The primary purpose of laboratory mixing is to homogenize a sample through emulsification or dissolution. Different mechanical instruments are used to perform either process, with varying parameters required to correctly agitate mixtures and encourage repeatable, controllable reactions. Rotators, for example, are typically used to dissolve solid particles in liquids to form an aqueous solution, and to prevent the formation of precipitations from solutions. This may be required for analytical and research purposes, or to formulate product precursors. Other laboratory mixing equipment includes:
• Vortexers, or orbital mixers.
This article will focus on the capacities and applications of rotators in more detail:
Rotators: Capacities & Applications
Rotators are equipped to spin sample tubes in a continuous 360° motion around a pre-determined orbital axis. The disc of a rotator typically enables the secure attachment of multiple test tubes of varying sizes, enabling researchers to simultaneously observe the conditions of varying analytes under identical experiment conditions.
A rotator is primarily used to mix samples, providing variable speeds and good degrees of process automation for laboratories of varying throughputs. The continuous motion of a rotator effectively agitates the particles within a sample flask or tube, preventing agglomeration of nanoparticles, proteins, or fatty cells in emulsions. This fully-tunable range of motion also reduces the potential formation of precipitates from dissolved solid particles. Rotators are routinely used for all manner of laboratory mixing applications, including embedding electron microscopy, creating blood cell suspensions, encouraging tablet disintegration, and washing precipitates in solvent solutions.
Glas-Col carries a robust range of rotators for laboratory mixing procedures, including:
• A variable speed rugged rotator with a 5 lb weight capacity and a continuous-duty motor capable of providing adjustable mixing actions;
• A small tube rotator capable of agitating up to 40 tubes of 5 – 10 mm parameters, with multiple mixing actions including motor tilting and speed variation;
• A digital rotator that provides outstanding automation properties to continually agitate solutions over long operating hours with speeds of up to 83 rpm;
• A mini-rotator for worktop applications, reducing the footprint of high-quality rotating equipment and providing the same exceptional end-over-end mixing processes with a capacity for up to 30 micro sample tubes;
• A dry powder rotator with a simple user-interface for variable rotation of heterogenous powder mixtures of up to 10 lbs;
• A pepsin digestibility rotator that is suitable for rotation within an incubating environment to study digestion of proteins under agitation in temperature sensitive environments.
Laboratory Mixers from Glas-Col
Glas-Col is a leading supplier of laboratory equipment for small, medium, and high-throughput research environments. We source, develop, and supply a robust range of laboratory mixers for distinct applications, including a diverse range of rotators for various scientific applications.
If you would like any more information about our range of rotators or any other products, please do not hesitate to contact us.