ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) for raw data integrity under EU Annex 11 and FDA guidance.
Can multiple SW24 units be networked for centralized monitoring?
Yes, via TCP/IP-enabled controllers and Julabo’s central supervision software (Julabo Connect), supporting up to 32 devices per subnet with SNMP v3 security protocol.