TAITEC eB-ShakerUnit Mini Circulating Water Bath with Oscillation

Overview

The TAITEC eB-ShakerUnit is a compact, modular oscillating water bath engineered for precise temperature-controlled agitation of small-volume samples in molecular biology, enzymology, and microbiological applications. Unlike conventional static incubators or standalone shakers, the eB-ShakerUnit integrates seamlessly with TAITEC’s E-Bucket series—specifically the EIB, ECB, and ETB models—to convert a standard heated aluminum bath into a fully functional reciprocating oscillation system. Its operational principle relies on controlled mechanical displacement of a spring-grid platform immersed in a thermally stabilized water medium, enabling uniform heat transfer and consistent mixing dynamics across microcentrifuge tubes, PCR strips, and other low-capacity vessels. Designed for laboratories requiring reproducible thermal-mechanical conditioning—such as post-transformation bacterial recovery, ligase or kinase reaction optimization, and antigen-antibody equilibration—the unit delivers stable temperature maintenance (via the host E-Bucket’s heating system) alongside tunable agitation intensity without compromising sample integrity or thermal homogeneity.

Key Features

• Modular integration: Installs directly onto compatible TAITEC E-Bucket units (EIB/ECB/ETB), transforming them into oscillating water baths without hardware modification or external controllers.
• Spring-grid oscillation platform: Precision-engineered stainless-steel spring mesh provides optimal spacing for 0.2–2.0 mL tubes; accommodates heterogeneous tube formats while minimizing cross-contamination risk.
• Five-step height adjustment: Platform elevation is adjustable in 1 cm increments (total range: 5 cm), enabling fine-tuned immersion depth control for varying vessel heights and meniscus positioning.
• Integrated power routing: Rear-mounted auxiliary socket allows daisy-chaining of the host E-Bucket’s power supply through the eB-ShakerUnit—reducing cable clutter and simplifying benchtop setup. Note: Power interruption to the eB-ShakerUnit does not cut power to the host bath unit.
• Expandable configuration: Optional PCA-01 mounting kit enables secure attachment to Thermo Minder C-type plastic water baths (sold separately), extending compatibility beyond aluminum-based systems while maintaining thermal stability up to +70°C.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The eB-ShakerUnit supports standard microtubes (0.2 mL, 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, 2.0 mL), PCR plates, and strip tubes commonly used in nucleic acid manipulation and protein biochemistry workflows. Its low-amplitude (10 mm), variable-speed (30–150 rpm) reciprocating motion ensures gentle yet effective suspension of sensitive biological suspensions—including chemically competent E. coli cells during recovery phases—without inducing shear-induced lysis or foaming. While the device itself carries no standalone regulatory certification, its use within validated laboratory processes aligns with GLP and GMP frameworks when operated in conjunction with TAITEC E-Bucket systems compliant with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use). No CE marking is affixed to the eB-ShakerUnit as a component; final system compliance rests with the integrated host unit configuration.

Software & Data Management

The eB-ShakerUnit operates as a hardware-only module with no embedded firmware, display interface, or digital connectivity. Temperature regulation and timing are managed entirely by the host E-Bucket controller (e.g., EIB’s digital PID thermostat). As such, it introduces zero software validation burden—making it suitable for regulated environments where instrument qualification must avoid complex electronic audit trails. Users record operational parameters (speed, duration, setpoint) manually or via external loggers. For labs implementing 21 CFR Part 11-compliant workflows, all settings and usage logs must be documented outside the device, consistent with Annex 11 and ALCOA+ data integrity principles.

Applications

• Post-transformation bacterial recovery: Controlled oscillation at 37°C enhances plating efficiency during heat-shock protocols.
• Enzymatic reaction kinetics: Uniform agitation improves substrate-enzyme contact in restriction digests, phosphorylations, and ligations.
• Antibody-antigen binding assays: Facilitates equilibrium establishment in ELISA prep steps and epitope mapping experiments.
• Cell culture pre-incubation: Supports gentle resuspension of thawed primary cells prior to seeding.
• Reagent equilibration: Rapid thermal homogenization of master mixes, buffers, and lyophilized reagents before downstream use.

FAQ

Is the eB-ShakerUnit compatible with the EFB model?
No. The EFB series lacks the necessary mechanical interface and power coupling design; only EIB, ECB, and ETB units are supported.
Can the oscillation speed be programmed or stored?
No. Speed is adjusted manually via the host E-Bucket’s front-panel dial; no memory or preset functionality is provided.
What is the maximum water volume the platform can accommodate?
The unit itself does not define water capacity; volume is determined by the host E-Bucket’s aluminum bath or the Thermo Minder C-type bath when used with PCA-01.
Does the spring grid require periodic replacement?
Under normal laboratory use and proper cleaning (e.g., 70% ethanol wipe-down after each run), the stainless-steel spring grid exhibits long-term mechanical stability with no scheduled replacement interval.
Can this unit be used for continuous operation over 24 hours?
Yes—provided ambient conditions remain within +5°C to +35°C and the host E-Bucket’s thermal management system is functioning per specifications.