SCILOGEX MX-S Adjustable-Speed Vortex Mixer

Overview

The SCILOGEX MX-S Adjustable-Speed Vortex Mixer is an orbital shaker engineered for precision mixing of biological and chemical samples in life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of orbital motion—driven by an eccentric drive mechanism—to generate consistent, reproducible vortexing across microcentrifuge tubes, culture vials, and small-volume containers. Unlike linear shakers or reciprocating mixers, the MX-S delivers uniform circular agitation with a 4 mm orbital diameter, ensuring efficient suspension of cells, homogenization of reagents, and resuspension of pellets without foaming or splashing under controlled conditions. Designed for ambient-temperature applications (operable between +5°C and 40°C), it is not a refrigerated or heated incubator shaker; rather, it serves as a dedicated, high-reliability vortexing platform for routine benchtop workflows in molecular biology, microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and analytical chemistry labs.

Key Features

• Continuously adjustable speed control from 0 to 2500 rpm via analog dial—enabling fine-tuned optimization for sensitive cell suspensions or viscous solutions.
• Eccentric ball-bearing drive system ensures mechanical stability and long-term rotational consistency at high speeds, minimizing vibration transmission to the work surface.
• Compact footprint (127 × 130 × 160 mm) and low mass (3.5 kg) facilitate integration into crowded biosafety cabinets, cold rooms, or shared instrumentation benches.
• Silicone rubber base provides enhanced damping and slip resistance—critical when operating at maximum speed with unbalanced tube loads.
• Quick-release platform design allows tool-free attachment and removal of interchangeable vortex heads—including universal cup adapters, Eppendorf-compatible holders, and deep-well plate carriers (sold separately).
• IP21-rated enclosure protects internal electronics from vertically falling drips and solid objects >12.5 mm—suitable for standard wet-lab environments compliant with IEC 60529.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MX-S accommodates tubes ranging from 0.5 mL to 15 mL microcentrifuge formats, as well as cylindrical vessels up to 99 mm in diameter—including glass test tubes, PCR strip tubes, and 24-/48-well microplates (with appropriate adapter). Its orbital motion profile meets common requirements for ISO 15197:2013 (in vitro diagnostic devices) sample preparation steps and supports GLP-aligned workflows where traceable, repeatable mixing is required. While not certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its analog control architecture avoids software-based audit trail dependencies—making it suitable for non-regulated or early-stage R&D environments where simplicity and reliability are prioritized over electronic recordkeeping.

Software & Data Management

The MX-S is a standalone, hardware-controlled instrument with no embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or connectivity options (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet). Speed is manually set and maintained without digital feedback loops or real-time monitoring. This analog architecture eliminates calibration drift associated with sensor-based controllers and reduces failure points—ideal for laboratories maintaining legacy equipment fleets or adhering to minimal-computing infrastructure policies. No proprietary software, drivers, or cloud services are required for operation or maintenance.

Applications

• Resuspension of bacterial or yeast cell pellets post-centrifugation.
• Homogenization of immunoassay reagents and ELISA coating buffers.
• Preparation of serial dilutions and master mixes for qPCR and NGS library construction.
• Mixing of viscous samples such as glycerol stocks, agarose gels, or protein lysates prior to electrophoresis.
• Equilibration of enzyme-substrate reactions requiring gentle yet thorough agitation.
• Supporting ASTM D7217-16 (Standard Practice for Mixing Liquid Samples in Clinical Laboratories) protocols for specimen homogenization prior to automated analyzers.

FAQ

Is the MX-S compatible with refrigerated or CO₂ incubators?
No—the MX-S is rated for ambient operation only (5–40°C) and lacks environmental sealing or condensation-resistant components required for incubator use.
Does the unit include a timer or auto-shutoff function?
No—it supports continuous operation only; external timers or manual supervision are required for time-limited protocols.
Can the MX-S accommodate 50-mL conical tubes?
Not directly—the maximum supported vessel diameter is 99 mm, but standard 50-mL conical tubes exceed optimal balance thresholds at >1500 rpm; use with caution and verify mechanical stability.
What safety certifications does the MX-S carry?
It complies with EN 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment and carries CE marking for the European Economic Area.
Is calibration documentation available?
As an analog, non-measuring device (i.e., no traceable speed sensor), formal calibration certificates are not provided; however, users may validate rpm output using an external optical tachometer per internal SOPs.