Benchmark Scientific

Orbital Shaker

<h2>What are orbital shakers?</h2>
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Orbital shakers are laboratory mixing platforms that move their platform surface in a horizontal circular (orbital) motion at controlled speed, agitating the contents of vessels clamped or placed on the platform by inertial forces as the platform traces a circular path. The circular orbit creates a mixing pattern in flask liquids that promotes oxygen transfer from the headspace into the culture broth, which is the rate-limiting step for aerobic bacterial and yeast cultures grown in shaking flasks. Orbital shaker speed, orbit diameter, and fill volume together determine the mixing intensity and oxygen transfer rate in a culture.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What You Will Find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/agitation-equipment/orbital-shakers/orbital-shaker-accessories">Orbital Shaker Accessories:</a> A comprehensive range of universal spring platforms, adjustable roller bars for non-standard vessels, stacking decks, and toolless MAGic Clamp&trade; magnetic holders for flasks and microplates.
</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to choose an orbital shaker</h2>
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Choose an incubated orbital shaker for bacterial, yeast, or mammalian culture
Incubated orbital shakers maintain above-ambient temperature inside an integrated chamber, allowing cultures to grow at their optimum temperature while being agitated. This format is commonly used for microbial culture, protein expression, fermentation screening, and other temperature-controlled applications.
Choose a refrigerated shaker for cold-temperature incubation or hybridization
Refrigerated orbital shakers maintain temperatures below ambient, typically from approximately 4&deg;C to room temperature, making them suitable for enzyme reactions, nucleic acid hybridization, and other temperature-sensitive workflows requiring agitation.
Match orbit diameter to your flask size and culture volume
Orbital shakers are available with different orbit diameters, commonly 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm. Smaller orbits are generally used for smaller flasks and lower volumes, while larger orbits provide increased liquid movement and aeration for larger flasks and higher culture volumes.
Select a speed range appropriate for your application
Different applications require different shaking speeds. Microbial culture often operates at higher speeds to support oxygen transfer, while hybridization, staining, and washing procedures typically require gentler agitation. Selecting a shaker with a broad speed range increases flexibility across applications.
Confirm platform size and maximum load capacity
Platform dimensions determine how many flasks, bottles, or microplates can be processed simultaneously. Maximum load capacity should accommodate the combined weight of vessels and media to ensure stable operation during continuous shaking.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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The oxygen transfer rate in a shaking flask depends on shaking speed, orbit diameter, flask geometry, and fill volume. Appropriate combinations of these variables improve mixing efficiency and culture performance. Stackable orbital shakers remain a common solution for laboratories that require multiple simultaneous culture conditions while conserving bench and floor space.
Ready to stabilize your shaking protocols? Explore our digital orbital shakers and dynamic platform accessories, and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">contact the MBP team</a> for a quote today.

Orbital Shakers

Stacking Platform, extra large 14"x12" with flat mat (3.0" separation)

The BR2000-STACK by Benchmark Scientific is a 14 x 12 inch stacking platform with flat mat and 3.0 inch separation for the BR2000 BenchRocker 2D. Includes 4 platform separators. Doubles rocking capacity by adding a second level to the base rocker. Available from MBP Inc.

