14 Orbital Shaker Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for orbital shakers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 14 orbital shaker manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked orbital shaker companies as of April, 2024: 1.Heathrow Scientific, 2.Superior Gearbox Company, 3.NDS Technologies, Inc..
Table of Contents
What Is an Orbital Shaker?
Figure 1. Image of a typical shaker
A shaker is a device for stirring a sample by shaking a container, such as a test tube, triangular flask, or aliquot funnel at regular intervals.
It is sometimes also called a shaker. The size of the sample holder, the intensity of shaking, and the upper limit of heating temperature vary depending on the device. It is necessary to select an appropriate orbital shaker according to the experimental conditions and the number of samples.
Uses of Orbital Shakers
Orbital shakers are used in testing and research applications. They are commonly used in life science and chemical experiments where constant shaking is required for extended periods of time.
In biochemistry, applications include DNA and RNA extraction, in which small vessels such as microtubes are used. In immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, orbital shakers are used in the form of seesaw shakers that use Tupperware or similar vessels.
In chemical experiments, besides stirring during reactions, the shaker is also used to separate the layers during extraction. Other applications include dissolution testing in environmental and soil testing, food allergen testing, and food pesticide residue testing. In these cases, shaking must be performed in accordance with official test methods (e.g., official methods for food allergen testing, etc.), so it is appropriate to use a compliant product.
Principle of Orbital Shakers
An orbital shaker has a power unit built into the base at the bottom of the shaking table. The power unit transmits power from the motor to the pulleys via a belt, which converts the rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion of the shaking table.
Compared to the stirring of a magnetic stirrer, the stirring force is generally weaker. Orbital shakers, on the other hand, have the advantage that they can be used to shake very small vessels, such as microtubes, which do not accommodate stirrer tips.
Shaking also makes it possible to extract samples from solids immersed in a solution. Some devices also provide sample holders so that numerous samples can be shaken at one time.
Types of Orbital Shakers
Figure 2. Shakers used mainly in biochemistry and other fields 1
Types of orbital shakers can be classified according to the type, available vessel, size, and application.
1. Type of Shaker
Depending on the product, the type of shaker can be reciprocating, swiveling, or seesaw, and the direction of shaking can be horizontal or vertical. The speed is also adjustable, but whether it is step or non-step depends on the product. Some products have a built-in timer.
Figure 3. Shaker used mainly in biochemistry and other fields 2
2. Usable Vessels
Various types of containers are available depending on the product. The main types of vessels include well plates, microtubes, test tubes, centrifuge tubes, and vials. Larger vessels include aliquot lots and triangular flasks. Seesaw-style products are mainly used with tupperware or petri dishes on top.
Various types are available, such as those in which containers are set with claw clamps, or those that are simply placed on a stand. The spring-net type, in particular, is highly versatile, as it can be easily attached regardless of the shape of the container. Depending on the product, usually several containers can be attached.
3. Size of the Orbital Shaker
The size of the orbital shaker itself can range from small to medium tabletop to large floor-mounted stationary shakers. Some of the larger floor-mounted models can be fitted with two-tiered triangular flasks.
4. Specific Applications
For elution tests and food allergen tests required by official laws, there are dedicated, strong orbital shaker products that comply with various laws and regulations. For these applications, dedicated products should be used.
Orbital shakers integrated with thermostatic chambers are also used when microorganisms are to be cultured. Other specialized products include shakers for high humidity. These products are intended for use in extremely humid environments, such as inside CO2 incubators.
List of 14 Orbital Shaker Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Ireland
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
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Heathrow Scientific
DIGITAL ORBITAL SHAKER
Manufacturer Overview
Heathrow Scientific is a global manufacturer of benchtop equipment and laboratory essentials, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Vernon Hills, Illinois. The company offers over 800 laboratory items spanning multiple scientific categories, including life sciences, clinical applications, academic, and government research. Its product line includes freezer boxes, shakers, centrifuges, refractometers, and pipettes. It also offers labware washers and dryers, microscope slide holders, and workstation essentials. The company operates manufacturing facilities in the USA, China, and Malaysia, and it distributes its products to more than 100 countries worldwide. It caters to the education, healthcare, industrial, and research sectors.
