Labnet International

Shaking Incubators

User Manual

VorTemp™ 1550 Shaking Incubator-temperature selection guide

Labnet VorTemp 1550 Shaking Incubator for microtubes and microplates, 120V

S2050A by Labnet is the VorTemp™ 1550 Shaking Incubator, combining 200–900 rpm orbital shaking with temperature control from ambient +5°C to 99°C (±0.5°C) in a benchtop unit that holds 18 × 15 mL or 8 × 50 mL tubes. A programmable timer (1–99 min or continuous) and 120V operation suit North American research labs

Temperature Range

Temperature Accuracy

Speed Range

Motion, Orbit

Timer

Capacity

Dimensions

Electrical

Manufacture

Vortex Mixers

<h2>What are laboratory vortex mixers?</h2>
&nbsp;
A laboratory vortex mixer is a small benchtop instrument with an eccentrically rotating motor that drives a cup-shaped rubber head in a rapid circular path, creating a vortex in liquid-filled tubes or vessels pressed onto the cup. The vibration transfers through the closed tube wall to the liquid, generating a powerful swirling vortex that thoroughly mixes tube contents within seconds. Vortex mixers are used throughout the laboratory for resuspending pellets after centrifugation, mixing enzyme reaction components, homogenizing samples, dissolving compounds, and briefly but thoroughly mixing any small tube or vessel.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
BLUline vortex mixer: with a flip-head for faster, touch-based mixing
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
BenchMixer&trade; vortex mixers: for everyday, reliable lab vortexing
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
BenchMixer&trade; XL multi-tube vortexer: for high-performance output sample processing
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Labnet Orbit 300 multipurpose digital vortexer: for programmable and controlled mixing
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Vortex mixer accessories: including horizontal heads, tube racks, and foam holders for different tube sizes and applications
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to choose a vortex mixer</h2>
&nbsp;
Choose touch-mode for ad hoc brief mixing and continuous-mode for timed runs
Touch-mode vortex mixers run only when a tube or vessel is pressed against the cup head, stopping immediately on release &mdash; the natural format for brief, on-demand mixing during pipetting workflows. Continuous-mode switches the mixer to run at a set speed without tube contact, suitable for timed mixing steps or when using a multi-tube adapter for batch runs.
Match vortex speed range to your application
Standard vortex mixers operate between approximately 600 and 3200 rpm, with lower speeds appropriate for gentle mixing of delicate samples or larger vessels, and full speed appropriate for vigorous resuspension of tightly packed pellets. Variable-speed models with a dial allow speed to be dialed down for sensitive applications.
Confirm tube compatibility with the cup head or adapter
The standard cup head on most vortex mixers accommodates 1.5 mL and 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes directly, and most standard tube formats up to approximately 50 mL can be mixed by holding the tube against the cup at the appropriate angle. For 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, holding at a slight angle rather than vertical provides more efficient mixing.
Consider a multi-tube foam insert for batch processing
Foam inserts and multi-tube adapters allow 6, 8, or more tubes to be mixed simultaneously during a timed continuous-mode run, suited for batch mixing of many samples between processing steps.
Check that footprint and noise level suit your bench placement
Vortex mixers vary considerably in physical footprint and operating noise; models with a suction-cup base or weighted housing reduce walking on the benchtop at high speed. For open-plan labs or shared spaces, noise level at full speed is worth checking in product specifications.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
The classic vortex mixing action produces a liquid vortex through eccentrically driven cup oscillation at typically 2000&ndash;3200 rpm for full-speed operation, a mechanism that has remained essentially unchanged since the Vortex-Genie design introduced by Scientific Industries in 1962. As of 2026, variable-speed vortex mixers with touch-mode and continuous-mode operation and a removable cup head for accessory attachment remain the most widely used format in molecular biology and biochemistry labs.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP team today</a> to request a quote and find the right vortex mixer for your application.

Product Literature

Labnet Vortex Mixer,120V

The S0200 by Labnet International is the VX-200 Vortex Mixer, a 120V benchtop vortexer with continuously variable speed from 0 to 3400 rpm and a circular-orbit CombiCup head.

