Benchmark Incu-Shakerโข CO2 Mini Shaking Incubator
Quote
The Incu-Shakerโข CO2 Mini Shaking Incubator delivers optimal conditions for suspension cell culture by combining precision CO2 control with gentle orbital shaking in a compact 46-liter chamber. Featuring a dual beam infrared CO2 sensor with 0-20% range and ยฑ0.1% accuracy, this specialized incubator maintains ideal atmospheric conditions for mammalian cell lines, hybridoma production, and stem cell research. The proprietary six-side heating technology ensures exceptional temperature uniformity of ยฑ0.5ยฐC throughout the stainless steel 316 chamber, while the low-speed internal fan circulates air without external exchange, minimizing contamination risk. The beltless motor drive provides maintenance-free orbital shaking from 30-300 rpm with a consistent 19mm orbit, preventing cell settling while maintaining gentle agitation essential for delicate suspension cultures.
Designed for laboratory efficiency, the Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini features a space-saving footprint of just 16.5″ x 18.3″ x 21.8″ that fits easily on standard benchtops while providing professional-grade performance. The included 9.5″ x 11.5″ non-slip rubber mat platform accommodates various laboratory vessels for low-speed applications, while optional MAGic Clampโข platforms enable tool-free magnetic flask attachment for high-speed mixing with instant changeover between 50ml to 1000ml Erlenmeyer flasks. Advanced contamination control features include sealed chamber construction and an optional gravity convection mode that disables the internal fan, significantly reducing cross-contamination risk in shared facilities. Ideal for tissue culture rooms, biopharmaceutical development labs, and research facilities requiring combined CO2 incubation and orbital shaking capabilities for non-adherent cell culture applications.
Description
Product Highlights: Incu-Shakerโข CO2 Mini Shaking Incubator
Integrated CO2 Control for Suspension Cell Culture
Precise CO2 monitoring from 0-20% with dual beam infrared sensor ensures optimal conditions for mammalian cell culture and suspension cell applications. The ยฑ0.1% accuracy and 0.1% increments provide research-grade reliability for sensitive cell lines, making it ideal for hybridoma production, biopharmaceutical development, and stem cell research requiring controlled CO2 environments.
Six-Side Heating Technology
Proprietary heat distribution system provides exceptional temperature uniformity of ยฑ0.5ยฐC throughout the 46L stainless steel chamber. The innovative six-side heating design in combination with low-speed internal fan ensures consistent temperature distribution without external air exchange, minimizing contamination risk and maintaining optimal growth conditions for suspension cultures.
Beltless Orbital Shaking System
Maintenance-free beltless motor drive delivers reliable orbital shaking from 30-300 rpm with 19mm orbit. The precision shaking motion provides consistent agitation for suspension cell cultures, preventing cell settling while maintaining gentle mixing conditions essential for delicate mammalian cell lines and preventing shear stress damage.
MAGic Clamp Compatible Platform
The included 9.5″ x 11.5″ non-slip rubber mat platform accommodates various laboratory vessels for low-speed applications. Upgrade to optional MAGic Clampโข platforms for high-speed mixing with tool-free magnetic flask clamp attachment, enabling instant changeover between Erlenmeyer flasks from 50ml to 1000ml, culture plates, and tube racks.
Contamination Control Features
Stainless steel 316 chamber construction and sealed heating system prevent external air exchange during incubation. The optional internal fan disable feature allows for gravity convection mode, significantly reducing sample-to-sample cross-contamination risk in shared laboratory environments and multi-user facilities.
Compact Footprint for Space Efficiency
Space-saving design with 16.5″ x 18.3″ x 21.8″ exterior dimensions fits easily on standard laboratory benches while providing 46L chamber capacity. The compact footprint makes it perfect for tissue culture rooms, clean rooms, and laboratories with limited space requiring combined CO2 incubation and shaking capabilities.
Compatible Accessories & Flask Clamps
| Accessory Type | Compatible Vessels / Model Number |
|---|---|
| MAGic Clampโข Platform Base | Model H1000-MR (Required for MAGic Clamp flask holders) |
| MAGic Clampโข Flask Holders | 50ml (H1000-MR-50), 125ml (H1000-MR-125), 250ml (H1000-MR-250), 500ml (H1000-MR-500), 1000ml (H1000-MR-1000) Erlenmeyer flasks |
| Microplate Platform | Model H1000-MR-MP for standard microplates and multi-well plates |
| Tube Rack Platforms | 15ml tubes (H1000-MR-T15), 50ml tubes (H1000-MR-T50), 15ml high capacity (H1000-MR-T15H), 150ml high capacity (H1000-MR-T150H), 500ml high capacity (H1000-MR-T500H) |
| Universal Platform | Model H1000-MR-TSR for custom vessels and containers |
| CO2 Regulator | Model H2300-REG (Required for CO2 gas supply connection) |
| Glass Erlenmeyer Flasks | B3110-GROUP (Standard flasks) and B3220-GROUP (Flasks with vented caps) |
| Plastic Shaker Flasks | F4000-GROUP (Disposable option) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini ideal for suspension cell culture?
The Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini combines precise CO2 control (0-20% with ยฑ0.1% accuracy) with gentle orbital shaking (30-300 rpm) in a single compact unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate CO2 incubators and orbital shakers, while the six-side heating system maintains optimal temperature uniformity for mammalian cell cultures, hybridomas, and other suspension cell applications.
How does the dual beam infrared CO2 sensor work?
The dual beam IR sensor provides highly accurate CO2 monitoring by measuring CO2 concentration using infrared light absorption. This technology offers superior stability and accuracy compared to thermal conductivity sensors, with minimal drift over time and reduced need for recalibration, ensuring consistent cell culture conditions.
Can I disable the internal fan to reduce contamination risk?
Yes, the internal fan can be disabled to switch to gravity convection mode. This feature significantly reduces air circulation within the chamber, minimizing the risk of sample-to-sample cross-contamination in shared laboratory environments or when culturing sensitive cell lines that require maximum contamination prevention.
What is the difference between the standard platform and MAGic Clamp platforms?
The included non-slip rubber mat platform (9.5″ x 11.5″) is suitable for low-speed shaking of various vessels. The optional MAGic Clampโข platform system (H1000-MR) enables high-speed mixing with tool-free magnetic flask clamp attachment, allowing instant changeover between different flask sizes without tools or downtime, ideal for frequent vessel changes.
Do I need a CO2 gas cylinder and regulator?
Yes, the Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini requires a CO2 gas supply with appropriate regulator. Benchmark Scientific offers the H2300-REG CO2 regulator specifically designed for compatibility with their incubators. Standard industrial CO2 cylinders are suitable, and consumption is minimal due to the sealed chamber design.
What is the chamber capacity and how many flasks can it hold?
The chamber provides 46 liters of capacity with a platform measuring 9.5″ x 11.5″. Depending on flask clamp configuration, you can typically accommodate multiple 250ml-500ml Erlenmeyer flasks simultaneously, or use microplate platforms for high-throughput cell culture applications. Exact capacity depends on your chosen MAGic Clamp accessory configuration.
How does the six-side heating system prevent contamination?
The six-side heating technology warms the chamber walls uniformly, eliminating cold spots where condensation could form and harbor contaminants. Combined with the sealed chamber design and optional gravity convection mode, the system maintains sterile conditions without requiring air exchange with the external environment, reducing contamination risk.
What temperature range is available?
The Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini operates from ambient +5ยฐC to 60ยฐC, making it suitable for standard mammalian cell culture at 37ยฐC, as well as applications requiring elevated temperatures. The 0.1ยฐC temperature increments allow precise control for temperature-sensitive experiments and cell lines with specific growth requirements.
Is this unit suitable for adherent cell culture?
The Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini is primarily designed for suspension cell culture and non-adherent cells that benefit from orbital shaking. For adherent cell culture requiring static incubation with CO2 control, consider Benchmark’s standard CO2 incubators without shaking capability, which are better suited for culture plates and flasks requiring stationary conditions.
How accurate is the temperature uniformity throughout the chamber?
Temperature uniformity is ยฑ0.5ยฐC throughout the entire 46L chamber, which is industry-leading performance for a compact CO2 shaking incubator. The six-side heating system ensures even heat distribution across all areas of the chamber, providing consistent conditions regardless of sample position on the platform.
Can I use this for bacterial culture or microbiology applications?
While the Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini can be used for bacterial culture, it is optimized for mammalian suspension cell culture requiring CO2 control. For standard bacterial culture and microbiology applications that don’t require CO2, consider Benchmark’s standard Incu-Shaker models without CO2 control, which offer similar shaking capabilities at lower cost.
What type of flasks are recommended for suspension cell culture?
Use Erlenmeyer flasks with vented caps (such as Benchmark’s B3220-GROUP) to allow gas exchange while preventing contamination. The vented cap design enables proper CO2 equilibration with the chamber atmosphere while maintaining sterility. Flask volumes from 125ml to 1000ml work well depending on culture volume and vessel capacity needs.
How often does the CO2 sensor need calibration?
The dual beam IR sensor is highly stable and requires minimal calibration compared to thermal conductivity sensors. Benchmark Scientific recommends annual calibration checks as part of routine preventive maintenance. The sensor’s stability ensures consistent CO2 control for daily cell culture operations without frequent recalibration interruptions.
What is the power consumption and heat output?
The unit consumes 350 watts maximum power during operation. This relatively low power consumption makes it suitable for standard laboratory electrical circuits without requiring dedicated high-amperage outlets. The efficient six-side heating system minimizes energy waste while maintaining precise temperature control.
Can multiple units be stacked to save space?
The Incu-Shaker CO2 Mini is designed as a standalone benchtop unit and is not intended for stacking. However, its compact 16.5″ x 18.3″ footprint allows multiple units to be placed side-by-side on standard laboratory benches, making it possible to run multiple independent experiments simultaneously in limited space.