Product Description
LIGHT LABS is proud to offer the Benchmark Scientific Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 (Cat # BT4001) — the only orbital shaker in the Benchmark Scientific lineup specifically engineered for continuous operation inside CO2 incubators and other extreme laboratory environments where temperature, humidity, and atmospheric control are critical. The Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 is not simply a conventional orbital shaker placed inside an incubator — it is a purpose-built instrument designed from the ground up for the unique operational, environmental, and contamination-control requirements of CO2 incubator shaking applications.
The defining challenge of operating an orbital shaker inside a CO2 incubator is contamination control and environmental stability. Standard orbital shakers must be accessed directly to adjust speed or timer settings — which requires opening the incubator door, releasing CO2, disrupting temperature equilibrium, and potentially contaminating the sterile incubator environment. The Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 eliminates this problem entirely through its included remote controller — a separate control module connected to the shaker via a flat cable that passes through the incubator door seal or port. All speed and timer adjustments are made from the remote controller outside the incubator without ever opening the door — maintaining CO2 atmosphere, temperature stability, and sterile conditions throughout the entire shaking protocol.
The flat cable design of the BT4001 is specifically engineered to prevent gas leakage — unlike round cables that create gaps in incubator door seals, the flat cable maintains a tight seal at the door opening, preventing CO2 escape and maintaining atmospheric conditions inside the chamber. The instrument withstands temperatures from 0°C to 65°C and humidity levels up to 100% — providing reliable operation across the full range of CO2 incubator conditions including standard 37°C tissue culture incubation and colder incubator shaking workflows. Constructed from corrosion-resistant materials for long-term reliability in high-humidity environments. MAGic Clamp™ compatible. 2-year warranty. LIGHT LABS is your trusted source for Benchmark Scientific laboratory equipment.
KEY FEATURES
- Specifically designed for CO2 incubators and extreme environments — purpose-built for operation in CO2, humidity, and temperature-controlled chambers; not a standard shaker adapted for incubator use
- Remote controller included — adjust speed and timer from outside the incubator chamber without opening the door; maintains CO2 atmosphere, temperature stability, and sterile conditions
- Flat cable design — prevents CO2 gas leakage through door seal; unlike round cables that create gaps; maintains airtight incubator seal
- Wide temperature range: 0°C to 65°C — operates from cold room conditions through standard and elevated incubator temperatures
- 100% humidity tolerance — corrosion-resistant construction for long-term reliability in saturated humidity CO2 incubator environments
- Variable speed: 30–300 RPM in 1 RPM increments — same precise speed control as standard Orbi-Shaker™ BT3001
- 19mm horizontal circular orbit — thorough mixing and aeration for cell culture and bacterial flask applications inside CO2 incubators
- Programmable timer: 1 min to 99 hr / continuous — fully automated unattended incubator shaking
- 13" x 12" non-slip rubber mat platform included — accommodates up to 5 x 1L or 2 x 2L flasks
- Load capacity: 5 x 1L or 14 lbs (6.4 kg)
- 60.5 inch (154 cm) cord — long cord for flexible incubator placement and remote controller routing
- MAGic Clamp™ compatible — optional MAGic Clamp platform (BT3000-MR, sold separately) for high-speed flask mixing
- 115V or 230V, 50–60 Hz; 50W
- Dimensions: 11.9" x 13.4" x 3.5" (30 x 34 x 9 cm)
- Weight: 25 lbs (11.5 kg)
- 2-year warranty
- Made by Benchmark Scientific
SPECIFICATIONS
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | BT4001 |
| Brand | Benchmark Scientific |
| Product Name | Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 |
| Motion Type | Horizontal circular orbital |
| Speed Range | 30–300 RPM |
| Speed Increment | 1 RPM |
| Orbit | 19 mm |
| Timer | 1 min to 99 hr / Continuous |
| Control | Remote controller (included) — operates from outside incubator |
| Cable Type | Flat cable — prevents CO2 gas leakage at door seal |
| Platform Size | 13" x 12" (33 x 30 cm) |
| Platform Mat | Non-slip rubber mat (included) |
| Max Flask Capacity | 5 x 1L or 2 x 2L Erlenmeyer flasks |
| Load Capacity | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Temperature Range | 0°C to +65°C |
| Max Humidity | 100% |
| Construction | Corrosion-resistant for high-humidity environments |
| Cord Length | 60.5 in (154 cm) |
| MAGic Clamp™ Compatible | Yes — optional BT3000-MR platform (sold separately) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +65°C |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 11.9" x 13.4" x 3.5" (30 x 34 x 9 cm) |
| Weight | 25 lbs (11.5 kg) |
| Electrical | 115V or 230V, 50–60 Hz; 50W |
| Warranty | 2 years |
WHY THE ORBI-SHAKER™ CO2 IS NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH A STANDARD ORBITAL SHAKER
| Challenge | Standard Orbi-Shaker™ BT3001 | Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 BT4001 |
|---|---|---|
| Speed/Timer Adjustment | Requires opening incubator door | Remote controller — no door opening needed |
| CO2 Leakage Risk | Round cable creates door seal gaps | Flat cable maintains airtight seal |
| Humidity Tolerance | Standard — not rated for 100% RH | 100% humidity — corrosion-resistant |
| Temperature Range | +4°C to +65°C | 0°C to +65°C |
| CO2 Environment | Not designed for | Purpose-built |
| Best For | Bench-top orbital shaking | Inside CO2 incubators and extreme environments |
APPLICATIONS
- Mammalian cell culture flask shaking inside CO2 incubators (37°C, 5% CO2)
- Suspension cell culture requiring continuous CO2-controlled orbital agitation
- Protein expression in mammalian cell systems inside CO2 incubators
- Bacterial and yeast culture inside CO2-controlled or controlled-atmosphere chambers
- Cell-based assay incubations requiring continuous orbital agitation inside CO2 incubator
- Any application requiring orbital shaking inside a CO2 incubator without disrupting the CO2 atmosphere, temperature, or sterile conditions
ORDERING INFORMATION — BENCHMARK SCIENTIFIC ORBI-SHAKER™ CO2 & STANDARD SERIES
| Cat # | Product | Environment | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT4001 | Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 | CO2 incubators; 100% humidity | Remote controller; flat cable; 0–65°C |
| BT4501 | Orbi-Shaker™ CO2 XL | CO2 incubators; 100% humidity | Larger platform; same CO2 features |
| BT3001 | Orbi-Shaker™ | Bench-top | Touch screen; brushless motor |
| BT1011 | Orbi-Shaker™ XL | Bench-top | High-capacity 18x18"; beltless motor |
| BT302 | Orbi-Shaker™ Jr | Bench-top | Compact; space-saving |
