LAUDA Varioshake VS 60 OI Orbital Incubator Shaker

Overview

The LAUDA Varioshake VS 60 OI is a high-precision orbital incubator shaker engineered for demanding life science applications requiring simultaneous temperature control and reproducible orbital motion. Designed and manufactured in Germany, this dual-shelf incubator shaker employs a robust hydrodynamic orbital drive system—distinct from reciprocating or linear shaking—to deliver uniform, low-shear agitation ideal for microbial culture expansion, protein expression, cell suspension maintenance, and biochemical assay development. Its 68 L stainless steel chamber (450 × 450 × 338 mm internal dimensions) supports scalable cultivation across multiple vessel formats, while the integrated water-cooling-ready architecture extends operational flexibility down to 20 °C—enabling precise thermoregulation for mesophilic and psychrotolerant strains alike. Temperature stability of ±0.2 °C is maintained via a dual-stage PID controller paired with an independent electromechanical safety limiter, ensuring compliance with GLP and ISO 17025 environmental monitoring requirements during extended runs.

Key Features

• Orbital shaking motion with adjustable frequency (20–250 rpm) and fixed 30 mm amplitude—optimized for homogeneous mixing without foaming or shear-induced cell damage
• Dual-tier stainless steel platform design (two independently accessible shelves), each rated for up to 12 kg total load
• Microprocessor-based digital control system with LED display, 0.1 °C temperature resolution, and intuitive membrane keypad with icon-driven navigation
• Programmable timer (1 minute to 999 hours) with countdown display and audible end-of-run alert
• Hinged acrylic viewing window with integrated interior LED illumination for real-time sample observation without thermal disturbance
• Automatic safety interlock: vibration and heating suspend immediately upon door opening
• RS232 serial interface for remote parameter logging, firmware updates, and integration into centralized lab data management systems
• Electro-galvanized steel housing with powder-coated finish; corrosion-resistant stainless steel interior, door liner, and platform surfaces
• Thermally isolated cooling coil port compatible with external chiller units for sub-ambient operation (20–70 °C range)
• Overload-protected AC motor with dynamic mass-balancing mechanism—ensures constant rotational speed regardless of load distribution

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VS 60 OI accommodates a broad range of laboratory vessels—including Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 5 L), culture tubes, microtiter plates, Petri dishes, separatory funnels, and custom bioreactor vessels—via interchangeable LAUDA-certified accessories: adhesive pads (A000041), universal orbital trays (A000049), and oscillation-specific carriers (A000045). All trays mount securely onto the perforated stainless steel platform using standardized clamping fixtures, enabling rapid reconfiguration between experiments. The instrument conforms to IEC 61010-1 (safety of laboratory equipment), EN 61326-1 (EMC), and meets essential requirements for use in ISO 13485-certified medical device manufacturing environments. Optional audit trail configuration supports FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when connected to validated LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

While the VS 60 OI operates autonomously via its embedded microcontroller, the RS232 interface enables bidirectional communication with third-party software such as LAUDA’s optional LabSoft suite or generic SCADA-compatible tools. Users may log real-time temperature, setpoint, elapsed time, and alarm status at configurable intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds). Data export is supported in CSV format for downstream statistical analysis in MATLAB, Python (Pandas), or JMP. Firmware updates preserve calibration integrity and include version-stamped change logs traceable to ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards. No proprietary drivers are required—standard terminal emulation (e.g., PuTTY) suffices for basic diagnostics and parameter backup.

Applications

• High-yield recombinant protein production in E. coli and yeast cultures under controlled aeration and thermal profiles
• Long-term aerobic fermentation studies requiring uninterrupted 72+ hour operation at 37 °C with ±0.2 °C drift
• Cell line expansion for monoclonal antibody development, where orbital motion minimizes aggregate formation vs. vortexing
• Environmental microbiology assays involving soil slurry homogenization or waterborne pathogen enrichment
• Enzyme kinetics experiments requiring precise temperature ramping (e.g., 25 → 37 → 45 °C) synchronized with timed agitation cycles
• Quality control testing of sterile filtration media and growth supplement efficacy under GMP-aligned conditions

FAQ

Does the VS 60 OI support programming of multi-step temperature ramps?
No—the unit features single-setpoint PID control only. For gradient protocols, external programmable chillers or staged manual intervention is required.
Can the shaker operate continuously for >1000 hours?
Yes—designed for unattended 24/7 operation; thermal management and motor duty cycle are validated per DIN EN 60068-2-2 for continuous service at 37 °C.
Is the RS232 interface compatible with modern Windows/macOS systems?
Yes—requires a USB-to-serial adapter (FTDI chipset recommended); ASCII command protocol documentation is available under NDA from LAUDA Technical Support.
What is the maximum flask size supported on the upper shelf?
Two 5 L Erlenmeyer flasks (with standard neck geometry) can be accommodated simultaneously using the A000049 universal tray.
Are calibration certificates included with shipment?
Factory calibration reports (temperature uniformity, setpoint accuracy, timer deviation) are provided; UKAS-accredited calibration is available as an add-on service.