The BT4500 is the Orbi-Shaker CO2-MP — combines CO2-incubator compatibility (like BT4001 / BT4011) with a microplate-specific platform (like BT1502) in a single chassis. Sold at $4,227 — positioned between the BT4001 CO2 standard ($3,976, vessel platform) and BT4011 CO2 XL ($5,514, larger vessel platform). Critical capability for mammalian cell plate culture inside CO2 incubators: 96-well / 384-well plate-format suspension culture, plate-based bioassays running in incubator atmosphere with continuous orbital agitation.
Author confidence note (MEDIUM): No specific BT4500 brochure in available corpus. Specs sourced from universe label. Confirm exact microplate platform configuration (number of plates, plate clamp design), environmental hardening specifications, and remote-controller cable length with Benchmark Scientific technical support.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| SKU | BT4500 |
| Type | CO2-incubator-compatible orbital shaker with microplate platform |
| Platform dimensions | 13" × 12" (microplate-specific configuration) |
| Environmental compatibility | 37 °C / 5 % CO2 / high humidity CO2 incubator atmosphere |
| Controller architecture | Remote controller (electronics outside incubator) |
| Voltage | 115 V or 230 V, 50–60 Hz (discrete variants) |
| Sister CO2 vessel platforms | BT4001 (CO2 standard 13×12" rubber mat, $3,976), BT4011 (CO2 XL 16×16.5", $5,514) |
| Sister non-CO2 microplate | BT1502 (Orbi-Shaker MP standard, $1,221) |
| List price | $4,227 |
Why CO2-MP — Plate Culture in CO2 Incubator
Mammalian cell plate culture in CO2 incubators is a workflow-critical use case that no other BT chassis covers:
| Workflow | BT1502 microplate (non-CO2) | BT4001 / BT4011 CO2 (vessel) | BT4500 CO2-MP (this product) |
| Microplate platform | Yes | No (vessel platform) | Yes |
| CO2 incubator compatible | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mammalian plate culture in incubator | No (no incubator) | No (no plate platform) | YES — only chassis covering this workflow |
| List price | $1,221 | $3,976 / $5,514 | $4,227 |
Pick the BT4500 (CO2-MP) when:
- Workflow is mammalian cell plate culture in CO2 incubator — 96-well / 384-well plates requiring continuous orbital agitation in incubator atmosphere
- Plate-based bioassays in CO2 incubator — assays requiring incubator atmosphere AND plate-format orbital agitation
- Pharmaceutical / biotech plate culture facility procurement
Pick BT1502 ($1,221) for bench-environment plate orbital workflows (non-incubator).
Pick BT4001 ($3,976) for vessel / flask CO2-incubator workflows (non-plate).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the BT4500 unique in the BT family? It is the only BT chassis that combines CO2-incubator compatibility with a microplate-specific platform, making it the single chassis that covers mammalian cell plate culture inside a CO2 incubator.
What environment is the BT4500 compatible with? It is built for the 37 °C / 5 % CO2 / high-humidity atmosphere of a CO2 incubator, with a remote controller that keeps the electronics outside the incubator.
How does the BT4500 compare to the BT4001 and BT1502? The BT4001 is a CO2-compatible vessel/flask platform (non-plate); the BT1502 is a microplate platform but not CO2-compatible. The BT4500 combines both — microplate format plus CO2-incubator compatibility.
What voltage does the BT4500 use? 115 V or 230 V, 50–60 Hz (discrete variants); the 230 V configuration is available by special order.
Ordering & Configuration
Confirm CO2 incubator compatibility — including microplate platform clearance in the incubator (microplate workflow may require different incubator shelf spacing than vessel workflows).
Confirm voltage and plug type.
Plan remote controller cable routing through incubator port.
Confirm at quote: voltage / plug type, CO2 incubator dimensions / microplate clearance, intended plate-culture workflow context, controller cable routing, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Benchmark Scientific standard capital-equipment terms.
BT4000 CO2 family — pick by platform format:
- BT4001 / -E — Standard CO2 vessel platform 13×12" ($3,976) — flask / vessel workflows in incubator
- BT4500 / -E (this product) — CO2-MP microplate platform 13×12" ($4,227) — plate workflows in incubator
- BT4011 / -E — XL CO2 vessel platform 16×16.5" ($5,514) — production-scale vessel workflows in incubator
Pick the BT4500 for the unique mammalian cell plate culture in CO2 incubator workflow; sister CO2 vessel chasses cover flask / vessel incubator workflows; non-CO2 BT1502 covers bench-environment plate workflows. See BT4001 anchor for full CO2-incubator chemistry.
