Stir Plate Calibration

Among the variety of critical equipment and instruments used in biopharmaceutical laboratories, stir plates play an important role in mixing and liquid solutions. Stir plates are most commonly used in scientific industries including biology, chemistry, and biochemistry research related fields. To maintain accuracy of stir plates, it's important to calibrate the instrument regularly to keep the instrument working as needed and required for both the company and regulatory agencies. The team at GL Technologies has over 3 decades experience as an ISO 17025 company specializing in calibration and certification services for biopharma clients throughout the state of CA. We not only keep our clients' equipment accurate, but help them to meet regulatory compliance requirements.

To speak with the experts about your stir plate calibration needs, please fill out our online form or give us a call!

858-202-1408

What is a Stir Plate?

As stir plate, also referred to as a "magnetic stirrer", is device used in laboratories that is designed to facilitate the mixing and stirring of liquid solutions. Consisting of a flat platform, it is usually made of plastic or glass which is placed on a motorized base. A small magnetic bar, called a stir bar, is placed in the liquid solution. The stir plate generates a rotating magnetic field that causes the stir bar to spin rapidly, creating a vortex to agitate the solution. The rotational movement increases the mixing process by improving the distribution of reactants, increasnig the rate of chemical reactions of biological processes. Stir plates are primarily used in the biopharma industry to conduct experiments, dissolve substances, culture cells, and prepare samples for analysis.

stir plate calibration

Importance of Stirplate Calibration

Accurate Experimental Results

Stir plate calibration make sure that the stirring speed of a stir plate is consistent with the set value. This accuracy is vital for obtaining reliable experimental results, as different reactions may require specific agitation speeds for proper mixing. Consistent stirring speed reduces variability and verifies the uniformity of temperature and reactant distribution, leading to reliable outcomes.

Reproducibility

In biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing, reproducibility is important to maintain consistent results and reliability of research and production. With stir plate calibration, laboratories can maintain consistent stirring speeds, giving the ability to replicate experiments with a high degree of accuracy. Processes can then be easily scaled up from the laboratory to production, facilitating the development of biopharmaceutical products.

Regulatory Compliance

The biopharmaceutical industry operates under strict regulations, such as cGMP (Curent Good Manufacturing Practices and GLP (Good Laboratory Practices. Calibration of laboratory equipment such as stir plates, is an important component to maintain compliance with these standards. Documentation of the calibration procedure provides evidence of the instrument's performance, demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements.

Cost Effectiveness

Stir plate calibration also plays a role in cost savings in the biopharmaceutical industry. When stir plates are calibrated and working correctly, there is less likelihood of errors or experimental failures which reduces the need for repeated experiments. By identifying and fixing any performance issues early, calibration prevents equipment damage and extends the lifespan of the stir plates, reducing the need for costly replacements.

Calibration Process for Stirplates

Stirplate calibration typically involves the following steps:

Initial Assessment

The initial assessment involves a systematic evaluation to verify accurate and reliable operation. The process starts by inspecting the physical condition of the stir plate, checking for any damage or wear and tear that may affect performance. The calibration equipment is verified for accuracy and traceability which includes checking the calibration standards such as weight sets or torque gauges for their validity and certificates. The stir plate's speed control and tempertaure settings are examined so they align with the manufacturer's specs. A thorough review of the user manual and operating procedures is also conducted to identify any discrepancies or updates.

Speed Verification

The stir plate is set to the lowest speed setting and a tachometer is used to measure the actual speed of the rotation. The measured value is then compared to the manufacturer's specified speed at the lowest setting and adjustments are made if needed. The stir plate is incrementally adjusted to higher speed settings and the tachometer readings are recorded and compared to the manufacturer's specifications at each setting. If a deviation is detected, the stir plate is repaired or calibrated to bring back within the acceptable range.

Magnetic Field Distribution

Position a calibrated magnetic field sensor at the center of the stir plate's surface, a reference magnetic field strength is applied and the sensor readings are recorded at various positions to create a baseline map. Issues in the magnetif field distribution are identified by comparing the measured values with the expected values. Adjustments are made by manipulating the position and strength of the magnets within the stir plate, with the goal to achieve a uniform and consistent magnetic field across the entire surface.

Documentation

It's important to document the stir plate calibration including the date of the calibration, the equipment, who performed it, and the necessary adjustments that are made. Documentation works as evidence that the stir plate is working as required and results are accurate, which maintains compliance with federal regulations.

Why GL-Tec?

As a full-service company specializing in equipment calibration, repair, and certification services for biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Our team has extensive experience working with sPRT calibrations along with CMMS software, HPLC OQ validation, and fume hood certifications. Companies of all sizes rely on our team to implement, maintain, and keep their research and manufacturing processes compliant with regulatory standards. Other specialties include building maintenance systems, and mass spectrometry calibrations. We proudly provide stir plate calibration and repairs for organizations throughout San Diego and Los Angeles.

Our calibration services are ISO 17025 accredited, and we follow strict quality control procedures. Your equipment is calibrated to the highest standards. We also provide fast turnaround times, so you can get back to work with minimal downtime.