Collection: Centrifuges

A laboratory bench centrifuge is a piece of equipment commonly found in scientific laboratories that is used to separate substances of different densities within a liquid. The principle behind centrifugation is based on the application of centrifugal force, which causes particles in a sample to move away from the center of rotation. This process allows the separation of components based on their density and size.

Here are some considerations when you are acquiring laboratory bench centrifuges. 

Design and Construction:
Rotor: The centrifuge consists of a rotor, which holds the sample tubes or containers. The rotor spins at high speeds, creating the centrifugal force needed for separation.
Motor and Drive System: A powerful motor is responsible for driving the rotor at high speeds. The drive system ensures a smooth and controlled rotation.
Types of Centrifuges:

Fixed-Angle Centrifuges: In these centrifuges, the sample tubes are held at a fixed angle relative to the axis of rotation. They are suitable for pelleting particles to the bottom of the tube.
Swing-Bucket Centrifuges: The sample tubes are placed in swinging buckets that swing outwards as the rotor spins. This type of centrifuge is useful for gradient separations.
Speed and RCF (Relative Centrifugal Force):

Speed: Centrifuges operate at high speeds, often measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
RCF: RCF is a measure of the effective gravitational force applied during centrifugation. It is calculated using the formula RCF = 1.118 × 10^(-5) × r × (rpm)^2, where r is the radius of the rotor in centimeters.
Applications:

Cellular and Molecular Biology: Used for separating cellular components, such as organelles and proteins.
Clinical Diagnostics: Commonly employed in clinical labs for separating blood components like plasma and serum.
Biochemistry and Chemistry: Useful for isolating and purifying biomolecules.
Safety Features:

Lid Locks: Prevents the centrifuge from being opened during operation.
Imbalance Detection: Shuts down the centrifuge if an imbalance is detected, ensuring user safety.

Operation and Maintenance:
Loading: Sample tubes are loaded into the rotor, ensuring proper balancing.
Centrifugation: The centrifuge is operated at the desired speed and time.
Unloading: After centrifugation, the separated components can be easily collected from the sample tubes.

Regular cleaning, calibration, and inspection of the rotor and other components are essential for the proper functioning of the centrifuge.
Laboratory bench centrifuges are versatile tools that play a crucial role in various scientific and medical applications, aiding researchers and clinicians in separating and analyzing different components of biological and chemical samples.