MKN SHA-C Water Bath Orbital Shaker

Overview

The MKN SHA-C Water Bath Orbital Shaker is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for temperature-controlled agitation of liquid samples in glass or plastic vessels. It operates on the principle of reciprocating (linear) motion within a thermostatically regulated water bath environment—enabling uniform heat transfer and consistent mechanical stimulation across biological, biochemical, and microbiological samples. Unlike orbital shakers with air-jacketed chambers, this unit employs direct water immersion for superior thermal homogeneity and minimal temperature gradient (<0.5 °C across chamber volume under steady-state conditions). Its stainless steel 304 construction ensures corrosion resistance against aqueous media and repeated sterilization cycles, making it suitable for long-term use in GLP-compliant laboratories, academic research facilities, and quality control environments where reproducibility and regulatory traceability are critical.

Key Features

• High-stability temperature control system with PID algorithm and ±1 °C accuracy across the full 20–100 °C operating range (ambient start-up supported)
• Digitally adjustable speed control from 0 to 300 rpm, offering fine-tuned optimization for sensitive cell cultures or viscous media
• Programmable mechanical timer (0–120 minutes) with auto-shutdown functionality to prevent over-incubation or thermal drift
• 20 mm linear oscillation amplitude engineered for efficient mixing without excessive shear stress on microbial or mammalian cells
• Large-capacity stainless steel water bath (≥490 × 390 × 170 mm internal dimensions) accommodating up to twelve 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks or equivalent multi-vessel configurations
• 2000 W high-efficiency heating element enabling rapid temperature ramping and stable setpoint maintenance even at 100 °C
• Universal spring-loaded stainless steel clamping system compatible with round-bottom flasks, test tubes, centrifuge tubes, and custom vessel geometries

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SHA-C supports standard laboratory consumables including borosilicate glass flasks (50–1000 mL), polypropylene culture bottles, and silicone-sealed reaction vessels. Its water bath design eliminates convective air currents that may desiccate sample surfaces—critical for extended microbial growth studies or enzyme kinetics assays. The instrument complies with GB/T 26571–2011 for laboratory shaking incubators and meets baseline electrical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant (as it lacks electronic audit trail or user authentication), its analog/digital hybrid interface permits integration into validated workflows when paired with external data loggers meeting ISO/IEC 17025 calibration protocols. Routine verification per ASTM E2500–22 (Verification of Laboratory Equipment) is recommended for GMP-regulated applications.

Software & Data Management

The SHA-C operates via an integrated LED digital controller with independent knobs for temperature, speed, and timer—designed for intuitive, glove-compatible operation in biosafety cabinets or cleanroom environments. No proprietary software is required; however, optional RS-485 serial output (available upon request) enables connection to SCADA systems or third-party environmental monitoring platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Honeywell Experion) for centralized parameter logging. All operational parameters—including real-time temperature, actual RPM, elapsed time, and error codes—are displayed simultaneously. Calibration certificates traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China) are provided with each unit, supporting ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements for accredited testing laboratories.

Applications

This shaker is routinely deployed in microbial fermentation optimization, recombinant protein expression in E. coli or yeast, antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) analysis, immunoassay plate washing pre-incubation, and plant tissue culture medium equilibration. Its precise thermal-agitation coupling makes it especially valuable for kinetic studies requiring simultaneous temperature ramping and mixing—such as thermal denaturation profiling of DNA-binding proteins or lipase activity assays across physiological temperature gradients. In food safety labs, it supports standardized AOAC 977.27 enrichment protocols for Salmonella and Listeria. Environmental testing labs utilize it for EPA Method 1681 compliance in wastewater coliform enumeration.

FAQ

What is the maximum load capacity of the SHA-C water bath shaker?
The unit supports a total payload of up to 15 kg distributed evenly across the platform—sufficient for twelve 500 mL flasks filled to 75% capacity.
Can the SHA-C be used for continuous operation beyond 120 minutes?
Yes—the timer is bypassable via manual override; for unattended extended runs, users should verify bath water level and replenish distilled water as needed to prevent heater dry-firing.
Is the stainless steel bath resistant to sodium azide or other common antimicrobial agents?
Stainless steel 304 exhibits excellent resistance to dilute azide solutions (<0.1% w/v); prolonged exposure to concentrated biocides requires post-use rinsing with deionized water.
Does the instrument include over-temperature and motor overload protection?
Yes—dual independent thermal cutoffs (bath sensor + heater surface sensor) and current-limiting circuitry prevent thermal runaway or coil burnout under stall conditions.
What calibration documentation is supplied with the unit?
Each shipment includes a factory calibration report listing as-tested values for temperature uniformity (at 37 °C and 60 °C), speed accuracy (at 100/200/300 rpm), and timer deviation—all verified against NIM-traceable standards.