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Benchmark scientific
Orbital Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Benchmark Scientific, founded in the US in 2004, is a manufacturer and supplier of laboratory equipment used for life scientific research. It provides research laboratories with cost-effective products to enhance efficiency, safety, and results. Company’s product line includes a range of buffet laboratory equipment, such as orbital/rocking, incubated shakers, hotplates-stirrers/magnetic stirrers/overhead stirrers, and more. It also offers incubators, scales/balances, thermal cyclers, cell counters, and other instruments. With an emphasis on technology, Benchmark Scientific aims to support scientific advancements and improve laboratory practices.
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Biolab Scientific Ltd.
Orbital Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Biolab Scientific Ltd., established in 2014 and located in Toronto, Canada, is a manufacturer of laboratory supplies and equipment. The company specializes in the manufacturing of a diverse range of products, including laboratory shakers, centrifuges, hotplates, freezer dryers, and water baths. The products are equipped with precision, stability, and advanced features, making them essential tools for scientific research, diagnostics, and quality control applications. These products find applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, biotechnology, and academic research.
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NDS Technologies, Inc.
Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
NDS Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1990 with corporate headquarters in Vineland, New Jersey. The company is a developer, designer, and manufacturer of high-quality specialty glassware, plastic, and related products for scientific use in industry, government, and education. The company provides customer support, engineering, and manufacturing services to all customers and partners. The company provides a complete line of products from arsine generators to flasks to vials. The company offers manufacturing capabilities in many varieties of components such as chromatography, machining, and opto-electronics.
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Superior Gearbox Company
Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Superior Gearbox Company, founded in 1975 and based in Stockton, Missouri, is a manufacturer of gearboxes and gear drives for power transmission systems. Its range of drives includes bevel, worm gear, right angle, and spindle for various applications in diverse industries such as agriculture, heavy trucks, construction, marine, and sports equipment. The company’s quality control and customer-intensive service are strengths that ensure every product is of a high standard and can deliver excellent service. Additionally, the company’s ability and willingness to custom engineer products enables it to serve customers with specific needs.
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Esco Micro Pte. Ltd.
Orbital Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Esco Micro Pte. Ltd., founded in 1978 and based in Singapore, is a manufacturer and service provider of life science tools. Its products include air showers, animal research workstations, anti-vibration tables, bioreactors, cell harvesting systems and more. As a manufacturer of biopharma and laboratory equipment, and IVF medical devices, the company provides solutions to laboratories in various industries. Esco has direct sales and service outlets in more than 21 countries. It owns eight manufacturing and R&D centers in China, the US, Europe, and the UK. It delivers its products to more than100 countries.
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Munro Instruments Limited
SHAKERS-ORBITAL
Manufacturer Overview
Munro Instruments Limited, founded in 1864 and based in Harlow, Essex, is a manufacturer of meteorological, hydrological, and environmental monitoring equipment. The company product range includes portable meteorological sensors, weather stations, air quality samplers, and pendulum testers for evaluating slip and skid potential. Organizations worldwide, including meteorological offices, airports, defense ministries, power stations, and offshore rigs, receive supplies of these products. In 2019, it became part of the MRC group of companies and offers a range of laboratory equipment. The company offers detailed repair and calibration services to meet customers' needs.
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Labtron Equipment Ltd.
Orbital Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Labtron Equipment Ltd., established in 2015, is a British manufacturer located in Camberley, Surrey, specializing in laboratory equipment and analytical instruments. Their range of laboratory equipment includes amino acid and biochemistry analyzers, analytical balances, automated strainers, and freeze dryers, as well as various analytical instruments such as air permeability testers, airborne particle counters, and carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen (CHN) elemental analyzers These products are widely utilized in scientific research, testing, and educational laboratories. Moreover, they serve various industries, including food, polymer, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemical.