Operating Modes

Ambient Operating Range

Dimensions (W x D x H)

Weight

Dry Baths

<h2>What Are Dry Bath Incubators?</h2>
&nbsp;
A dry bath incubator uses direct thermal conduction from a heated aluminum block to sample tubes placed in precision-machined well inserts, rather than immersing samples in a liquid medium. This eliminates water bath contamination risks from microbial biofilms, cross-contamination between samples from water droplets, and the mineral scale buildup associated with tap water. Aluminum blocks heat rapidly: most models reach 37 degrees C from ambient in 3-5 minutes and 100 degrees C in approximately 10-15 minutes, providing faster protocol transitions than water baths for multi-temperature workflows. Interchangeable aluminum well insert blocks are machined to fit specific tube formats with tight tolerances (typically plus or minus 0.1 mm), maximizing thermal contact between the block wall and tube exterior for efficient and uniform heat transfer. Choose dry bath incubators over water baths when contamination prevention is critical, when multiple setpoint temperatures are needed in rapid succession, or when protocols require temperatures above 70 degrees C, where evaporation from water baths is significant.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What You Will Find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/temperature-control-equipment/temperature-controlled-baths/dry-baths/dry-baths-accessories" title="Dry Baths Accessories">Dry Baths Accessories</a>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">High-conductivity interchangeable heating blocks designed to accommodate microtubes, PCR strips, and centrifuge tubes for maximum versatility.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Specialized block lifters and thermal covers that ensure safe handling and improved temperature insulation during high-heat protocols.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Precision-fit modular inserts engineered for seamless heat transfer, allowing you to customize your heating station for any vessel size.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to Choose a Dry Bath Incubator</h2>
&nbsp;
Number of blocks and block capacity
Single-block dry baths hold one aluminum insert block and typically accept 8-24 wells, depending on tube size, occupying minimal bench space. Dual-block models accept two independently controlled blocks simultaneously (see Dual Baths), enabling two temperatures in one footprint. Four-block configurations (such as Labnet DB-04A) hold four blocks with a broad temperature range up to 150 degrees C, suitable for high-throughput labs processing multiple protocols simultaneously. Confirm well count per block for your primary tube format before purchasing.
Temperature range
Standard dry bath incubators cover ambient plus 5 degrees C to 100 degrees C, sufficient for most molecular biology protocols (37 degrees C incubation, 55-60 degrees C Proteinase K digestion, 70 degrees C inactivation, 95 degrees C DNA denaturation). Extended-range models reach 120-160 degrees C for applications such as paraffin embedding at 60-65 degrees C, wax melting, electrophoresis gel denaturation, and COD (chemical oxygen demand) digestion at 150 degrees C. Models with Peltier cooling blocks extend the lower range to -10 to -30 degrees C for sub-ambient incubations.
Temperature accuracy and uniformity
Block temperature accuracy (deviation from the true temperature at setpoint) is typically plus or minus 0.2-0.5 degrees C at 37 degrees C for microprocessor PID-controlled units; the Biolab dry bath incubator 1306 series specifies plus or minus 0.3 degrees C stability and or minus 0.3 degrees C block uniformity at 100 degrees C. Block uniformity describes the temperature variation between different wells in the same insert at the same setpoint, a critical specification when running comparative assays where all samples must be at identical temperatures.
Heated lid
An adjustable heated lid positions a temperature-controlled surface directly above the tube caps during incubation, preventing condensation of volatile samples on the cooler upper portions of the tube and the cap. Heated lids are essential for enzyme reactions, isothermal amplification (LAMP), immunoassay incubations, and any protocol where evaporation or condensation affects sample concentration or reaction outcome. Models like the Labnet PR1MA Mini with Heated Lid allow independent temperature setting of the lid to optimize anti-condensation heating without overheating the sample.
Programmable timer and multi-cycle function
Programmable dry baths with a built-in timer (up to 99 hours and 59 minutes on most models) allow unattended protocol completion with automatic shutoff. Multi-cycle function (up to 99 repetitions) enables automated ramp-hold-repeat cycles for denaturation-renaturation experiments, isothermal nucleic acid amplification protocols, and temperature cycling without a PCR thermocycler for simple two-step protocols. Auto-restart after power failure is standard on research-grade models.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
&nbsp;
A 150 W heating element in a single-block dry bath achieves temperature equilibration from 25 degrees C to 100 degrees C in 10 minutes or less, compared to 15-25 minutes for a 12-20 L water bath at comparable setpoints. Block temperature uniformity of plus or minus 0.3 degrees C across all wells is standard for research-grade dry bath incubators; economy models may specify plus or minus 1 degree C block uniformity, which is insufficient for quantitative assays comparing samples run in different wells. Dry bath incubators operating at 95-100 degrees C require minimal maintenance compared to water baths: no water changes, no algae treatment, no mineral descaling, making them operationally lower-cost for high-temperature molecular biology protocols. Dry bath incubators with heated lids, dual LED displays (showing actual and setpoint temperatures simultaneously), and programmable multi-cycle timers are the standard specification for new molecular biology lab installations, replacing older dry block heaters.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ready to upgrade your sample heating setup? Explore our full range of dry baths and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">contact the MBP team</a> for a quote today.

