Orbital Shaker Benchmarks: Best Practices for Use and Maintenance
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APPLICATION NOTE Orbital shaker benchmarks: best practices for use and maintenance Authors: Mary Kay Bates, Senior Global Cell Culture Specialist and Sara Livingston, Global Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific Key words: Orbital shaker, HEPA filter, cleaning, orbit diameter INTRODUCTION Most life science labs have an orbital shaker—often more than one— because these versatile workhorses are used in many applications including chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, environmental and food sciences, clinical diagnostics, and eukaryotic Figure 1. Orbital shakers are available in a wide variety of sizes and formats. cell culture. Usage extends from basic research all the way up to maintenance schedule. In all cases, for before discarding any packing bioproduction. Shakers come in the manufacturer’s recommendations materials; some small parts can be a wide range of sizes and formats for each model take precedence and accidentally discarded. (Figure 1), including open air, heated, should be followed. or refrigerated. Choosing among Recognize that orbital shakers, these many options can be confusing, INSTALLATION regardless of size, can be heavier than and your application may require a Upon delivery of your new shaker, you may think. Take care when lifting specific shaker style1. inspect the shipping carton and the shaker, ensure you have at least ask the carrier to specify and sign one other person to help you, and that Regardless of the models used, this for any damage on your delivery the shelf or bench designated to hold application note contains valuable receipt, to ensure that any damage the shaker will be strong enough. information which applies to all to the components can be properly orbital shakers. We offer helpful documented and addressed. When tips to properly install your shaker, unpacking any laboratory equipment, guidelines for best operation, proper carefully match parts to a packing list usage and cleaning, and a general and ensure everything is accounted 1 Also confirm that the shaker will not the shaker to a power source until platform. Consider a shaker which wobble or tip. Orbital shakers can it is completely set up and ready offers platforms which are easily vibrate if not properly supported or for use. With larger shakers we installed and removable to allow for while experiencing an uneven load. recommended setting up each unit easy cleaning (Figure 2). In general, a Vibration can have additional adverse on an independent circuit to provide shaker platform will have integrated effects on the mixing motion created, stable power to the unit and avoid points to aid in alignment of the impacting cell growth and the power fluctuations that may affect the platform over the drive mechanism. end product. electronics of the shaker system. Install all screws before tightening them, to ensure proper seating of the LOCATION For best operation, use a level and platform. Once installed, never lift Because shakers vary so much in adjust turn screws on the unit feet to the shaker by the platform, but only size, the required clearance around ensure the shaker is level (including by the bottom and sides. Use only the particular model will also vary. front to back as well as side to side). the manufacturer provided screws, But all shakers should have some Tighten the locking nuts to secure tools, and clamps. Establish a clear, space around them to allow for the position. organized and well labeled area, proper ventilation. In general, this ideally a clear plastic divided box, to space should be 1 inch (2.5 cm) Depending on your shaker make store these parts near the shaker. for smaller units, up to 4 inches and model, you may have to install (10 cm) for the largest models. Also, the shaker platform next. Before Before installing flask clamps, check because the shaker is working to progressing too far, however, know whether a flexible spring must first establish a set temperature, it is that some shakers require the flask be installed. If your clamps require important to position the shaker clamps to be manually secured onto a spring, it must be used, because out of areas of direct sunlight or the platform before installing the without it the flask will not be secured drafts. The shaker’s temperature control can also be influenced by nearby equipment, especially any that generate heat, such as ultra-low freezers or ultracentrifuges. If you have a refrigerated shaker, it may need access to a drain for evacuating condensed liquid. Some shakers have a sealed chamber with a drain for convenience when cleaning with liquids. This drain may be hidden behind an access panel. If you plan to use this drain, consider its location when positioning the unit. INITIAL SETUP The shaker may have a switch next to the power cord receptacle to toggle between 115 or 230 volts. Set the Figure 2. Removable platforms are recommended for all orbital shakers for greater flexibility switch appropriately for the voltage and to facilitate regular cleaning and disinfection. A universal platform will accept a wide used in your region. Do not connect variety of clamps. 2 and there is a great risk of the flask breaking, spilling, or accidentally releasing from the clamp. After attaching the springs, install the clamps onto the platform using the manufacturer provided instructions and parts. Different shakers and flask clamps require 1–5 screws, and some require nuts and/or washers, so be sure to use all of the necessary components for your model. Using fewer than the recommended number Figure 4. Clamps are available that are designed to fit Thermo Scientific™ Universal Test Tube of screws and nuts will increase the Racks. The clamps can rotate to allow incubation at a desired angle. Different rack models fit risk of the flask clamp dislodging from a variety of commonly used culture tubes. The racks easily pop into and out of the clamps. the platform, causing damage to your flask and samples. alarms—to more closely match your holder and take the entire rack and most common settings. cultures with you to and from the If you are connecting a data shaker, eliminating the need to transfer monitoring and remote alarm module, Ideally, the shaker will have a tubes to a new rack for transport. now is a good time to set that up. This display that shows all parameters These are so easy to use, save time, is also time to become familiar with simultaneously (Figure 3) and allows and eliminate the waste and risk of the different alarms indicated by the precise individual adjustments. using laboratory tape to secure test shaker and how to correct them. If Refer to the user manual for proper tube racks to the shaker platform. your shaker allows, you can change management of settings, and become the alarm setpoints and triggers— familiar with any specific tips for We recommend establishing a such as high and low temperature routine parameter entry. standard procedure to check the platform and flask clamp screws TIPS FOR BEST OPERATION monthly and tighten if necessary, to AND CELL PRODUCTION prevent failure and breakage. When placing a flask into a spring clamp, use your free hand to pull the Load flasks and tubes into clamps and clamp open enough to easily insert racks carefully and securely, making the flask. This will increase the service sure all are firmly seated before life of the clamp and spring, and startup. When using multiple vessels, prevent accidental breakage of the ensure that they are evenly distributed flask. Reverse the process to remove on the platform for best operation and the flask, again using one hand to pull to reduce the chances of vibration, the spring and clamp open before uneven wear on mechanics, and pulling the flask out. uneven shaking. For shaking culture tubes, consider Always begin with the shaker set to using a specialized test tube rack “0” RPM (revolutions per minute). Figure 3. A shaker should offer a clear holder (Figure 4) which will secure the Increase the shaking speed gradually display which allows viewing of all parameters simultaneously and allows rack and tubes at a specified angle. to the desired speed, monitoring to individual, precise control. You can remove the rack from the ensure you get a “swirl” action as 3 the speed increases. While this will least once each month. Normal indoor take longer than simply switching the air contains thousands of circulating 2 d1 shaker on and allowing the speed to r2 = r1 × microorganisms which can take up increase as fast as possible, it is the d2 residence in your shaker, putting your best approach because increasing the cultures at risk. speed too quickly can create a “slosh” Here, d1 = the orbital diameter for rather than the gentle swirling that is the first shaker, d2 = the diameter for At a minimum, take a good look at ideal for best mixing and cell viability. the new shaker, r1 = the RPM for the the shaker parts and remove any This is most critical for animal and first shaker and r2 = the RPM for the spilled growth media or dirt using a insect cells which do not have a cell new shaker3. microfiber cloth moistened in water wall; however, this procedure will aid with mild dish soap. Rinse with clear in protecting all cell types and liquid Different speed, temperature, flask water. Using a spray bottle, wet all solutions. Often, you can use a slower size and shape, liquid volume, cell parts and areas with 70% ethanol speed once you have achieved a types, and growth media components and allow to air dry. Do not spray any good swirling motion around the flask all have effects on cell growth.