Stirring and mixing are the backbone of countless procedures in academic, industrial, and commercial laboratories. But how do you choose between overhead stirrers and magnetic stirrers?
Your decision largely depends on two critical factors: the scale of your operation and the viscosity of the medium you're stirring.
Overhead Stirrers: high-torque capacity to conquer heavy workloads
In general, overhead stirrers provide more energy and are more suitable for viscous samples and high-volume mixing. They are the go-to choice in industries ranging from food and material science to energy. Overhead stirrers feature a drive mechanism, controller, drive shaft, and stirring fixture that comes in various configurations, like propellers, which can be x-shaped, anchor-shaped, or flat panels.
Scilogex’s curated overhead stirrers come with a host of features like digital panels displaying rotation and torque, and even computer connectivity. These innovations are not just bells and whistles; they are crucial for labs that require detailed documentation and data tracking.
The main body of our overhead stirrer is made from sturdy aluminum. This ensures not only robustness but also efficient heat absorption and emission. By minimizing heat build-up, the stirrer guarantees longer and more effective operational time.
The principal consideration in choosing an overhead stirrer is the sample size and viscosity. Although these machines have power ratings, it’s often trial and error when it comes to matching them with specific materials.
When mixing high-viscosity samples with overhead stirrers, there is a danger of straining the drive motor, causing it to overheat and wear quickly. Some overhead stirrers will detect torque and if it gets too high, the power will be reduced or the unit will shut off entirely.
Others have red warning lights to indicate they’re overloaded. Our selection of overhead stirrers is equipped with a small internal fan, which helps to avoid overheating of the motor.
Magnetic Stirrers: the multi-functional choice for multitasking labs
Magnetic stirrers might be more complex in design but are easier to set up and use. They work via a drive magnet that spins a magnetically susceptible stir bar inside your container, often incorporating a separate heating element.
Gone are the days of magnetic stirrers with just two knobs. Modern versions come with sophisticated controls, including display panels that give readouts on various factors such as plate temperature, run time, and spin-bar revolutions.
Our hand-picked selection of magnetic stirrers is designed with special permanent magnets that maintain their spinning speed even in viscous samples.
Whether you're working on dissolution studies, titrations, media/reagent preparations, or synchronized stirring of multiple samples, Scilogex multi-position magnetic stirrers are the efficient and reliable choice.
With strong magnetic fields and precise speed control, you can expect nothing short of excellence.
- Multi-Position Capability: Why limit yourself to one? Stir up to 16 solutions at the same time. Our stirrers also come in different shapes, sizes, and configurations to fit your lab bench.
- Strong Magnetic Coupling: Our special permanent magnets ensure that your stir bar won't decouple, even with viscous fluids.
- Speed Ramping: Have complete control over spinning speed, especially when dealing with thicker solutions.
So, how do you decide?
If your lab deals with larger sample sizes and materials with significant viscosity changes, an overhead stirrer is likely your best bet. On the other hand, if you're working on a smaller scale and primarily dealing with less viscous materials, a magnetic stirrer could be the more convenient and functional choice. Choosing the right stirrer isn't just about saving time; it's about ensuring accurate and reliable results in your lab operations.
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