Manufacture

Rollers & Rotators

<h2>What are tube rollers and rotators?</h2>
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Tube rollers and rotators are low-speed mixing instruments that provide gentle, continuous agitation of tubes and bottles through rolling or inversion motion rather than high-speed shaking. A tube roller operates by rotating horizontal rollers that the tubes or bottles rest on, causing them to roll along their long axis in place, creating slow, even mixing of the tube contents without introducing air bubbles. A rotator (end-over-end mixer) clamps tubes in a wheel or drum that rotates at 5&ndash;30 rpm, inverting the tubes repeatedly through a full circle for thorough but gentle mixing.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/agitation-equipment/rollers-and-rotators">Rollers &amp; Rotators</a>:
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Mini &amp; Digital Rotators: Compact benchtop rotating mixers and programmable units designed for smooth, continuous sample inversion.
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Multi-Roller Tube Rollers: High-capacity 5-roller, 6-roller, and 10-roller systems engineered for uniform rolling of culture bottles and blood tubes.
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Temperature-Controlled Rotators: Special incubated models that combine steady sample rotation with precise temperature management.
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Platform Rockers: Basic single-platform shaking and rocking systems optimized for blot washes and gel staining procedures.
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</ul>
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/agitation-equipment/rollers-and-rotators/roller-and-rotator-accessories">Roller &amp; Rotator Accessories:</a>
<ul>
<li data-path-to-node="4,0,0">Interchangeable Tube Holders: Snap-on racks and clips designed specifically to accommodate 1.5ml, 2.0ml, 15ml, and 50ml laboratory tubes.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to choose rollers and rotators</h2>
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Choose a tube roller for blood collection and clinical tube mixing
Tube rollers are the standard instrument for homogenizing anticoagulated blood collection tubes before clinical testing, operating at 5&ndash;20 rpm to ensure even mixing of blood and anticoagulant without hemolysis from excessive speed. The roller format also suits other tubes and bottles that are too long for end-over-end rotation to work effectively in the space available.
Choose a rotator for antibody-bead incubations and immunoprecipitation
End-over-end rotators invert tubes through a full 360&deg; cycle, ensuring that beads settled at the tube bottom are continuously resuspended and that the bead surface is uniformly exposed to the solution throughout the incubation. This complete inversion is essential for immunoprecipitation, pull-down assays, and antibody-coupling incubations where beads must stay in suspension for efficient binding.
Consider the tube capacity and format each instrument accommodates
Tube rollers hold a fixed number of tubes of defined diameter on the roller surface; rotator wheels typically accommodate a defined set of tube positions for specific tube formats. Confirm that the instrument handles the tube diameter, length, and quantity you work with most commonly, and that accessories are available to accommodate additional formats.
Evaluate speed range against your mixing requirement
Blood sample homogenization requires gentle speed of 5&ndash;12 rpm to avoid hemolysis, while antibody-bead incubations can use faster rotation of 10&ndash;30 rpm for more active suspension maintenance. A variable-speed rotator provides flexibility across applications; a fixed-speed roller set at the correct blood mixing speed is adequate for dedicated blood handling.
Confirm whether incubator-compatible models are needed for your workflow
Rotator and roller incubations often require 37&deg;C for antibody binding or hybridization reactions. Models designed for incubator interior use have compact profiles and materials that tolerate incubator humidity and temperature, while standard bench models are not always rated for this environment.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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Tube rollers used for blood sample mixing are typically operated at a fixed or low-speed range of 5&ndash;12 rpm, a range established from clinical literature showing that this rotation speed adequately homogenizes anticoagulated blood without inducing hemolysis from mechanical stress. As of 2026, compact benchtop tube rollers that fit inside standard incubators and cold rooms without taking up significant shelf space remain popular in clinical and research labs for routine sample preparation.
If you&rsquo;re unsure which rotation style or capacity fits your current workflow, the MBP team is here to help&mdash;<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/rollers-and-rotators">contact us today for a custom quote.</a>

Product Literature

Tube holder, 11 x 1.5/2.0, 2/pk (1 pack included)

Tube holder, 5 x 5-7ml, 2/pk (1 pack included)

Tube holder, 4 x 10-15ml, 2/pk (1 pack included)

Tube holder, 6 x 50ml, 1 each (1 pack included)

Tube holder, 96 x 0.2ml, 12 x PCR strips or one PCR plate (R2024 and H2024 Only)

Mini rocking platform with rubber mat, 4.5 x 3 in (R2024 and H2024 Only)

RotoMini™ and RotoMini PLUS Tube Rotators Accessories

Roto-Therm™ Incubated Rotators

The H2020 by Benchmark Scientific is the standard Roto-Therm Incubated Rotator: fixed 24 rpm, digitally controlled temperature chamber from ambient +5 to 60 degrees C, and interchangeable tube holders for 0.5 mL to 50 mL formats. Motion switches between vertical (end-over-end) and horizontal (rolling) by twisting the rotisserie. 115V; 230V model H2020-E. For variable speed and Rock/Mix modes, see H2024 (Plus model).

