IKA ROCKER 3D digital Wobble Shaker, Tilt Angle 0 to 15°, 2 kg, 0004001000

Moving a gel too vigorously while destaining can ruin the result just as much as shaking it too briefly. The IKA ROCKER 3D digital does not move samples in a circular motion like a vortex mixer, but in a wobbling motion: the shaking platform tilts slowly in all directions, and the tilt angle can be set between 0 and 15 degrees. With a permissible shaking load of 2 kg and a speed that can be regulated between 5 and 80 revolutions per minute in 1 rpm steps, the unit is suitable for noticeably larger and more sensitive batches than the smaller orbital shakers lab dancer and Vortex 2 from the same IKA range.

Gentle wobbling motion instead of vortexing

The wobbling motion mixes more evenly and more gently than a fast circular motion. This is particularly noticeable in applications where the sample is not to be shaken through but only slowly wetted, for example when staining and destaining gels or when distributing cells in a culture dish. The tilt angle can be set continuously between 0 and 15 degrees, and the flatter the angle, the calmer the movement. Unlike vortexing, this type of movement produces hardly any turbulence at the liquid surface, which is an advantage in applications with sensitive cell aggregates or with the slow diffusion of staining solutions into a gel.

Timer and continuous operation with LED display

A 7-segment LED shows both the set speed and the timer. The time can be set between 1 second and 5,999 minutes, or alternatively the unit runs in pure continuous operation without automatic switch-off. For applications with a fixed incubation time, for example a defined staining duration, the timer can be set exactly to this value instead of keeping an eye on the clock manually. Both values, speed and remaining time, can be read on the same 7-segment LED, and switching between the displays is done using the controls on the unit.

Stackable shaking tables for more capacity

The shaking table of the ROCKER 3D digital can be stacked, and when stacked the height is only 30 mm per level. Anyone who wants to run several batches in parallel without placing several units side by side gains noticeable bench space this way. The permissible ambient temperature range of 4 to 50 °C also allows operation directly in the incubator, for example during a cell culture at constant temperature. At a dead weight of 2.3 kg and external dimensions of 280 x 185 x 330 mm, the unit can be moved between the laboratory bench and the incubator without great effort.

Typical applications

The gentle wobbling motion and the wide temperature range make the ROCKER 3D digital particularly interesting for biological and molecular biology applications in which mixing too vigorously would damage the sample:

• Homogeneous mixing in flasks, culture flasks, Petri dishes and tubes
• Growing cell cultures with even, gentle mixing
• DNA extractions with defined incubation times via the timer
• Even distribution of cells in culture vessels
• Staining and destaining of gels in molecular biology analysis
• Operation at 4 to 50 °C directly in the incubator or heating cabinet

Brief differentiation within the shaker family

For individual small tubes and short touch use, the ROCKER 3D digital is oversized, and the compact lab dancer with fixed speed or the Vortex 2 with adjustable speed and attachments are better suited. Both work with a circular instead of a wobbling motion and are designed for considerably lower shaking loads (0.1 kg for the lab dancer, 0.4 kg for the Vortex 2 compared with 2 kg for the ROCKER 3D digital). Anyone who regularly alternates between brief vortexing of individual tubes and gentle wobbling of larger batches has the right solution for every task at hand with both types of movement in the range.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1 x IKA ROCKER 3D digital
• 1 x non-slip rubber mat

Differences from the neighbouring series

If instead of the wobbling motion you need a pure rocking about one axis, the IKA ROCKER 2D series with the ROCKER 2D basic and the ROCKER 2D digital offers two rocking shakers with a simpler axis of movement. Anyone who only needs slow, axis-bound rocking without tilt angle adjustment is often already well served by these two models. Within the 3D wobble shaker series itself, LT Laborhandel also carries the ROCKER 3D basic as an entry-level variant without timer and digital display. An overview of all shakers is offered by the category Mixers, stirrers and shakers.

Application, installation and maintenance

The wide temperature range of 4 to 50 °C allows operation both on the laboratory bench and directly in the cold room or incubator, and the permissible relative humidity is 80 percent. Protection class IP 21 offers basic protection against contact and coarse dust, and the unit is not designed for damp rooms. The non-slip rubber mat in the scope of delivery prevents vessels from slipping during the wobbling motion, and it should be cleaned regularly, especially after contact with staining solutions. Additional mats and matching test tube holders can be added if required, for example when round flasks rather than flat culture flasks are to be fixed in place. The shaking table itself needs no separate maintenance, and an occasional check that the mat is firmly seated is sufficient. At the end of its service life, the unit as electrical equipment belongs in the separate collection of waste electrical equipment and not in household waste.

Individual requirements & procurement service

For the ROCKER 3D digital, LT Laborhandel carries additional mats (RD 1, RD 2) and test tube holders (A 2, TB 1 to TB 4) for different vessel shapes, plus factory calibration certificates and IQ/OQ documents. Do you need a specific holder for your vessel size, a second rubber mat as a spare part or support in choosing between the IKA shakers? Through our procurement service , LT Laborhandel supports you with procurement and configuration.

Frequently asked questions

How strongly can the tilt angle be adjusted?
Continuously between 0 and 15 degrees, and the flatter the angle, the calmer the wobbling motion.

Can the unit be operated in an incubator?
Yes, the permissible ambient temperature range extends from 4 to 50 °C, which covers typical incubator and cold room conditions.

Can several units be stacked?
The shaking table itself is stackable, and when stacked the height per level is 30 mm.

How long can the timer be set for at most?
Between 1 second and 5,999 minutes, or alternatively pure continuous operation without automatic switch-off is available.

Is a mat included in the scope of delivery?
Yes, a non-slip rubber mat is included, and it holds vessels in position during the wobbling motion. For other vessel shapes, additional mats and test tube holders can be procured separately.

How does the unit differ from the Vortex 2?
The Vortex 2 moves samples in a circular motion at up to 2,500 rpm, whereas the ROCKER 3D digital wobbles at a maximum of 80 rpm, considerably gentler for sensitive cell cultures and gels. For individual tubes with firm pressing, the compact lab dancer.