Eppendorf Innova 42 / 42R Incubated Shaker

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the shaker agitation rate & orbit affect culture growth?

• Generally, agitation speed & orbit affect both the aeration & the mixing of the culture. Greater aeration increases oxygen transfer rate (OTR), boosting cell growth. The size of the orbit affects OTR linearly & the speed has a square-law relationship. Therefore, if the size of the orbit doubles, say from 1/2 to 1," the amount of OTR should double?RPM?_1/?RPM?_2 = (r_2^2)/(r_1^2 ), then ?RPM?_2 = √(?RPM?_1^2 (r_1/r_2 ) ). If the speed doubles, the OTR should quadruple. Of course, these are general rules & caution should be taken with shear sensitive cells. However, this information can be used to estimate the conditions needed to obtain the same results on different model shakers. For example, to get the same oxygen transfer in a shaker with a 1 in orbit running at 300 rpm, a shaker with 3/4 in orbit must be run at 350 rpm."

Do New Brunswick Scientific shakers come with platforms?

• Each New Brunswick shaker is available with multiple platform options, which are ordered separately to give you the flexibility to choose the one that best suits your needs. Dedicated platforms include installed clamps of a single size (ie. 250 mL clamps) & provide the greatest capacity but does not allow for the use of different size clamps or holders. The most popular platforms are Universal Platforms which are designed for use with a combination of various-sized clamps & test tube racks providing more flexibility. When ordering a Universal Platform, clamps & test tube racks must also be ordered separately. For applications running below 250 rpm Sticky Tape and/or Sticky Pad are also available in lieu of clamps. (However Sticky Pad & Sticky Tape cannot be used in waterbath shakers)

What is the temperature offset function?

• The temperature offset function on many of our shakers allow you to match a reference point" temperature inside the chamber (culture medium) with the "Actual Value" displayed. The temperature offset function on Innova Incubated shakers allows you to monitor the temperature of the media providing you a clearer & more accurate picture. Please be aware that matching reference point temperatures to the Actual means you have to deal with many variables such as: greater evaporation; heat gains generated by cultures growing - (slowly at first & much more during their growth phase) & heat generated by the friction of media with the glass at high speeds or use of baffled flasks. Over time, the reference point temperature offset may need to change due to these varying conditions.

I want to grow my cultures at 27°C, do I need an incubated shaker with refrigeration?

• Our New Brunswick Incubated, non-refrigerated Shakers Innova & I-Series are designed to maintain temperatures of ambient plus 5 °C to its maximum operating temperature. The New Brunswick Incubated Excella shakers will operate from ambient plus 7 °C to maximum temperature. It is critical to understand that "ambient temperature is not the temperature on the wall thermometer (room temperature), but the temperature measured one meter from the front of the machine."

Why are some flask clamps supplied with an extra spring set?

• This "extra spring set" (we call it a girdle) is included with clamps for 2 L, 2.8 L, 4 L & 6 L flasks. It is intended to be used with the already installed spring set. This girdle helps prevent large flasks from spinning inside the clamp & reduces the risk of flasks becoming dislodged or scored by the steel clamp. One girdle is already in place on the clamp, the other is packed separately. To install this extra “girdle”, follow the instructions in the manual supplied with the shaker."

How is temperature accuracy defined by Eppendorf?

• Accuracy is defined as the degree of closeness between the displayed value & the actual value as determined by a traceable device. All New Brunswick Incubated Innova & I-Series shakers have a temperature Accuracy of ±0.1 °C from 30 – 40 °C, ±0.5 °C over the remaining range. New Brunswick Incubated Excella Shakers are accurate within 0.1°C at 37°C.

How is Uniformity defined by Eppendorf?

• Uniformity is the ability to maintain uniform temperatures throughout the platform. New Brunswick Incubated Innova Shaker temperatures will not deviate by more than +/- 0.25 °C at 37 °C.

What is an orbit?

• The orbit of a shaker is the distance traveled around the central drive. This can be described in inches, centimeters, or millimeters. If our shakers had a one inch (2.54 cm orbit. That means that that the lateral movement of the platform would equal one inch from one point to another that is 180° opposite that position. All of the New Brunswick. shakers have a circular orbit

Which rpms & orbits are recommended for my culture (bacteria, fungi, yeast, cells, algae..)?

• Recommended orbits for culturing: Bacteria: 250 rpm, Fungi: 200 rpm, Yeast: 120 - 300 rpm, Insect cells: 100 rpm & Algae: 110 rpm. These are general guidelines that should be optimized for your process.

What wavelengths are used in your growth lamps in a photosynthetic light bank?