D01000-Constant Temperature Guide

Mini Digital Dry Bath

The D01000 by Labnet International is the AccuBlock Mini Compact Dry Bath — an ultra-compact single-block incubator for 12 x 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tubes, with a temperature range of ambient +5 degrees C to 100 degrees C and accuracy of +/-0.1 degrees C. The anodized aluminum block heats rapidly and is covered on the top surface to protect users from burns. The included AccuRack transfer system loads and unloads all 12 tubes simultaneously. Operates on 120V or 230V; an optional 12V DC adapter enables field use.

Temperature range

Temperature increments

Temperature uniformity

Temperature accuracy

Block

Block capacity

External temperature range

Adapter input

Protection class

DRY BATH MINI DIGITAL 120V

DRY BATH, MINI DIGITAL 230V

Orbital Shaker

<h2>What are orbital shakers?</h2>
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What You Will Find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<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>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to choose an orbital shaker</h2>
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
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

Labnet Orbit 1000 Digital Shaker without platform, 120V

The S2030-1000-B by Labnet International is the Orbit 1000 Digital Orbital Shaker (120V) with a 20-300 rpm speed range, 19 mm orbit, 4 kg max load, and +4°C to +65°C operating temperature, sold without platform; accommodates up to 4 x 1 L flasks with a compatible platform.

Motion/orbit size

Maximum capacity

Maximum load

Ambient operating range

Product literature

Labnet Pro 30 Reciprocal Shaker without platform, 120V

The S2030-RC-B by Labnet International is a 120V linear reciprocal shaker with a 5–150 spm speed range and 30 mm stroke length, sold without platform for maximum flexibility. A built-in 20–120 minute timer with HOLD supports extended protocols, and the 5 kg load capacity handles standard lab ware in blot washing, staining, and hybridization workflows.

Motion

Rollers & Rotators

<h2>What are tube rollers and rotators?</h2>
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/equipments/agitation-equipment/rollers-and-rotators">Rollers &amp; Rotators</a>:
<ul data-path-to-node="2">
<li>
Mini &amp; Digital Rotators: Compact benchtop rotating mixers and programmable units designed for smooth, continuous sample inversion.
</li>
<li>
Multi-Roller Tube Rollers: High-capacity 5-roller, 6-roller, and 10-roller systems engineered for uniform rolling of culture bottles and blood tubes.
</li>
<li>
Temperature-Controlled Rotators: Special incubated models that combine steady sample rotation with precise temperature management.
</li>
<li>
Platform Rockers: Basic single-platform shaking and rocking systems optimized for blot washes and gel staining procedures.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<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>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to choose rollers and rotators</h2>
&nbsp;
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.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
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>

Instruction Manual

Labnet ProBlot Rocker 25 single platform, 120V

The S2025-B by Labnet International is the ProBlot Rocker 25 single-platform bench rocker: 5-120 tilts/min, fixed plus/minus 7 degree tilt, 28.9 x 20.3 cm platform with non-slip rubber pads and elastic tie-downs. 120V. Rated for +4 to +65 degrees C (incubator safe). Ball bearing construction for quiet, maintenance-free operation. Stackable for double platform configuration.