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INOVIA TECHNOLOGY
Orbital Shakers
Manufacturer Overview
Inovia Technology is a manufacturer of laboratory consumables and equipment established in 2012 and located in Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey. The company primarily offers consumables, reagents, and kits for syndromic testing and genetic disease research. It also offers PCR devices for DNA or RNA testing, centrifuges for sample separation, and nucleic acid separation systems for molecular biology analysis processes. The company is ISO 9001:2008 and TSE-certified, and mainly serves the biotech industry as well as clients in laboratory research operations.
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Laboratory Supply Distributors, Corp.
Shakers
Company Overview
Laboratory Supply Distributors, Corp. was founded in the early 2000s and is headquartered in Vineland, New Jersey. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of unique products for the analytical, environmental, research, pharmaceuticals, and academic communities. The company’s product and service mix expedites and simplifies customers’ analysis process. Brands the company stocks include National Scientific, Wheaton Science Products, J.G. Finnegan, and Agilent Technologies. Products include vials with screw caps, test tubes, culture plates, and almost any component and tool used in laboratory operations.
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Hercuvan Lab Systems
Orbital Shaker
Company Overview
Hercuvan Lab Systems, established in 2011, is a supplier of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments. Their expertise spans development, marketing, distribution, and after-sales service. They cater to life science, biotech, research labs, and academia globally, offering advanced lab solutions such as microvolume spectrophotometers, thermal cyclers, and precision pipettes. The company's product line encompasses centrifuges, incubators, shakers, and more. Operating via a network of international distributors, Hercuvan Lab Systems ensures quality products and support for scientific advancement.
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Royce Metal Products Limited
ORBITAL SHAKERS
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VWR International, LLC
Advanced Mini Shaker 15, Orbital Shaker
Distributor Overview
VWR International, LLC is a significant supplier of laboratory equipment and chemicals. Established in 1852, the company operates from its headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania, United States of America. VWR International, LLC offers an array of laboratory essentials, including scientific instruments, chemicals, and consumables. Its products support diverse industries such as biopharma, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies and applied materials industries. The company's services encompass equipment maintenance, VWR custom canufacturing services, calibration, and technical assistance, catering to the needs of laboratories across various sectors.
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Fisher Scientific
Orbital Shakers
Distributor Overview
Fisher Scientific UK Ltd is a supplier of laboratory chemicals, equipment, and services based in Loughborough, United Kingdom, operating as a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a merger of Fisher Scientific International, Inc. and Thermo Electron in 2006. With a portfolio of over 2 million products, Fisher Scientific offers chemicals, reagents, equipment and instruments, consumables, and safety products. These products cater to various sectors, including clinical diagnostic and research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, healthcare, and government agencies. Fisher Scientific also provides business solutions like the New-Lab Start-Up program, as well as SureTRACE and SureTRACE+ for product knowledge and supply chain management.
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Orbital Shaker Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heathrow Scientific |
17.0%
|
| 2 | Superior Gearbox Company |
15.1%
|
| 3 | NDS Technologies, Inc. |
15.1%
|
| 4 | Munro Instruments Limited |
9.4%
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| 5 | INOVIA TECHNOLOGY |
7.5%
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| 6 | Benchmark scientific |
7.5%
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| 7 | Esco Micro Pte. Ltd. |
5.7%
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| 8 | Biolab Scientific Ltd. |
5.7%
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| 9 | Labtron Equipment Ltd. |
3.8%
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| 10 | Fisher Scientific |
3.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the orbital shaker page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- Esco Micro Pte. Ltd.: 1978 (46 years ago)
- Superior Gearbox Company: 1975 (49 years ago)
- Munro Instruments Limited: 1864 (160 years ago)
Company with a History
- Munro Instruments Limited: 1864 (160 years ago)
- Superior Gearbox Company: 1975 (49 years ago)
- Esco Micro Pte. Ltd.: 1978 (46 years ago)
Orbital Shaker Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- Heathrow Scientific
- Benchmark scientific
- Biolab Scientific Ltd.
- NDS Technologies, Inc.
- Superior Gearbox Company
Global Distribution of Orbital Shaker Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
5 | 45.5% |
United Kingdom
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4 | 36.4% |
Singapore
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1 | 9.1% |
Ireland
|
1 | 9.1% |