• Each of the bulbs that is fit into our photobanks is a wide spectrum bulb that provides the red & blue wavelength of energy needed for photosynthesis. Innova 42R has six bulbs as the Innova 43R & 44R have nine bulbs. To have this option installed, the shaker needs to have the refrigeration option installed as well.

Which screws will fit to which platform?

• All of Eppendorf Inc. clamps & accessories are packaged with multiple screws to fix them to our universal platforms, included in M1013-0261 clamp screw kit (Stainless steel platform screw #S2117-3050 (10-32 x 5/16 in (7.9mm)), Stainless Steel, Aluminum, & Aluminum & Phenolic (Plastic) #S2116-3051 (10-24 x 5/16 in (7.9 mm)), & Wood #S2116-3101 (10-24 x 5/8 in (15.87mm)).

How can I store & monitor my data?

• BioCommand SFI is the tracking program that can record/monitor the shaker speed, temperature & humidity. The program software is downloaded into your PC & registered with Eppendorf Inc. This will store information until the PC's hard drive is full.

How can I disinfect, clean, maintain my shaker?

• We recommend cleaning the exterior of our units with a damp cloth or any standard household or laboratory cleaner to wipe the surfaces clean. Do not use abrasive or corrosive compounds to clean the instruments as they may damage the unit & void the warranty. It is the responsibility of the user to carry out the proper decontamination procedures if hazardous materials are spilled on or inside the equipment. Before using any cleaning or decontamination method other than those suggested by the manufacturer, users should contact Eppendorf Inc. to ensure that the proposed method will not damage the equipment. Commercially available household bleach solutions, when diluted at a 1:10 ratio, are effective in routine decontamination of the instrument. The method for decontaminating a spill depends on the nature of the spill. Spills involving fresh cultures or samples of known concentrations of biomass should be flooded with decontamination solution & soaked for at least 5 minutes before cleanup. Spills involving samples with high concentrations of biomass, or involving organic matter, or occurring in areas warmer than ambient/room temperature, should be exposed to decontamination solution for at least one hour before being cleaned up. Personnel involved in the cleanup of any spill should wear gloves, safety glasses, & a laboratory coat or gown during the cleanup process. Respiratory protection should be considered for spills where aerosolization is suspected.

What is the difference between a drip pan & a spill cover?

• The spill cover is 46 x 39 cm (18 x 15.37 in) & comes with the unit. The drip pan is 46 x 46 cm (18 x 18 in) & is ordered as an accessory for any 46 cm (18 x 18 in) platform. The incubated line of shakers comes with the spill cover, whereas the open-air shakers do not. The drip pan can be added below a universal platform, but it cannot be used with the spill cover.

Which flask type fits in which clamp?

• Please see the Accessories for New Brunswick™ Shakers: Dimensions & Capacities in the User guides section of the shaker product page.

Which vessel fits in Eppendorf Test tube racks?

• Please see the Accessories for New Brunswick™ Shakers: Dimensions & Capacities in the User guides section of the shaker product page.

What is the humidity option? Is the value of humidity shown in the display? How can I avoid evaporation?

• The humidity monitoring option that is offered with our Innova line displays the Relative Humidity (RH) of the chamber. This value will be reported if the shaker is equipped with the humidity sensor. The value can be shown in the main display screen if programmed to do so or the value can be viewed with all other parameters under the SUMM (summary) screen. The calibrated sensor is accurate within 3 % up to 95 % RH & 5 % up to 99 % RH. To avoid evaporation in the shakers, it is recommended to fill the humidification reservoir beneath the platform, this will mitigate loss of culture volume.

Why is the triple eccentric drive special? What is the difference between Innova & Excella Shakers drive?

• The Innova & I-series Triple eccentric drive consists of three individual bearings & eccentric shafts mounted in a triangular fashion for precise uniform circular motion at every point on the platform. Recommended for heavier loads. The heavy duty drive has a single shaft that utilizes springs to aid in balancing the load. This drive works great with small to medium loads at lower speeds.

How can I shake MTPs? Which parameters?

• New Brunswick Shakers manufactured by Eppendorf offer a variety of Micro Titer Plate holders that attach to our universal platforms. Our shakers offer a variety of orbits up to 5.1 cm (2 in) & speeds up to 500 rpm. If mixing is what is needed at higher speeds & smaller orbits you can find Eppendorf Mixers.

What is the heavy load platform?

• The Heavy Duty Platform (M1282-9928) is designed for use in the Innova 44 only. This platform is 0.95 cm thick aluminum plate that is recommended for shaking full loads of flasks greater than 1 L at or above 20 % fill volumes or flasks with baffles.