Thermo Scientific Cimarec i Compact and Cimarec i Maxi Magnetic Stirrers

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Cimarec i Compact and Cimarec i Maxi magnetic stirrers are precision-engineered laboratory instruments designed for reliable, reproducible mixing under demanding thermal and chemical conditions. Based on the principle of rotating magnetic fields generated by a high-efficiency permanent magnet array beneath a thermally stable ceramic-coated aluminum plate, these stirrers induce controlled rotational motion in PTFE- or glass-coated magnetic stirring bars immersed in sample vessels. Unlike conventional hotplate stirrers with exposed heating elements, the Cimarec i series integrates temperature regulation via Peltier-based active cooling and resistive heating—enabling bidirectional thermal control from –10 °C to +56 °C. This capability supports applications requiring sub-ambient stabilization (e.g., enzymatic reactions, volatile solvent handling) as well as precise warming without overshoot. The system’s all-stainless-steel monocoque construction—fabricated from corrosion-resistant, electropolished AISI 316L-equivalent alloy—ensures long-term integrity in aggressive chemical environments (including concentrated acids, bases, and organic solvents) and facilitates compliance with GLP cleaning validation protocols.

Key Features

• IP68-rated enclosure: Fully dust-tight and submersible up to 1 m for 30 minutes—validated for continuous operation inside water baths at ≤50 °C.
• Seamless stainless-steel housing: No seams, crevices, or gaskets to harbor microbial biofilm or chemical residue; compatible with autoclaving of external surfaces and routine ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom wiping procedures.
• Dual-mode thermal control: Peltier module enables active cooling below ambient, while integrated resistive heating ensures ±0.3 °C stability at setpoints across the full –10 °C to +56 °C range (load-dependent).
• High-torque motor architecture: Delivers consistent rotational force across the entire speed range—130–1400 rpm (Cimarec i Compact) and 100–2000 rpm (Cimarec i Maxi)—with <2% speed deviation under full load (5 L aqueous solution, 40 mm stir bar).
• Modular controller compatibility: Telemodul 20 C provides analog power adjustment and local setpoint control; Telemodul 40 C adds digital PID tuning, real-time parameter logging, RS232 serial output, and full remote operation via ASCII command protocol.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Cimarec i platforms accommodate standard laboratory glassware (e.g., beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, jacketed reactors) with diameters from 30 mm to 180 mm. Stirring efficiency is optimized for Newtonian and mildly shear-thinning fluids (viscosity range: 1–500 mPa·s); non-Newtonian or highly viscous samples (>1000 mPa·s) require empirical calibration using standardized glycerol/water mixtures per ASTM D2196. The devices conform to IEC 61010-1:2010 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), EN 61326-1:2013 (EMC for Laboratory Instruments), and carry CE, UKCA, and cULus marks. When operated with Telemodul 40 C and validated firmware, audit trails, electronic signatures, and data export meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for regulated QC/QA environments.

Software & Data Management

Telemodul 40 C supports native ASCII communication over RS232 at 9600 baud (8N1), enabling integration into LIMS or custom Python/Matlab acquisition scripts. Logged parameters include actual speed (rpm), plate temperature (°C), setpoint temperature (°C), elapsed time, and error codes (e.g., “Overtemp,” “StirBarLost”). All data are timestamped with millisecond resolution and stored in CSV format with configurable sampling intervals (1 s to 60 s). Firmware v2.4+ implements cryptographic hash verification for configuration files and supports role-based access control (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator) to enforce procedural integrity during method execution.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical formulation development: pH-adjusted buffer preparation under inert atmosphere (N₂-purged vessels) with simultaneous temperature stabilization during dissolution testing.
• Materials science synthesis: Controlled co-precipitation of metal oxide nanoparticles where reaction kinetics depend critically on both mixing homogeneity and thermal history.
• Clinical microbiology: Anaerobic culture media equilibration at 37 °C with dissolved oxygen suppression, followed by rapid chilling to 4 °C for transport preservation.
• Environmental analysis: Standardized extraction of PAHs from soil matrices using Soxhlet-compatible reflux setups with integrated cold-finger condensation.
• Academic research: Multi-step organometallic catalysis requiring sequential addition of reagents under strict thermal sequencing (e.g., –5 °C addition → ramp to 25 °C → hold 2 h → cool to 0 °C).

FAQ

Can the Cimarec i operate continuously inside a circulating water bath?
Yes—its IP68 rating and Peltier-based thermal design permit uninterrupted use in water baths maintained at ≤50 °C. Ensure bath fluid is deionized or inhibited to prevent galvanic corrosion of the stainless-steel base.
Is RS232 connectivity available on both models?
Only the Telemodul 40 C controller—standard with Cimarec i Maxi and optional for Cimarec i Compact—provides RS232. Telemodul 20 C is analog-only.
What is the minimum vessel bottom thickness supported for effective magnetic coupling?
Glass or quartz vessels ≤12 mm thick and ceramic plates ≤6 mm thick ensure optimal torque transfer. For thicker or ferromagnetic substrates, contact Thermo Fisher Technical Support for stir bar selection guidance.
Does the system support external temperature probe feedback for jacketed reactor control?
No—the built-in Pt100 sensor measures only plate surface temperature. For reactor core temperature feedback, integrate a separate programmable temperature controller with analog output (0–10 V) to modulate the Cimarec i’s setpoint via Telemodul 40 C’s analog input port.
How is calibration traceability maintained for regulatory submissions?
Thermo Fisher provides NIST-traceable factory calibration certificates (temperature ±0.2 °C, speed ±5 rpm) with optional annual recalibration services aligned to ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories.