Laboratory Shaker & Mixer

Shakers and mixers for laboratories are vital pieces of apparatus used in many scientific and medicinal applications. To accomplish a certain goal, they are made to shake, mix, blend, or agitate samples or substances. These are some typical applications for lab shakers and mixers:

Cell culture: Laboratory shakers are utilised to ensure optimal aeration and nutrient distribution in a controlled environment.
Chemical mixing: They are used for mixing reagents and chemicals for processes like PCR amplification of DNA.
Incubation: To maintain the same temperature and level of agitation for samples or cultures, shakers and mixers can be used.
Sample extraction: By shaking or combining with a solvent, these instruments can be used to remove chemicals from solid samples.

The types of laboratory shakers and mixers that are frequently produced are as follows:
Orbital shakers: Suitable for cultivating cells and blending reagents, these shakers rotate samples in a circular motion.
Magnetic stirrers are mixers that rotate a magnetic stir bar inside the sample using a magnetic field; they are frequently used to mix liquids.
Vortex mixers: These devices quickly move back and forth to combine or blend materials in small jars or tubes.
Horizontal shakers: They mix different samples in different vessels by moving back and forth horizontally.
Shakers that rock: These shakers combine and wash biological substances or agitate samples by tilting back and forth. They are perfect for staining processes.

In scientific and medical industries, laboratory mixers and shakers provide several benefits including:

Uniform mixing: They ensure that samples, reagents or cultures are fully and consistently blended, which helps to produce repeatable experiment findings.

Decreased manual labor: By automating the agitating and mixing processes, they reduce the need for repetitive manual labor and free up researchers to concentrate on other areas of their study.
Controlled conditions: Lab shakers and mixers offer regulated settings for chemical reactions, incubation of materials and cell culture, which enhances the precision and reliability of the outcomes of experiments. 

The following mixer types are typically utilized in scientific settings:

Orbital shakers: These are typically used in laboratory vessels to gently agitate various samples, mix reagents, and grow cells.
Magnetic stirrers: These mixers, which are commonly used for liquid mixing, rotate a stir bar inside the sample container using a magnetic field.
Vortex mixers: Use a quick back-and-forth motion to quickly mix or combine materials in tiny tubes or containers.

The particular needs of the applications and sample types in laboratory settings are taken into consideration while selecting these types of mixers.

The following stages are usually involved in maintaining and taking care of lab shakers and mixers:

Regular cleaning: To get rid of any leftover materials or samples, laboratory shakers and mixers should be cleaned after every usage. A mild detergent and water solution can be used for this, and it can then be fully rinsed and dried.

Lubrication: To ensure smooth functioning, certain shakers and mixers may need to have their moving parts lubricated on a regular basis. It's crucial to use the suggested lubricants and adhere to the instructions given by the manufacturer.

Calibration and inspection: To make sure shakers and mixers are operating properly, they must undergo periodic calibration and inspection. This might involve assessing the equipment's motion and speed in addition to searching for signs of wear or damage.

When using mixers and shakers in the laboratory, it's necessary to do general inspections.

Verify the stability of the shaker or mixer by making sure it is resting on a level, sturdy surface to avoid any mishaps or interruptions while in use.

Track speed and motion: To make sure the shaker or mixer is working as intended for the given application, track its speed and motion regularly.

It's crucial to abide by safety standards when using lab shakers to avoid accidents and protect lab staff members. Among the safety precautions to consider are:

Personal protection equipment: To ensure safety when handling chemicals and microbiological cultures, laboratory staff should wear the proper attire, safety gloves, and face masks.

Prompt action: As a safety measure, the shaker should be switched off, and inspected, and the power cut right away if there is smoke or burning.

These safety protocols are designed to lower the dangers connected to using laboratory shakers and safeguard staff members' health.