A novel mixing device (Soft Elastic Reactor - SER) that induces mixing by vibration of the tank wall is presented and characterized using dimensional analysis. This type of mixing system, which does not have an agitator inside the tank, is interesting for specific mixing applications, although it is still seldom used due to the lack of knowledge about how it works. First, the set of dimensionless numbers governing the mixing time of the SER was established. Then, the shapes of mixing curves and the onset of different mixing regimes as a function of the fluid property (i.e., viscosity) and operating conditions (i.e., penetration depth and vibration frequency) were experimentally obtained. Results showed that a constant number of beatings is required to achieve the desired degree of homogeneity under a laminar regime, while a sharp decrease in the number of strikes can be observed when the laminar regime is over. The shape of the mixing curves for the SER was compared to those of conventional mixers in which agitation is ensured by the revolution around a vertical axis of a centered agitator. Similarities between the mixing curves are discussed: it appears that regardless of the mixer type, the key parameter governing the desired degree of homogeneity is the number of excitation cycles, i.e., either the number of agitator revolutions for classical mixers or the number of strikes for the SER. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.