A vortex mixer is crucial, versatile and simple lab equipment that is used to homogenize the liquid sample smoothly. This mixer equipment is generally constructed by an electric motor and a vertically oriented drive shaft which is attached to a cupped rubber piece. This rubber piece oscillates fast in a circular motion after starting the motor.
It has a good footprint with a high rpm. It is very much used in quality control testing laboratory as well as biochemical, bioscience, and analytical laboratories. This piece of equipment is very essential to mix the reagents, suspended cells and various testing samples rapidly.
The motion is transmitted into the liquid sample from the motion of the rubber cup holder then a vortex is created. This equipment is available, with the option of continuous function or on-demand function for various type laboratories.
This lab equipment consists of two or four plates to mix the various samples at the same time. The ranging of speed of this equipment is generally 100 to 3,200 rpm but it can be modified based on the analysis needs. It can be applied a downward pressure on the rubber piece to give good flexibility and control the mixing process easily.
The sensitive biological applications, high throughput operations as well as the chemical industries quality control laboratory are needed this mixer equipment very largely. The capability of this lab equipment can be increased easily by attaching various parts based on the customer needs for the good agitation and mixing the samples.
Principle of Vortex Mixer
The principle of this crucial lab equipment based on the oscillation of a cupped rubber piece part connected to a vertically oriented drive shaft. The rubber piece of this device oscillates quickly in a good circular motion after activating the motor.
The motion from the rubber piece transfers into liquid sample and create a vortex to mix the sample in an effective manner after creating a good circular motion generated by the motor part. A turbulent flow is created by this vortex and results mixing and blending activities into the sample mixture.
It creates a powerful and efficient sample mixing state after creating a rapid circular oscillation. It can be obtained homogenize the small amounts tested sample mixture very effectively after creating a good motion from the rubber piece.
The vortex from the rubber piece mixes and blends the liquid sample very vigorously which makes the vortex mixer as important lab equipment for numerous applications in chemistry based laboratories.
Vortex Mixer Diagram
Parts of a Vortex Mixer
This essential lab equipment consists of various parts which discussion is given below:
Motor: This part is considered as the most important component of this equipment which locates directly below the cup head. It creates the necessary vortex for mixing the liquid sample effectively after rotating in a good circular motion.
Main Switch: This part controls the power supply into this equipment and allows it to be turned on or off.
Speed Controller Knob: This part helps to adjust the rotational speed. It can be increased or decreased the speed by turning the knob.
Operation Controller Button: This part has programming capabilities for the mixer’s operation. It helps to the users for choosing between direct rotation and simple rotation.
Cup Head: It holds the test sample and can be changed based on the customer needs. This part is available in various sizes for good mixing the sample. It is generally made by rubber and provides a soft surface to hold glass test tubes used in mixing purposes.
Platform for Tubes: This part holds the different size tubes and allows for the mixing of multiple samples at once.
Time Display: This monitor shows and controls the duration of the mixing process.
Speed Display: This part of vortex mixer shows the rotational speed during operating this equipment.
Operating Procedure Vortex Mixer
At first, connects the power cable to this equipment for passing the power supply. Then select the touch or continuous mode for operation based on your requirements. Then turn on the main switch for supplying the electricity through the device. Then it must adjust the rotation speed by turning the speed control knob.
It can start at the lowest speed at front panel control knob and increase the speed gradually to the desired level. It can apply gentle pressure to the cup head or accessory holder during touch operation mode to initiate the mixing process properly.
Then the mixer will be starting and mix the solution. It must release the pressure from the cup head or accessory holder after completing the task. After mixing the sample, you should turn the speed control knob to the lowest setting for reducing the rotation speed. Finally, it must switch off the main switch for ending this mixing operation completely.
Types of Vortex Mixer
There are many types of this essential laboratory equipment based on the applications which discussion is given below:
Variable Speed Vortex Mixer: This type consists of a speed controller which allows the users to adjust the rotation speed ranging from 100 to 3000 rpm. It is available in both touch and continuous modes. This vortex mixer handles multiple tubes simultaneously.
Analog Vortex Mixer: This type has a speed control knob which can be turned effectively to adjust the mixing speed. This piece of equipment is available in both continuous mode and touch mode.
Digital Vortex Mixers: A touchpad in this type equipment adjusts the speed for controlling the speed. A LED type screen in this equipment shows the exact speed and time. It is available for both continuous mode operation and touch mode with the cup head.
Fixed-Speed Vortex Mixer: This type is designed for getting powerful mixing state. Cup head accessories are used very much in this equipment and operate at a fixed high speed at touch-down mode.
Mini Vortex Mixer: This mixer is portable and suitable for mixing small volume of samples, typically ranging from 0.5 to 50 ml. This mini equipment is available in both digital and analog version in market.
Pulsing Vortex Mixer: A glass bead is attached in this mixer for getting effective cell disruption in this mixer. The pulsing action of this mixer helps to reduce the heat production at the time of mixing the liquid sample. This mixer can be operated in both touch and continuous modes.
Microplate Vortex Mixer: This mixer is designed specifically for microplate applications in a continuous mode based on the mixing contents in microplates which is available in digital and analog versions.
Uses of Vortex Mixer
This crucial lab equipment has a lot of applications in different fields for having quick and effective mixing abilities. Some applications of this lab device are discussion below:
Pharmaceutical Uses: This equipment is used in the Pharmaceutical sector for heating and mixing purposes. It is used very much to make various formulations and creates a uniform distribution of ingredients.
Medical Sector Uses: This equipment is used very much in clinical and medical sectors for thawing and mixing a lot of samples. It is essential for various type analyses, and maintains diagnostic procedure effectively.
Cell and Tissue Analysis Purposes: It is used to analyses the suspend cell or tissue samples. It helps to get the homogeneous mixture of cells or tissues with the required reagents and buffer solutions.
Protein and Enzyme Research Fields: It provides the homogenization of samples and leads to proper mixing and interaction between the components to ensure accurate analysis.
DNA Extraction Purposes: This piece of equipment is used very much to get a homogenous sample mixing during analyses of cells and to extract the DNA for various analyses.
Education Purposes: This mixer is used in schools, colleges and universities for getting a good mixing knowledge into the samples during practical demonstrations and experiments.
Quality Control Testing Lab: It is used in various industries for preparation of samples as well as getting the accurate analysis and assessment.
Chemical Mixing Purposes: It is used in laboratories for rapid mixing of chemicals homogenously. The
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is vortex Mixer?
A vortex mixer is a simple lab equipment that is used to mix the liquid samples quickly.
What is the function of a vortex mixer?
A lot of biological applications, high throughput operations, pharmaceutical industries as well as the chemical industries quality control laboratory are needed this mixer equipment for mixing the various samples.
What is the principle of vortexing?
The principle of this device based on the oscillation of a cupped rubber piece part connected to a vertically oriented drive shaft which create a vortex to mix the sample in an effective manner after creating a good circular motion generated by the motor part.
What are the uses of vortex mixer?
This mixer is used in pharmaceutical industry, chemical process industry, petrochemical industries, Quality control lab and microbiological lab for homogeneous mixing the liquid samples.