Temperature

Speed (H2020)

Speed (H2024)

Mixing Modes (H2024)

Dimensions

Weight (H2020)

Weight (H2024)

Electrical

Warranty

Roto-Therm™ Incubated Rotator with tube holders, 115V

Roto-Therm™ Incubated Rotator with tube holders, 230V

Roto-Mini Rotators

R2020 Roto-Mini by Benchmark Scientific is a fixed-speed tube rotator at 24 rpm with user-selectable vertical (end-over-end) or horizontal (rolling) motion. Includes holders for 1.5/0.2 mL, 5-7 mL, 10-15 mL, and 50 mL tubes (two sets each). Universal 100-240V input for global use.

Speed Range R2020

Speed Range R2024

Mixing Modes R2020

Mixing Modes R2024

Max Capacity

Dimensions (in)

Dimensions (cm)

Weight

Roto-Mini™ Rotator with tube holders, 115V

Roto-Mini™ Rotator with tube holders, 230V

TubeRoller with 10 rollers

R301000 by Benchmark Scientific is a 10-roller TubeRoller with a ±5° tilt mechanism that produces wave-like end-to-end mixing for tubes and vessels from 8–200 mm OD, including Vacutainers®, centrifuge tubes, and roller bottles. Available in 115 V (US) and 230 V (EU).

Speed

Motion

Operating Temp.

Individual Roller Dims

Vessels Accepted

Rolling Spacing

Number of Rollers

Dimensions (R3005)

Dimensions (R3010)

Power

TubeRoller with 10 rollers, 115V

TubeRoller with 10 rollers, 230V

RotoBot Programmable Rotator

R4045 by Benchmark Scientific is the RotoBot Programmable Rotator, a variable-speed tube rotator running 1-80 rpm with 10+ operating modes, including two custom C1/C2 programs, supplied with a starter set of tube holders for 1.5mL, 15mL, and 50mL tubes.

Speed Range

Max Capacity (R4040)

Max Capacity (R4045)

Timer

RotoBot Programmable Rotator, includes tube holders for 30x1.5ml, 8x15ml and 2x50ml

RotoBot Programmable Rotator, includes tube holders for 30x1.5ml, 8x15ml and 2x50ml, 240V

RotoBot™ Rotating Mixer

R4040 by Benchmark Scientific is the RotoBot™ Mini programmable rotating mixer — 1–80 rpm digital control, 10+ modes, two custom-programmable sequences (C1/C2), timer to 99 hrs 59 min, cold room and incubator safe (+2°C to +70°C). Includes 12 x 1.5 ml, 2 x 15 ml, and 2 x 50 ml tube holders. Universal voltage (100–240 V). Request a quote or order at <a href="https://www.mbpinc.net/quickorder">mbpinc.net/quickorder</a>.

RotoBot Mini Programmable Rotator, includes tube holders for 12x1.5ml, 2x15ml and 2x50ml

RotoBot Mini Programmable Rotator, includes tube holders for 12x1.5ml, 2x15ml and 2x50ml, 240V

Roto-Mini™ Plus Rotator, Variable Speed

Roto-Mini™ Plus Variable Speed Rotators

Benchmark’s new Roto-Mini series of rotating mixers provides a wide range of mixing capabilities, suitable for an array of laboratory applications including resuspension, protein binding, nucleic acid purification, histochemistry, hybridization, etc.\r\n\r\nPlus models offer variable speed (5-70rpm), a “Mix” mode for enhanced mixing, a “Pause” function with intermittent stops, and a gentle rocking “Rock” mode. They include a 4.5 x 3-inch platform and a 96 x 0.2ml tube/strip/plate holder for PCR vessel mixing.

