YiHeng THZ-15 / THZ-25 / THZ-35 / THZ-35C High-Performance Air-Jacketed Orbital Shaking Incubator

Overview

The YiHeng THZ-series high-performance air-jacketed orbital shaking incubators integrate precise temperature control with robust mechanical oscillation in a compact, space-efficient footprint. Engineered for continuous operation in cell culture, microbial growth, enzyme kinetics, and suspension-based bioprocessing applications, these units employ a forced-air circulation system combined with an insulated air jacket to ensure uniform thermal distribution across the chamber and platform surface. Unlike water-jacketed systems, the air-jacket design enables rapid temperature equilibration and eliminates risks associated with fluid leakage or condensation. The orbital motion—generated via a brushless DC motor with microprocessor-regulated feedback—delivers consistent, low-vibration agitation at speeds ranging from 40 to 500 rpm, supporting both gentle suspension of sensitive mammalian cells and vigorous aeration of bacterial cultures. Temperature stability is maintained within ±0.3°C across the working range (RT+5°C to 65°C), with extended low-temperature capability (down to 4°C under ambient cooling conditions) achieved through enhanced refrigeration efficiency and intelligent fan-speed modulation.

Key Features

• Integrated incubator-shaker architecture reduces lab footprint while maintaining independent control over thermal and mechanical parameters.
• Backlit LCD interface displays real-time temperature, rotational speed, and elapsed time with intuitive menu navigation—no programming expertise required.
• Brushless DC drive system ensures high starting torque, wide speed adjustability (40–500 rpm), zero maintenance, and >10,000 hours of continuous operational life.
• Double-walled air-jacket insulation minimizes external heat transfer and improves energy efficiency; fully compliant with global non-ozone-depleting refrigerant standards (R134a).
• Stainless steel 304 interior chamber and antimicrobial-coated aluminum platform resist corrosion and facilitate decontamination between runs.
• Comprehensive safety architecture includes door interlock (halts heating, airflow, and shaking upon opening), independent overtemperature cut-off, and programmable timer with auto-restart after power recovery.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The THZ-series accommodates standard multi-well plates (6–96-well), Erlenmeyer flasks (50–2000 mL), test tubes, and custom vessels mounted on the single-platform configuration. Its uniform temperature field and low-acceleration orbital motion support aerobic cultivation of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeast strains, insect and mammalian suspension cells (e.g., CHO, Sf9), and recombinant protein expression systems. Units comply with IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment safety and IEC 61326-1 for EMC performance. While not certified for ISO 13485 or FDA 21 CFR Part 11 out-of-the-box, the optional RS-485/USB data export interface supports audit-trail-capable integration into validated GLP/GMP environments when paired with compliant third-party software.

Software & Data Management

The built-in controller stores no historical data internally but provides real-time analog output and digital communication ports. With optional RS-485 or USB (U-disk) connectivity, users can log temperature, speed, and runtime parameters at user-defined intervals (1–60 sec resolution). Exported CSV files are compatible with Excel, MATLAB, and LIMS platforms. Firmware supports password-protected parameter locking to prevent unauthorized changes during unattended operation—a prerequisite for routine QC/QA workflows.

Applications

• Microbial growth curve analysis and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST)
• Suspension culture of CHO and HEK293 cells for transient transfection and bioproduction screening
• Enzymatic reaction kinetics under controlled thermal-agitation conditions
• Protein solubilization and buffer exchange in affinity chromatography pre-equilibration
• Fermentation optimization studies requiring precise O₂ transfer rates
• Environmental microbiology assays involving soil or water sample enrichment

FAQ

What is the minimum operating temperature when ambient conditions exceed 30°C?
The THZ-35C model achieves 4°C minimum setpoint only when ambient temperature is ≤25°C and relative humidity remains below 60%. Under higher ambient loads, the effective lower limit rises by ~1°C per 3°C ambient increase.
Can the unit maintain ±0.5°C temperature uniformity across a full 500-mL flask at 250 rpm?
Yes—validated uniformity is ±0.4°C at center-point loading under steady-state conditions (ISO 27677:2017 methodology), though edge-to-edge variation may reach ±0.8°C depending on vessel geometry and fill volume.
Is calibration traceable to NIST or other national standards?
Factory calibration uses PT100 sensors traceable to CNAS-accredited laboratories (China National Accreditation Service); end-user recalibration kits and service protocols are available upon request.
Does the shaker support orbital diameters other than 4 mm and 5 mm?
No—the mechanical drive mechanism is fixed at either 4 mm (THZ-15/25) or 5 mm (THZ-35/35C); no field-adjustable orbit option exists.
How is data integrity ensured during long-term unattended runs?
The controller implements EEPROM-based parameter retention and includes hardware-level watchdog timers to reset the system if firmware hangs—ensuring deterministic recovery without manual intervention.