What is the Difference Between Rotary Shaker and Orbital Shaker?

In the world of laboratory equipment, shakers are an essential tool for researchers and scientists working across various fields such as microbiology, biochemistry, and materials science. Among the different types of laboratory shakers, rotary shakers and orbital shakers are two of the most commonly used. While both serve the purpose of mixing and agitating liquids and suspensions, they do so in different ways and are suitable for different applications. Understanding the differences between these two types of shakers is crucial for selecting the right equipment for your specific research needs.

What is a Rotary Shaker?

A rotary shaker operates by rotating a platform in a circular motion, often with a mechanical drive system. This type of shaker is primarily used for thorough mixing of materials in containers like flasks, bottles, or other types of laboratory vessels. Rotary shakers can produce a continuous, controlled movement in one direction.

Key Characteristics of Rotary Shakers:

• Motion Type: Rotary shakers move the platform in a simple circular or rotary motion, where the container is rotated 360 degrees.

• Speed Control: These shakers often offer adjustable speed settings to control the rotation speed of the platform.

• Applications: Rotary shakers are best for applications where continuous or vigorous mixing is required, including the mixing of viscous liquids or the agitation of samples in large volumes.

What is an Orbital Shaker?

An orbital shaker, on the other hand, creates an orbital or elliptical motion, where the platform rotates in a circular path while also moving up and down slightly. This motion mimics the way the Earth orbits the Sun, with the sample moving in a more circular or elliptical pattern. Orbital shakers are known for their gentle, uniform mixing capabilities and are ideal for more sensitive applications like cell culture and bacterial growth.

Key Characteristics of Orbital Shakers:

• Motion Type: Orbital shakers provide an elliptical or circular motion that creates a more gentle mixing action, ideal for applications where uniformity and sensitivity are important.

• Speed Control: Orbital shakers often come with adjustable speed settings, and the motion's intensity can be varied depending on the application.

• Applications: Ideal for cell cultures, bacterial growth, staining procedures, and other applications that require careful and consistent agitation.

Key Differences Between Rotary Shakers and Orbital Shakers

1. Motion Type

• Rotary Shaker: Produces a 360-degree continuous rotation, offering thorough agitation suitable for high-viscosity materials or large-volume mixing.

• Orbital Shaker: Provides a circular or elliptical orbital motion with slight vertical movement, making it more suitable for delicate or sensitive samples.

2. Vibration and Agitation Intensity

• Rotary Shaker: The continuous motion can create stronger agitation, making it more appropriate for samples that need more vigorous mixing or when large volumes of liquid are involved.

• Orbital Shaker: The gentle oscillation ensures uniform and less harsh agitation, which is ideal for biological applications such as growing bacteria or cell cultures that could be damaged by strong agitation.

3. Applications

• Rotary Shaker: Best suited for large-scale mixing applications, high-viscosity samples, or processes requiring robust agitation. Commonly used in the mixing of chemicals, extraction processes, and suspension of solids.

• Orbital Shaker: Primarily used in biological and biochemical applications, such as cell culture, bacterial growth, and solubility testing. It is particularly useful in sensitive environments where the integrity of the sample is paramount.

4. Capacity and Size

• Rotary Shaker: Often used for larger containers and bulk processing due to its ability to handle larger volumes or high-viscosity samples.

• Orbital Shaker: Typically designed for smaller-scale applications, though larger models exist. Most orbital shakers are designed for flasks, petri dishes, or microplates.

5. Speed Range

• Rotary Shaker: Can typically reach higher rotational speeds, which is ideal for vigorous mixing or agitating larger or more complex samples.

• Orbital Shaker: The speed range is generally lower than that of rotary shakers, but it can still achieve sufficient agitation for most laboratory applications. The motion is more suited to gentle and controlled agitation.

6. Design and Stability

Which Shaker is Right for Your Application?

Choosing between a rotary and an orbital shaker depends entirely on the specific needs of your laboratory work. Here are some guidelines to help you make the right choice:

• Use a Rotary Shaker if:

• You need to mix large volumes of liquid or materials with high viscosity.

• You are working with large containers or flasks.

• Your application requires more aggressive mixing, such as for chemical processes or extraction.

• Use an Orbital Shaker if:

• You are working with sensitive biological or biochemical samples like cell cultures or bacteria.

• You need gentle agitation to ensure uniform mixing without damaging the sample.

• You are performing applications like staining, washing, or solubility testing that require consistency and uniformity.

Conclusion

Both rotary and orbital shakers are essential tools in the laboratory setting, and each has unique benefits depending on the application. Rotary shakers excel at providing powerful agitation for large volumes and viscous substances, while orbital shakers offer gentle and consistent mixing, perfect for delicate samples like cells and bacteria. Understanding the differences between these two types of shakers will help you select the right one for your research needs, ensuring optimal results.

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