Before the invention of mixers and shakers, hand shaking a sample was the only way to mix it. Nowadays, mixers and shakers provide a much more efficient and reliable way to homogenize samples before testing. These instruments are used in many industries, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and beverages, as well as in laboratories for wastewater treatment, biotechnology, pathology, and life sciences. Mixers and shakers are essential tools for any laboratory that requires homogenization of samples before testing.
Laboratory mixers and shakers include orbital shakers, vortexes, rollers, and rotators. Here in this blog we will discuss here about the considerations for purchasing laboratory mixers & shakers and share details of a few essential Mixers and Shakers for your laboratory. With the right laboratory mixers and shakers, laboratories can ensure that their experiments are conducted with accuracy and precision.
Considerations for purchasing laboratory mixers and shakers
When it comes to laboratory mixers and shakers, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right machine. The first step is to decide whether you need a mixer or a shaker.
If it’s a shaker, you should look at the vibration speed, how adjustable the speed is, and if the plate tilts as well as vibrates.
For mixers, there are several features to compare, such as the container capacity, speed of mixing, variability of speed, liquid viscosity it can handle, and horsepower.
Additionally, you should consider if you will be using a mixer that comes with a container or if you need a mount to put it on your existing containers.
Oribital Shakers
Shakers offer the option of either Orbital or Linear motion, with orbital diameters of 10mm or 20mm. This orbital feature allows for improved distribution of low-volume samples, making them ideal for bacterial cell growth, dissolution studies, staining of electrophoresis gels and blots, and accommodating microcentrifuge tubes, microplates, and gel trays, as well as larger Erlenmeyer flasks. For bacterial incubations, higher speed orbital shakers are recommended to keep cells in suspension, providing optimal growth conditions. Additionally, small-scale bacterial growth studies can benefit from shakers with small footprints, which can be placed in an incubator to promote growth.
Vortexes
Vortexers contrast from orbital shakers in that they move in a round movement. When tubes interact with cushion, the movement is exchanged with the fluid, forming a vortex. This vortex is useful for blending and cell suspension, offering speed and consistency that cannot be achieved manually. Vortexers come with various attachments for microcentrifuge tubes, 96 well plates, and flasks.
Rollers
Tube rollers are designed to provide gentle mixing of collection or conical tubes, ensuring the best diagnostic results. The rollers hold specimen tubes in a stationary horizontal position and rotate them between rotors. This is especially beneficial for clinical laboratories, medical research, and physician offices, where the risk of a spilled tube could be hazardous. Additionally, the rollers can be used to add preservatives or stabilizers to the tubes.
Rotators
Rotators are devices that move in a circular motion around an axis. Historically, these devices were designed to be parallel to the work surface, and were used for the rotation of samples. However, modern rotators are arranged in a wheel orientation, allowing each sample to achieve a full 360° rotation, thus providing more force and sample dispersion. Rotators are commonly used in molecular biology, clinical testing, and biochemical laboratories for sample mixing.
When deciding on the equipment to bring into the laboratory, it is important to consider the application objectives, test size, type, and volume. It is important to determine the ideal course and speed of the movement for the specimen types that are being processed. With the right considerations, the right equipment can be chosen to ensure accurate results.
At Accumax, we understand that selecting the right equipment for homogenization is an important task. We want to make life easier for our customers, so we have a team of trained professionals who are ready to assist them throughout the entire selection process. We are here to help make the choice easier, so you can focus on the more important things in life.
Get in touch with us for more information on shakers, vortexes, Rotators, Rollers and other laboratory solutions. Our experienced team is always on hand to help you find the right product for your laboratory.
Aanak Goswami
12+ Years of experience in generating growth for organisations. Having customer management skills with experience of Research, Institutional, clinical diagnostics, Healthcare and Biopharma customers.
