OHAUS Achiever 5000™ Overhead Stirrer
| Brand | OHAUS |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | Achiever 5000 Overhead Stirrer |
| Instrument Type | Electric Overhead Stirrer |
| Maximum Mixing Volume | 25–100 L (water-equivalent) |
| Speed Range | 30–2000 rpm |
| Temperature Operating Range | 5 °C – 40 °C |
Overview
The OHAUS Achiever 5000™ Overhead Stirrer is an engineered solution for precise, reproducible, and scalable mixing in research laboratories, quality control environments, and pilot-scale development workflows. Designed around Couette flow principles—where rotational motion induces controlled shear within viscous or heterogeneous media—the Achiever 5000 delivers consistent torque transmission across variable rheological conditions. Its brushless DC motor architecture eliminates carbon brush wear, enabling silent, maintenance-free operation over extended duty cycles. The unit operates within a defined ambient temperature envelope (5–40 °C), making it suitable for use inside climate-controlled enclosures, cold rooms, or standard benchtop settings—provided environmental condensation and dust ingress are mitigated per IP54-rated enclosure specifications.
Key Features
- Torque-Compensated Speed Control: Advanced closed-loop feedback adjusts motor output in real time to maintain set speed under changing load conditions—critical when transitioning between low-viscosity solvents and high-viscosity polymer solutions or suspensions.
- IP54-Rated Enclosure: Dust-protected and splash-resistant housing meets IEC 60529 standards, supporting safe operation in environments where incidental liquid exposure or particulate generation occurs (e.g., buffer preparation, catalyst dispersion, or emulsion synthesis).
- Ergonomic Suspension Chuck: A one-handed, tool-free collet mechanism allows rapid interchange of impellers—including propeller, anchor, paddle, and helical types—without compromising concentricity or axial alignment.
- Programmable Safety Lock: User-defined speed lock prevents inadvertent parameter changes during active mixing; integrated overload detection halts rotation before thermal or mechanical stress exceeds design limits, preserving both sample integrity and drive train longevity.
- Digital Interface with Backlit LCD: High-contrast display shows real-time rpm, elapsed time, and system status. Rotary encoder dial enables intuitive, tactile speed adjustment with 1-rpm resolution across the full 30–2000 rpm range.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Achiever 5000 supports mixing of aqueous, organic, and semi-aqueous systems—including suspensions, colloids, gels, and Newtonian/non-Newtonian fluids—within vessels ranging from 500 mL jacketed reactors to 100 L stainless steel tanks. It complies with UL 61010-1 and CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous locations, its sealed electronics and grounded chassis support use in general-purpose Class I, Division 2 environments when installed per local electrical codes. For regulated industries (pharmaceuticals, biologics, food), audit-ready operation is enabled through optional logging accessories compatible with 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data capture platforms.
Software & Data Management
Standalone operation requires no software; however, the Achiever 5000 features an RS-232 port for integration into centralized lab management systems. When paired with OHAUS LabConnect™ software (sold separately), users can log speed profiles, timestamped run sessions, and fault events—supporting GLP/GMP documentation requirements. Export formats include CSV and PDF, facilitating traceability across batch records and deviation investigations. Firmware updates are delivered via USB interface, ensuring long-term compatibility with evolving regulatory expectations.
Applications
- Preparation of homogeneous cell culture media and sterile buffers under aseptic hood conditions
- Dispersion of nanomaterials (e.g., graphene oxide, metal oxides) in surfactant-stabilized aqueous phases
- Emulsification of oil-in-water formulations for cosmetic and pharmaceutical dosage forms
- Mixing of high-solids slurries in battery electrode slurry development (e.g., NMC, LFP cathode pastes)
- Controlled dissolution testing per USP and ASTM D2240 protocols using standardized impeller geometry
FAQ
What vessel sizes are supported by the Achiever 5000 series?
The system accommodates vessels from 0.5 L to 100 L capacity, with optimal performance observed between 5 L and 50 L depending on impeller type, fluid viscosity, and required shear rate.
Is the unit compatible with jacketed reactors requiring external temperature control?
Yes—its ambient operating range (5–40 °C) permits integration with circulating chillers or heating mantles, provided the stirrer head remains outside the thermal envelope and shaft seals are rated for expected process temperatures.
Can speed profiles be programmed for multi-stage mixing protocols?
Not natively—the Achiever 5000 operates in manual mode only. For programmable ramping or stepwise sequences, integration with third-party PLCs or OHAUS LabConnect™ software is required.
What impeller mounting standards does the suspension chuck accept?
It accepts ISO 228/1 parallel-shank rods up to 16 mm diameter, with clamping force optimized for shaft lengths between 150 mm and 600 mm.
Does the device meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for shared lab instrumentation?
Yes—it conforms to EN 61326-1:2013 for laboratory equipment, minimizing radiated and conducted emissions that could interfere with adjacent analytical instruments such as balances, pH meters, or spectrophotometers.
