LAUDA Varioshake VS 150 OI Orbital Incubator Shaker

Overview

The LAUDA Varioshake VS 150 OI is a high-precision orbital incubator shaker engineered for reproducible, long-term cell culture, microbial growth, enzyme assays, and biochemical reaction monitoring under tightly controlled thermal and mechanical conditions. It employs orbital shaking motion—characterized by a circular, non-reciprocating trajectory—to ensure homogeneous suspension of cultures while minimizing shear stress on sensitive biological samples. The system integrates a robust Peltier-assisted cooling coil with resistive heating and dual-stage temperature regulation (PID-controlled electronic loop plus independent electromechanical safety limiter), enabling stable operation from 20 °C to 70 °C with ±0.2 °C uniformity across the entire 150 L chamber volume. Its stainless steel interior—including the door liner and platform—ensures corrosion resistance, ease of decontamination, and compliance with GLP laboratory hygiene standards. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the VS 150 OI conforms to IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use) and meets electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per EN 61326-1.

Key Features

• Orbital shaking motion with adjustable frequency (20–250 rpm) and fixed amplitude (25–30 mm), optimized for suspension cultures, protein expression, and aerobic fermentation
• Digital LED interface with intuitive membrane keypad featuring symbolic icons for rapid parameter entry and real-time display of setpoint, actual temperature, elapsed/remaining time, and RPM
• Microprocessor-based PID temperature control with 0.1 °C resolution and adaptive tuning for minimal overshoot and fast thermal equilibration
• Programmable timer with 1-minute to 999-hour range, including audible end-of-run alert and countdown display
• Hinged acrylic glass viewing window enabling visual sample monitoring without compromising chamber integrity or thermal stability
• Integrated internal LED illumination for clear observation during extended incubation cycles
• Door-safety interlock: automatic cessation of both heating and shaking upon door opening to prevent thermal deviation and mechanical hazard
• RS232 serial interface for remote parameter logging, firmware updates, and integration into centralized lab management systems (e.g., LabArchives, Benchling)
• Overload-protected AC motor with dynamic mass-balancing mechanism ensuring constant rotational speed independent of load distribution (up to 20 kg)
• Electrogalvanized, powder-coated steel housing with reinforced structural rigidity for low-vibration operation in shared lab environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VS 150 OI accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including Erlenmeyer flasks (50–5000 mL), culture tubes, deep-well plates, separation funnels, and Petri dishes—via interchangeable mounting accessories: adhesive pads (A000041), universal oscillating trays (A000047), and modular clamping fixtures compatible with LAUDA Hydro water baths. This cross-platform accessory ecosystem simplifies method transfer between thermal agitation platforms and supports multi-instrument validation protocols. All wetted surfaces are constructed from AISI 304 stainless steel, facilitating autoclaving of removable components and routine disinfection with ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor, or quaternary ammonium compounds. The instrument supports audit-ready operation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with compliant data acquisition software, providing electronic signatures, change history, and secure user access levels.

Software & Data Management

While the VS 150 OI operates autonomously via its embedded microcontroller, its RS232 port enables bidirectional communication with third-party PC applications for automated data capture. Users may log temperature, RPM, and timer status at user-defined intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds) and export CSV-formatted datasets for statistical analysis in MATLAB, Python (Pandas), or JMP. Firmware updates preserve calibration constants and retain user-defined alarm thresholds (high/low temperature limits). Optional LAUDA LabSoft software provides graphical trend visualization, alarm event tagging, and export-compatible reports aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements.

Applications

• Mammalian and insect cell line expansion under controlled O₂/CO₂-compatible conditions (when used with external gas mixing modules)
• High-yield recombinant protein production in E. coli and P. pastoris expression systems
• Enzyme kinetics studies requiring precise thermal ramping and sustained agitation
• Microbial growth curve analysis and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST)
• Hybridization and binding assay optimization in molecular diagnostics workflows
• Seed germination and plant tissue culture under photoperiod-independent thermal regimes

FAQ

Can the VS 150 OI operate below ambient temperature?
Yes—the integrated cooling coil enables stable operation down to 20 °C, provided ambient room temperature remains ≤25 °C and adequate ventilation is maintained around the rear heat exchanger.
Is the shaking platform removable for cleaning?
Yes—the stainless steel platform is secured with captive screws and can be detached without tools for thorough decontamination or replacement.
Does the instrument support GLP-compliant electronic record keeping?
When connected via RS232 to validated data acquisition software with 21 CFR Part 11 functionality, full audit trails—including operator ID, timestamped parameter changes, and alarm events—are generated and exportable.
What is the maximum flask size supported on a single platform?
A single 2 L Erlenmeyer flask (with proper clamping) or up to four 500 mL flasks may be accommodated per platform; total platform load must not exceed 20 kg.
Are calibration certificates available?
LAUDA provides optional factory-issued temperature and RPM calibration certificates traceable to DKD/DAkkS-accredited standards, including as-found/as-left data and uncertainty budgets.