Agitators for small volume

Applications of Small-Volume Agitators

• Laboratory Testing: Small-volume agitators are used in labs for mixing small batches of chemical compounds, formulations, and samples for testing.
• Pharmaceutical and Biotech R&D: Used for developing drug formulations, these agitators help in blending active ingredients and ensuring uniform consistency in small test batches.
• Cosmetic and Personal Care Products: Ideal for mixing small quantities of creams, lotions, and other products during formulation testing or quality control.
• Food and Beverage: Employed in mixing flavorings, syrups, and other small-batch ingredients in product development and testing.
• Paints and Coatings: Used to blend pigments, additives, and solvents in sample sizes for color matching and quality assurance.

Design Features of Small-Volume Agitators

• Compact Design: These agitators are lightweight and portable, designed to fit on laboratory benches or small production tables.
• Precision Control: Small-volume agitators often feature precise speed and time controls, allowing users to fine-tune agitation settings for delicate mixing tasks.
• Variety of Impellers: Small agitators come with interchangeable impeller designs (e.g., paddle, propeller, and turbine) to accommodate different mixing needs, from low-shear blending to high-shear dispersion.
• Stainless Steel or Plastic Construction: They are typically constructed from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or high-grade plastic, making them suitable for various chemicals and reagents.
• Digital Controls and Display: Many small agitators are equipped with digital control panels, allowing for easy adjustment of speed, timer settings, and reproducibility in experiments.

Types of Small-Volume Agitators

• Magnetic Stirrers: Common in labs, these are small, magnetic devices that use a rotating magnetic field to spin a stir bar within a beaker or flask, providing gentle agitation without a direct impeller.
• Overhead Lab Stirrers: These are small, mounted agitators with interchangeable impellers that can be used with various lab containers and allow for adjustable mixing speeds.
• Handheld or Portable Agitators: Lightweight, handheld models that allow for flexible and quick mixing of samples, especially useful for fieldwork or where space is limited.
• Impeller Agitators for Small Vessels: These agitators have small impellers that fit into tiny vessels, ideal for precise, gentle mixing in closed containers.

Key Functions of Small-Volume Agitators

• Blending and Homogenization: They ensure even distribution of ingredients in samples, critical for achieving consistent results in formulations and testing.
• Suspending Particles: In applications requiring solid particles to remain evenly dispersed (like suspensions), small agitators prevent sedimentation.
• Dissolution and Emulsification: Small agitators help dissolve solids into liquids or create emulsions in applications like pharmaceutical testing or food flavor development.
• Sample Preparation: Agitators ensure that samples are well-mixed for accurate testing, essential in laboratory and R&D settings.

Advantages of Small-Volume Agitators

• Precision and Reproducibility: Small-volume agitators offer high precision and control, allowing for consistent and reproducible results, especially important in research and quality control.
• Energy Efficient: These devices are optimized for low power consumption, making them cost-effective and suitable for labs where many units may operate simultaneously.
• Versatile Use: Suitable for a range of applications due to their compact size and flexibility, small-volume agitators can handle liquids, suspensions, emulsions, and powders.
• Space-Saving: Designed to occupy minimal space, these agitators are ideal for small laboratories or workbenches.

Design Considerations for Small-Volume Agitators

• Container Compatibility: Small agitators should fit the specific size and type of containers used, whether they’re beakers, test tubes, or small flasks.
• Impeller Type and Speed Control: Depending on the material being mixed (viscous vs. low-viscosity), the agitator should have appropriate impellers and speed options.
• Material Compatibility: It’s essential to choose agitators constructed with compatible materials, especially if mixing aggressive chemicals or sensitive formulations.
• Temperature and Sterility Requirements: In pharmaceutical or biotech applications, agitators may need to work in sterile environments, so design features like easy-to-clean surfaces or autoclavable parts are important.