Weight 

Roto-Mini™ Plus Variable Speed Rotator with tube holders, 115V

Roto-Mini™ Plus Variable Speed Rotator with tube holders, 230V

Roto-Therm™ Plus Incubated Rotator

H2024 by Benchmark Scientific is the Roto-Therm Plus, a variable-speed incubated rotator that runs 5-70 rpm at digitally controlled temperatures of ambient+5 to 60C, with Mix, Pause, and Rock mixing modes and interchangeable tube holders for 0.5mL to 50mL tubes.

Roto-Therm™ Plus Incubated Rotator (variable speed) with tube holders, 115V

Roto-Therm™ Plus Incubated Rotator (variable speed) with tube holders, 230V

Rotating Mixer

The R5010 by Benchmark Scientific is a rotating mixer that provides gentle to vigorous mixing of samples up to 50mL, with adjustable speed, tilt angle, and a reversing mode, supplied with three rotisserie tube holders.

Tilt Angle

Ambient Operating Temp.

Rotating Mixer with rotisseries for 1.5/2.0, 15 and 50ml tubes, 115v

Rotating Mixer with rotisseries for 1.5/2.0, 15 and 50ml tubes, 230v

Microplate Reader Accessories

<h2>What Are Microplate Reader Accessories?</h2>
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Microplate reader accessories are supplementary components that extend detection range, maintain instrument performance, and support compliance in regulated workflows. They fall into four groups: optical accessories (filters, filter cubes, and polarizers for wavelength selection in fluorescence and absorbance detection); illumination accessories (replacement xenon flash lamps, deuterium lamps, or LED upgrade modules that provide the excitation light source); calibration and validation tools (absorbance validation plates with certified reference values, fluorescence uniformity plates, and luminescence performance standards used to verify reader performance); and automation and software accessories (reagent injectors for kinetic luminescence assays, plate stackers for unattended batch reading, and software module licenses for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, spectral scanning, or advanced kinetics). Because accessory designs are manufacturer-specific, a filter block designed for one plate reader brand will not fit another; always order accessories using the instrument's model number as the primary specification parameter. Filter sets are the most commonly needed accessory for multi-mode readers; confirm the filter block format and thread size for your specific reader model before ordering, as filter cube dimensions vary significantly between manufacturers and generations.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find: </h2>
<ul>
<li data-section-id="23xybn" data-start="25" data-end="117">Replacement filters and optical accessories for maintaining microplate reader performance.</li>
<li data-section-id="71w1ic" data-start="118" data-end="209">Calibration and validation tools to support accurate and reproducible assay measurements.</li>
<li data-section-id="6jcbpl" data-start="210" data-end="312">Microplates and consumables compatible with absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence applications.</li>
<li data-section-id="y9aam2" data-start="313" data-end="396">Replacement components and maintenance accessories for routine instrument upkeep.</li>
<li data-section-id="qoq7y7" data-start="397" data-end="523" data-is-last-node="">Accessories designed to support ELISA, cell-based assays, nucleic acid quantification, and other microplate-based workflows.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to Choose Microplate Reader Accessories</h2>
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Filter sets for fluorescence and absorbance.
