Ottescience SWB-2000 Water Bath Shaker

Overview

The Ottescience SWB-2000 Water Bath Shaker is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for simultaneous temperature-controlled incubation and orbital agitation of aqueous samples in tubes, flasks, or microplates. It operates on the principle of water-jacketed thermal regulation combined with mechanical horizontal reciprocating motion—enabling uniform heat transfer and consistent mixing across heterogeneous biological or chemical reaction systems. Unlike air-based incubators, the water bath medium ensures superior thermal stability, minimal gradient formation, and enhanced reproducibility for time-sensitive protocols such as enzyme kinetics, cell suspension culture, solubility testing, and reagent equilibration. The unit integrates a PID-controlled heating system with real-time feedback, delivering rapid thermal response and sub-degree stability—critical for applications requiring strict adherence to ISO/IEC 17025-compliant environmental conditioning.

Key Features

• PID-controlled digital temperature regulation with ±0.2°C accuracy across the full range (ambient +5°C to 100°C), minimizing overshoot and drift during extended operation.
• Dual 4-digit LED display showing both setpoint and real-time bath temperature—enabling immediate verification without manual calibration checks.
• Adjustable oscillation frequency (40–150 rpm) and programmable timer (10–90 minutes), supporting protocol-specific agitation profiles without external controllers.
• 18 mm horizontal oscillation amplitude optimized for efficient mixing of standard culture vessels while maintaining mechanical stability under load.
• Integrated magnetic stirrer activated during non-agitation periods—ensuring homogeneous temperature distribution throughout the 20 L water reservoir, eliminating cold spots near heater elements.
• Angled lid design prevents condensation accumulation and subsequent droplet contamination of sample containers—a critical consideration for sterile or low-volume assays.
• Over-temperature safety cutoff (factory-set at setpoint +10°C, user-modifiable) coupled with automatic power disconnection safeguards against thermal runaway and sample degradation.
• Front-panel micro-switch interface allows precise 0.1°C incremental adjustments—eliminating reliance on external thermometers or software interfaces for routine calibration refinement.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SWB-2000 accommodates a wide range of vessel formats via interchangeable racks—including 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, 100–500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, multi-well plates (with optional adapter), and custom glassware up to 300 mm height. Its stainless-steel bath chamber and corrosion-resistant aluminum frame comply with ISO 13485 material requirements for Class I laboratory equipment. While not certified for GLP/GMP environments out-of-the-box, the device supports audit-ready operation when paired with external logging tools: its analog temperature output (0–5 V DC) enables integration with validated data acquisition systems compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements. All electrical components meet IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory use, and thermal insulation conforms to EN 60529 IP20 ingress protection specifications.

Software & Data Management

The SWB-2000 operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded firmware or network connectivity. However, its analog voltage output (proportional to bath temperature) and relay-triggered status signals (agitation ON/OFF, over-temp alarm) are compatible with third-party data loggers—including Campbell Scientific CR1000X, Omega OM-DAQPRO-5300, and LabVIEW-based DAQ platforms. Users may configure continuous temperature logging at 1-second intervals, synchronized with agitation start/stop events, to generate ALCOA+ compliant records for method validation or regulatory submissions. Optional RS-485 expansion modules (sold separately) enable Modbus RTU communication for centralized lab management systems operating under ISO/IEC 17025 quality frameworks.

Applications

• Microbial growth studies requiring precise temperature maintenance during shaking (e.g., ASTM D5766 for biodegradation kinetics).
• Protein solubilization and buffer equilibration prior to HPLC or electrophoresis analysis.
• Cell suspension culture of suspension-adapted mammalian lines (e.g., CHO, Sf9) in serum-free media.
• Extraction efficiency optimization in solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid partitioning workflows.
• Standardization of dissolution testing per USP using water-bath agitated vessels.
• Thermal pre-conditioning of polymer solutions prior to rheological characterization.

FAQ

Is the SWB-2000 suitable for use with volatile organic solvents?
No. The water bath design is intended exclusively for aqueous or water-miscible media. Organic solvents pose fire hazards and may degrade seals or cause inaccurate temperature readings due to differing thermal conductivity.
Can multiple temperature zones be controlled independently?
No. The SWB-2000 features a single-zone water bath; it does not support multi-compartment or gradient temperature control.
What is the maximum load capacity for the platform?
The shaker platform supports up to 5 kg evenly distributed weight. Exceeding this limit may compromise oscillation uniformity and long-term bearing integrity.
Does the unit include a certificate of conformance or calibration report?
A factory-issued CoC is provided with each unit. NIST-traceable calibration certificates are available upon request at additional cost and require 5–7 business days for issuance.
Is remote monitoring or control possible?
Not natively. Remote functionality requires integration with external DAQ hardware and software capable of interpreting the analog voltage output and relay status signals.