Vortex mixers are essential equipment for any lab that combines liquids, solutions, and suspensions. They use technology that delivers blasts of energy to the components, mixing them at a cellular level, unlike centrifuges or similar equipment that only mix materials together. However, not all vortex mixers are the same. These machines are designed to meet specific mixing needs, available in analog or digital formats, and can operate at speeds ranging from 200 to 4500 RPM. This variety is necessary to handle the limitless range of materials and methods in a lab setting. Our extensive catalog includes models that can handle virtually any mixing task you might need a vortex mixer for; you just need to choose the vortex mixer that best suits your lab’s needs.
All-Around Vortex Mixers
If your lab regularly combines different materials in a variety of unique ways, you’d likely be better served with a vortex mixer that’s less specialized and more suited to admirably tackle a great number of mixing tasks. The Ohaus VXHDDG Heavy-Duty Vortex Mixer fits that bill and then some, as its flexible design allows users to handle materials in a variety of different vessels and mix them at either user-set or digitally-controlled speeds.
Though this model is a little more expensive than similar models in our catalog, its ability to be fitted with a wide range of accessories eliminates the need for other mixers, which may in fact save you money on your overall equipment costs. Those accessories allow the VXHDDG to work with microtubes, microplates and tubes ranging from .5 to 50 milliliters. That flexibility – when combined with its heavy-duty construction and its ability to run continuously – makes the VXHDDG the workhorse of any lab, especially for applications that demand repeatable results.
High-Speed High-Volume Vortex Mixers
Speaking of workhorses, certain models of vortex mixers are better suited for high-volume labs that require a large number of samples to be processed with exceptional speed and accuracy. Most vortex mixers, including the Ohaus VXMTAL Multi-Tube Vortex Mixer, feature interchangeable foam racks that allow you to simultaneously vortex up to 15 tubes ranging from 10 to 29 millimeters in diameter. You achieve this by securing the top of the sample while the bottom rotates at a manually-set or digitally-controlled speed. Suction cups set into its base anchor the incredible motion of this machine, preventing the VXMTAL from sliding even when operating at full capacity.
Space-Saving Mixer
If your lab is already packed with equipment, you probably don’t want to add more machinery and make it even more crowded. Fortunately, the Lab Companion VM-96A Vortex Mixer has a low-profile design and a small footprint, fitting into even the most cramped spaces. This compact machine can be equipped with a wide range of accessories, making it versatile and convenient. It operates in touch, continuous, and high-continuous modes and offers dynamic and real-time mixing abilities.
The VM-96A is budget-friendly, with an affordable purchase price and low maintenance needs due to its sparkless, quick-accelerating BLDC motor. If you want to match your new mixer with existing equipment, Lab Companion offers mixers in various colors. These include the Orange VM-96TO and Persian Blue VM-96TB models, which are stylish, efficient, and compact.
Test Tube Mixer for Precision Jobs
Though all laboratory equipment should be precise, some models are simply better at producing repeatable results than others. The Ohaus VXMPDG Microplate Vortex Mixer is one of those models, a microprocessor-controlled piece of precision machinery designed to operate continuously throughout its speed range. It is particularly useful for procedures such as enzyme and protein analysis in incubating and molecular biology applications. Its digital controls allow the user exact and simultaneous command of both the model’s operation speed and its timer, allowing for easy on-the-fly adjustments. Though its high speed and small orbit make the VXMPDG ideal for microplate mixing, it also comes with a cup head accessory to mix components in single tubes when necessary.
Mixers for Your Laboratory Equipment
The models listed above are by no means the entirety of our mixer catalog. Please browse our vortex mixer listings online for our extensive selection of machines and accompanying accessories. Need help deciding which mixer is best for your lab? Please feel free to send us an e-mail.
Our knowledgeable customer service associates can help you choose the model that best suits your needs. They can also recommend other Certified MTP items to boost your lab’s capacities and capabilities. A vortex mixer is a simple yet essential laboratory equipment device. It extensively mixes small vials of liquid in biological, chemical, and clinical laboratories. The mixer achieves homogeneous mixtures efficiently and effectively in a short time.
This overview provides comprehensive insight into the vortex mixer, covering its design, functionality, applications, benefits, limitations, and evolving features.
Design and Working Principle of Vortex Mixers
A typical mixer consists of a motor with a vertically aligned drive shaft attached to a rubber cup mounted slightly off-center. The Kraft Brothers, while working for Scientific Industries in the 1960s, invented the vortex mixer and filed a patent for the apparatus for mixing fluent material. Pressing a test tube engages the rapid circular motion. It transfers to the liquid, creating a vortex. Thoroughly mixes the contents inside. This simple design is robust and highly effective.
Functionality
Some models have a “touch mode,” activating the vortex only when you apply pressure to the rubber piece. They also have a “continuous mode” for longer or unattended mixing sessions. Alternatively, you can adjust the ‘finger vortex’ technique, manually creating a vortex by striking a test tube in a forward and downward motion with your finger or thumb.
Applications in Various Fields
Mixers with vortex have a wide range of applications across various scientific disciplines: 1. Biological Sciences: For mixing reagents, cell suspensions, and experimental samples in biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology. 2. Clinical Laboratories: Used for mixing blood samples, reagents, and other fluids in clinical diagnostic applications. 3. Chemical Research: Essential for quick and thorough mixing of chemicals and solutions in research labs. 4. Educational Labs: Commonly used in academic institutions for teaching purposes and routine experiments.
Benefits
The mixer offers several advantages: 1. Efficiency: Rapid mixing of samples saves time, especially valuable in high-throughput settings. 2. Ease of Use: Simple operation makes it accessible to users of all skill levels. 3. Uniform Mixing: This creates a homogenous mixture, crucial for the accuracy and consistency of experimental results. 4. Versatility: Can be used with various types of tubes and vials, adding to its practicality in diverse laboratory settings.
Limitations
Despite its numerous benefits, the vortex mixer has certain limitations: 1. Limited Volume: Generally only suitable for small-volume samples. 2. Potential for Cross-Contamination: If not used carefully, there’s a risk of sample spillage and cross-contamination. 3. Physical Stress on Samples: Vigorous vortexing can sometimes be detrimental to delicate samples or cells.
Technological Advancements and Future Trends
Recent advancements in vortex mixer technology include: 1. Digital Control: Enhanced precision with digital speed control and timers for reproducible results. 2. Multi-Tube Capacity: Some modern designs allow for the simultaneous mixing of multiple samples. 3. Noise Reduction: Newer models focus on reducing operational noise, a significant advantage in busy laboratory environments.
Conclusion on Vortex Mixers
The vortex mixer is a staple in many laboratories due to its simplicity, efficiency, and effectiveness. While primarily used for mixing small liquid samples, its versatility accommodates a variety of scientific applications. As laboratory needs evolve, so do the features of vortex mixers, with modern designs offering more control, capacity, and convenience. Despite its limitations, the vortex mixer is essential for research. It plays a crucial role in scientific advancement. Researchers and technicians rely on it.