Fluorescence filter sets (excitation filter, dichroic mirror, emission filter) must match both the fluorophore's excitation and emission spectra and the filter cube housing format of the specific reader. Most microplate reader filters use standard 25 mm diameter circular filters; some readers use 12 mm micro-filters. Common fluorescence filter sets: FITC/SYBR Green (Ex 485/12 nm, Em 520/10 nm); DAPI/Hoechst (Ex 360/40 nm, Em 460/40 nm); TRITC/PI (Ex 544/10 nm, Em 620/10 nm); Cy5 (Ex 620/10 nm, Em 680/10 nm). For absorbance, filter-based readers require individual narrow-bandpass filters at the wavelengths required by each assay protocol: 450 nm for ELISA, 595 nm for Bradford, 562 nm for BCA, 260 nm, and 280 nm for nucleic acid and protein.
Replacement lamps
Xenon flash lamps are the standard excitation source in high-quality fluorescence and absorbance microplate readers; typical lamp lifetime is 500 million flashes (approximately 3 to 5 years of daily use). Lamp output decreases gradually before failure; rising CV% in repeated measurements of the same standard is the first sign of lamp degradation. Replacement xenon flash lamps are model-specific; confirm part number from the instrument manual before ordering. Some instrument manufacturers have transitioned to LED-based excitation sources, which have much longer lifetimes (50,000+ hours) and do not require routine lamp replacement.
Calibration and validation plates
Calibration plates contain certified optical standards (neutral density filters, fluorescent reference dyes at known concentrations, or luminescent reference materials) in an SBS-format plate footprint for installation in the plate carriage. They are used to verify photometric accuracy, linearity, and inter-well uniformity (CV% across all 96 or 384 wells). These verifications are required in ISO 17025 accredited labs and GLP/GMP environments, and recommended as best practice for any lab relying on quantitative plate reader data. Validation plates are model-specific and must be re-certified periodically (typically annually) by the manufacturer.
Reagent injectors
Reagent injectors are syringe-pump accessories that dispense a defined volume of reagent into each well of a microplate immediately before or during reading, required for luminescence kinetic assays (luciferase, beta-galactosidase, flash luminescence from coelenterazine), where the signal decays rapidly after reagent addition. Single injectors add one reagent (e.g., luciferase substrate); dual injectors allow sequential addition of two reagents for sequential flash and glow luminescence detection. Injectors are model-specific and must be installed and calibrated by the manufacturer or a qualified service engineer.
Plate stackers and automation accessories
Plate stacker modules load and unload microplates automatically from a tray of 10 to 50 plates, allowing unattended overnight batch reading. Integration with laboratory robotics and LIMS extends this to fully automated plate reading workflows. Plate stackers are model-specific and typically sold as separate accessories from the reader. Confirm that the plate stacker is compatible with the specific plate type (96-well standard, 384-well, with or without sealing film) and the plate loading orientation.
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<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
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Filter bandpass width (the FWHM of the filter transmission curve) affects sensitivity and selectivity. Narrower bandpass filters (10 nm FWHM) improve selectivity by excluding off-target fluorophore emission but transmit less light, reducing signal. Wider bandpass filters (20 to 40 nm) transmit more light for a brighter signal, but may allow bleed-through from closely overlapping fluorophores. In multiplex assays with two or more fluorophores, narrow bandpass emission filters reduce spectral cross-talk between channels. Optical density (OD) of the blocking region outside the transmission band should be at least OD 5 to OD 6 for fluorescence filters to prevent light leakage from the excitation source from reaching the detector.
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To discuss product availability or get selection guidance,&nbsp;<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">contact the MBP team</a>.

