Product Description
LIGHT LABS is proud to offer the Benchmark Scientific Orbi-Blotter™ (Cat # BT30) — a uniquely positioned laboratory instrument that occupies a distinct niche between conventional platform rockers and standard orbital shakers — specifically engineered for the low-speed orbital shaking applications that define Western blot washing, antibody incubation, gel staining and destaining, membrane hybridization, and other molecular biology blotting procedures where gentle, continuous orbital motion must be precisely dialed in at the lowest possible speeds. The name says it all: Orbi-Blotter™ — an orbital shaker purpose-built for blotting.
The defining characteristic of the BT30 is its extraordinarily low minimum speed of just 3 RPM — the lowest minimum speed of any Benchmark Scientific orbital shaker by a wide margin (the standard Orbi-Shaker™ BT3001 starts at 30 RPM; the CO2-MP BT4500 starts at 200 RPM). This 3 RPM capability is critical for blotting applications where extremely gentle, non-foaming, slow orbital motion is required — particularly for delicate membrane antibody incubation steps where too much agitation can cause non-uniform antibody distribution, background noise, or membrane damage. The variable speed range of 3 to 70 RPM covers the entire spectrum of low-speed orbital applications — from ultra-gentle 3 RPM antibody incubation through moderately vigorous 70 RPM gel destaining — without ever entering the flask-shaking speed range that would be too aggressive for flat-vessel blotting applications.
The 19mm orbit of the Orbi-Blotter™ is the same proven orbit as the standard Orbi-Shaker™ series — providing thorough, even reagent coverage across the full surface of gel boxes, blot containers, staining trays, and other flat vessels with each revolution, even at the lowest speeds. The large 14" x 12" (35 x 30 cm) non-slip rubber mat platform accommodates multiple gel boxes or staining trays simultaneously. Optional stacking platform accessory available to double working area. Maintenance-free brushless motor. Cold room and incubator safe (+4°C to +50°C). 2-year warranty. LIGHT LABS is your trusted source for Benchmark Scientific laboratory equipment.
KEY FEATURES
- Lowest minimum speed of any Benchmark Scientific orbital shaker — variable 3–70 RPM; 3 RPM enables ultra-gentle, non-foaming orbital motion for the most delicate blotting and antibody incubation applications
- Purpose-built for blotting applications — variable speed range (3–70 RPM) covers the entire spectrum of Western blot washing, gel staining/destaining, and antibody incubation without entering flask-shaking speeds
- 19mm orbit — same proven orbital motion as the standard Orbi-Shaker™ series; thorough, even reagent coverage across flat vessels at any speed from 3–70 RPM
- Large 14" x 12" (35 x 30 cm) non-slip rubber mat platform — accommodates multiple gel boxes, blot containers, and staining trays simultaneously
- Load capacity: 3 x 2L (9 lbs / 4 kg) — handles fully loaded gel boxes and multiple staining trays
- Optional stacking platform — doubles usable work surface without additional bench footprint
- Maintenance-free brushless motor — longer service life; quiet operation; no brush wear
- Cold room and incubator safe — +4°C to +50°C; ideal for cold room antibody incubations
- Continuous operation — no timer; plug in and go; ideal for extended overnight incubations
- 115V or 230V, 50–60 Hz; 50W
- Dimensions: 14" x 12" x 8" (35.5 x 30.5 x 20 cm)
- Weight: 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg)
- 2-year warranty
- Made by Benchmark Scientific
SPECIFICATIONS
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | BT30 |
| Brand | Benchmark Scientific |
| Product Name | Orbi-Blotter™ |
| Motion Type | Horizontal circular orbital |
| Speed Range | Variable 3–70 RPM |
| Orbit | 19 mm |
| Timer | Continuous operation (no timer) |
| Platform Size | 14" x 12" (35 x 30 cm) |
| Platform Mat | Non-slip rubber mat (included) |
| Load Capacity | 3 x 2L or 9 lbs (4 kg) |
| Motor | Maintenance-free brushless |
| Operating Temperature | +4°C to +50°C |
| Stacking Platform | Optional — available separately |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 14" x 12" x 8" (35.5 x 30.5 x 20 cm) |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
| Electrical | 115V or 230V, 50–60 Hz; 50W |
| Warranty | 2 years |
ORBI-BLOTTER™ BT30 vs. STANDARD ORBI-SHAKER™ BT3001 — KEY DIFFERENCES
| Feature | Orbi-Blotter™ BT30 | Orbi-Shaker™ BT3001 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Speed | 3 RPM | 30 RPM |
| Maximum Speed | 70 RPM | 300 RPM |
| Speed Range | 3–70 RPM | 30–300 RPM |
| Best Application | Blotting; gel staining; antibody incubation | Flask culture; vigorous mixing |
| Timer | None — continuous | 1 min to 99 hr |
| Platform | 14" x 12" rubber mat | 13" x 12" rubber mat |
| MAGic Clamp Compatible | No | Yes |
| Best For | Low-speed flat vessel applications | Flask and tube shaking |
APPLICATIONS
- Western blot antibody incubation at ultra-gentle 3–10 RPM — non-foaming, even coverage
- Western blot primary and secondary wash steps at moderate speeds
- SDS-PAGE and agarose gel staining and destaining
- Coomassie Blue and SYPRO Ruby gel staining at low orbital speeds
- Southern, Northern, and dot blot membrane hybridization incubations
- ELISA plate incubation and washing at gentle orbital speeds
- Immunofluorescence slide washing and antibody incubation
- Cold room antibody incubations requiring gentle continuous orbital motion
- Any low-speed flat-vessel application requiring gentle, non-foaming orbital mixing at 3–70 RPM
ORDERING INFORMATION — BENCHMARK SCIENTIFIC ORBI-BLOTTER™ & ORBI-SHAKER™ SERIES
| Cat # | Product | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT30 | Orbi-Blotter™ | Variable 3–70 RPM | Low-speed blotting; gel staining; antibody incubation |
| BT3001 | Orbi-Shaker™ | Variable 30–300 RPM | Standard flask and tube shaking |
| BT1011 | Orbi-Shaker™ XL | Variable 30–300 RPM | High-capacity flask shaking |
| BT302 | Orbi-Shaker™ Jr | Variable 50–300 RPM | Compact flask shaking |
