Choose a defined laboratory grinding package rather than a drive with its essential vessel missing. IKA catalog 0010010968 combines the MultiDrive basic with a reusable MI 250-S, 250 mL milling chamber and its standard stainless-steel beater.

Designed around impact milling of suitable hard, brittle and dry samples, the package offers a 3,000–20,000 rpm speed range, LED controls, a timer and interval operation. The 100–120 V, 50/60 Hz US configuration is distinct from other regional order codes.

IKA identifies it as the successor package for the M 20 mill. That means a different purchasing option, not identical hardware, interchangeable legacy accessories or automatic equivalence for an established analytical method.

One factory package, not an invented bundle

• MultiDrive basic drive, in the specified 100–120 V configuration.
• One MI 250-S sealed-version milling chamber, 250 mL maximum useful volume.
• Standard stainless-steel beater supplied with the chamber.
• The drive’s documented power cord, USB cable, socket wrench, disassembly tools and cleaning brush.

The vessel instructions also identify the cooling-circuit hose connections supplied with the chamber. An external cooling source, extra vessels, a tungsten-carbide beater, star-shaped cutter and software license are not established as part of this package.

The separately sold basic drive, US catalog 0025002639, does not include a milling vessel. This factory package supplies the specified MI 250-S rather than leaving the chamber selection to a later purchase.

Impact milling, not a universal sample-processing promise

The included standard stainless-steel beater is specified for feed hardness up to 5 Mohs and impact feed size up to 7 mm. The chamber has a 250 mL maximum useful volume. These are different limits: none establishes a guaranteed batch mass, final particle size or processing time for every material.

IKA describes dry-grinding applications for suitable hard or brittle materials. The drive instructions give examples such as grain, roasted coffee, seeds, salts and feed materials. Material behavior, moisture, fat content, loading and cooling all affect the result.

Fibrous material can require the separately selected star-shaped cutter and an appropriate method. The optional hard-metal beater has different limits; its ratings must not be advertised as the performance of this standard-beater package.

Not a contamination-free milling claim. The stainless-steel tool and chamber are in contact with the sample. Assess suitability for trace-metal or other contamination-sensitive analysis before choosing the method.

LED speed and time display, with straightforward operation

The MultiDrive basic uses a seven-segment LED display and a rotary/push control for speed and operation. It provides timer/counter functions and interval operation. The manual lists a Basic interval pattern of 13 seconds running and 2 seconds stopped; do not assume the Control model’s freely adjustable interval settings.

This is not MultiDrive control. The Basic drive does not provide the Control model’s weighing function, TFT display, temperature measurement, RFID reader or program/ramp-control functions. The MI 250-S in this package is also not a temperature-sensing T vessel.

The correct motor figures are 1,000 W rated input and 800 W rated output. Those figures are not interchangeable. The Basic drive’s own technical data and operating manual establish the Basic features used on this page.

Indirect cooling through the chamber wall

The MI 250-S has connections for a water-cooling circuit, allowing heat to be removed indirectly rather than mixing coolant with the sample. The vessel manual specifies a maximum cooling-circuit pressure of 0.5 bar and a cooling-fluid range of −5 to +40 °C.

The package does not include a recirculating chiller. Select a suitable external cooling arrangement and secure the hoses as instructed; do not connect an unrestricted pressurized supply or treat the jacket as a built-in refrigerator.

The manufacturer permits dry-ice cooling only within the applicable drive and vessel instructions, including ventilation and pressure precautions. Liquid-nitrogen cooling is not permitted in the chamber’s technical table.

Cooling does not turn the Basic drive into a temperature-controlled system or remove its duty-cycle limit. Temperature-sensitive samples may need shorter runs, a different vessel/drive configuration or another preparation method.

Set the method around the material, not the maximum dial setting

• Inspect the drive, chamber, lid, seals and beater. Use only undamaged, manufacturer-approved components.
• Choose a suitable feed preparation and charge. Respect the 7 mm impact-feed, 5 Mohs standard-beater and 250 mL useful-volume limits.
• Attach and close the vessel correctly. The manual identifies green status indication as ready for operation; never bypass the closure safety arrangement.
• Choose appropriate speed and time, watching for heat buildup, adhesion or overload. Stay within the maximum 5-minute run limit.
• Allow at least 10 minutes off for cooling. Wait for a complete stop and safe handling temperature before opening; disconnect power for accessory changes and cleaning.

Final granularity depends on the sample, loading and duration. No universal fineness, throughput, recovery or temperature is promised. Trained users should document their own suitable method and read both operating manuals before use.

An optional blending vessel is not in this package

The MultiDrive platform supports additional functions through separately selected vessels. The Basic drive can be paired with manufacturer-approved blending vessels for suitable mixing/wet-crushing tasks, but that does not mean such a vessel arrives in this order.

The adjacent manufacturer image illustrates the drive with an optional blending vessel. This package instead includes the MI 250-S chamber. Do not infer that both vessels, a large-volume blender or a dispersing attachment are supplied.

For wet milling, distinguish the sealed S version from an ordinary MI vessel and verify the material and actual supplied version. The vessel manual permits wet work in verified sealed S versions but marks solvents as not suitable. No blanket organic-solvent compatibility or pressure-reactor use is claimed here.

Hard or brittle dry samples

A suitable use case for the standard beater when feed size and hardness are within the published limits. Grain, suitable seeds, salts and other manufacturer-described sample classes still require method evaluation.

Samples sensitive to heating

Consider shorter runs, appropriate cooling and a validated preparation sequence. Basic does not measure sample temperature and its chamber is not the sensing T version.

Soft, fibrous or high-fat samples

These may behave differently from brittle dry feed. A different tool, preparation or vessel may be necessary. Do not assume the standard beater is the right configuration merely because the drive belongs to a versatile platform.

Material coats the wall instead of grinding

Review whether moisture, fat content, loading or material properties suit the selected method. More speed or a longer run is not automatically the answer, and the duty limit still applies.

Vessel or drive gets hot

Stop and allow the required cooling period. Check loading, speed and cooling arrangements. Do not treat the Basic display as a sample-temperature measurement or bypass a protective stop.

Residue or tool wear affects the result

Clean the chamber manually according to its instructions. Inspect the beater, seals and lid. Worn tools can change performance; material-contact wear must be considered in contamination-sensitive methods.