Thermal Printer for MR-9600

The MR9600-TP by Benchmark Scientific (Accuris) is a direct thermal printer designed exclusively for the Accuris SmartReader 96 MR-9600 microplate absorbance reader, enabling on-demand hard-copy printouts of absorbance data for GLP documentation and routine assay records. No ink cartridges or ribbons are required.

Thermal Printer for MR-9600, 230V

Homogenizer

<h2>What are laboratory homogenizers?</h2>
&nbsp;
Laboratory homogenizers are powered instruments that physically disrupt, blend, or emulsify samples using mechanical shear, ultrasonic cavitation, or both, producing a homogeneous mixture from initially heterogeneous biological tissue, cell suspensions, food materials, or chemical mixtures. The two main categories in laboratory research are rotor-stator homogenizers, where a high-speed generator head with a rotating blade inside a stator tube applies intense shear to samples drawn into the stator, and ultrasonic probe homogenizers (also called sonicators), where a vibrating probe tip transmits ultrasonic energy into the liquid sample to create rapid cavitation and disruption.
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<h2>What you will find:&nbsp; </h2>
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/sample-processing/homogenizer/homogenizer-accessories">Homogenizer Accessories:</a>
<ul>
<li data-path-to-node="1,0,0">Generator Heads &amp; Stands: Replacement saw-tooth shearing heads and sturdy support stands for hands-free mechanical processing.</li>
<li data-path-to-node="1,1,0">Bead-Beating Homogenizers: Compact 6-position, 24-position, and high-throughput 96-well ball mill systems for rapid cell disruption.</li>
<li data-path-to-node="1,2,0">Ultrasonic Processors &amp; Horns: Digital sonication units and titanium horns engineered for high-efficiency cell lysis and DNA shearing.</li>
<li data-path-to-node="1,3,0">Prefilled Tubes &amp; Bulk Beads: Ready-to-use sample grinding kits and loose bead matrices available in multiple sizes and materials.</li>
<li data-path-to-node="1,4,0">Blender Bags &amp; Gaskets: Heavy-duty sterile paddle bags and containment gaskets to ensure leak-proof sample processing.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to choose a laboratory homogenizer</h2>
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Choose a rotor-stator homogenizer for tissue and bulk sample processing
Rotor-stator homogenizers (such as the IKA Ultra-Turrax, Polytron, or equivalent) are best for rapidly homogenizing larger volumes of tissue&mdash;from 0.5 mL to several liters depending on the generator head&mdash;in a buffer or reagent solution, drawing tissue into the stator and shearing it at speeds of 5,000&ndash;30,000 rpm. They produce results in seconds to minutes and are preferred for protein, RNA, and DNA extraction from solid tissue where throughput and speed matter.
Choose an ultrasonic probe homogenizer for precise small-volume work and emulsification
Ultrasonic probe homogenizers transmit high-frequency sound (typically 20 kHz) through a vibrating probe tip into the sample, creating cavitation bubbles that collapse violently and disrupt cells, shear DNA to defined sizes, or form stable emulsions. They excel at processing small volumes and provide more controlled energy dosing than rotor-stator instruments.
Match the generator head size to your sample volume
Rotor-stator generator heads are sized by the volume range they process optimally&mdash;micro generator heads for 0.5&ndash;15 mL, standard heads for 5&ndash;200 mL, and large-volume heads for 200 mL to several liters. Using a head too large for your sample volume gives poor energy density; too small a head for large volumes leads to extended processing times and excess heat generation.
Consider heat generation and sample cooling during disruption
Both rotor-stator and ultrasonic homogenizers generate heat during operation that can degrade heat-sensitive analytes like RNA, enzymes, and phosphorylated proteins. Short processing cycles with cooling on ice between cycles, or using a refrigerated or water-jacketed vessel, maintains sample temperature. For ultrasonic probes, pulsed rather than continuous operation reduces net heat input.
Evaluate cleaning requirements between samples
Rotor-stator generator heads require thorough cleaning between samples&mdash;typically operating briefly in cleaning solution then rinse water&mdash;while ultrasonic probe tips need wiping and sonicating in cleaning solution. Automated probe cleaning stations reduce this burden for high-throughput workflows.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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Rotor-stator homogenizers are characterized by their maximum tip peripheral speed and generator head volume range, with higher speeds delivering more shear energy per unit time but also more heat. As of 2026, rotor-stator homogenizers with interchangeable generator heads covering sub-milliliter to liter volumes from a single body remain the most versatile format for research labs processing diverse tissue types.
For a detailed consultation regarding our products <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">contact us directly or request a quote from our team</a> at Molecular Biology Products Inc. (MBP).

Homogenizers

BeadBug™ Microtube homogenizer

The BeadBug&trade;3 is a powerful homogenizer for various sample types, processing 1 to 3 tubes at a time. It's faster and more effective than tissue grinders and eliminates cross-contamination. A wide range of beads is available for optimal homogenization.

Capacity

BeadBug™ Microtube homogenizer, 115V

BeadBug™ Microtube homogenizer, 230V

TubeRoller with 5 rollers

R300500 TubeRoller by Benchmark Scientific (mfr SKU: R3005) is a 5-roller variable speed tube roller at 2-80 rpm with a built-in 13 mm wave motion (±5° tilt) that ensures complete end-to-end mixing. Accepts tubes and bottles from 8 to 200 mm diameter. Rated +4°C to +40°C. 115V or 230V.