Editorial revision: 1 July 2026. This guide supports requirement definition and does not approve a centrifuge for a particular method or sample.
Start with the load that must be processed
Define the vessel before choosing the centrifuge. Record the tube or bottle type, material, nominal size, normal filled volume, cap arrangement, samples per batch and runs per day. A chamber that appears large enough may not accept the required rotor, and an adapter can change both usable capacity and permitted speed.
For mixed workflows, separate the routine load from occasional work. This helps distinguish a genuine multi-purpose requirement from an oversized configuration that adds cost without improving the main process.
Specify force, time and temperature in method terms
State the required RCF wherever possible, together with run duration and acceptable temperature conditions. Maximum RPM alone is not a complete performance requirement because force depends on rotor radius. When transferring an existing protocol, provide the current rotor and vessel arrangement so equivalence can be reviewed.
If refrigeration is needed, ask how temperature performance is characterised at the intended rotor speed and load. Pre-cooling, frictional heating, ambient temperature and repeated door opening can all affect the process. Do not convert a chamber set-point into an unsupported sample-temperature guarantee.
Choose a rotor concept that fits the separation
- Fixed-angle rotor: commonly selected for compact pellets and higher-force work, subject to the specific tube and rotor rating.
- Swinging-bucket rotor: useful where horizontal separation layers or a broad range of carriers is needed, but capacity and speed vary by bucket and adapter.
- Specialised rotor: microplate, haematocrit, cytology or other dedicated formats should be quoted only when the exact carrier and method are known.
The quotation should identify every rotor, bucket, lid, adapter and seal included. A generic statement such as “rotor supplied” is insufficient for technical comparison.
Address safety and containment explicitly
Safe use depends on correct loading, vessel condition, balance, rotor inspection, lid locking, rated limits and maintenance. Ask whether imbalance detection, overspeed protection, lid interlock and emergency release are included for the proposed model. These features do not replace operator checks.
Where samples may generate hazardous aerosols, define the containment requirement and decontamination process. Sealed accessories should be supported by model-specific documentation; a closed-looking lid is not evidence of biological containment.
Record installation and service constraints
| Requirement area | Information to obtain |
|---|---|
| Site | Bench or floor location, access route, ventilation, ambient range and service clearance. |
| Utilities | Approved voltage, frequency, connected load, plug, earthing and any stabilisation requirement. |
| Noise and vibration | Installation surface, levelling and any laboratory limits relevant to adjacent work. |
| Maintenance | Rotor inspection, cleaning compatibility, preventive maintenance and spare-part route. |
| Documentation | Datasheet, manual, rotor declaration, test records, installation checklist and warranty scope. |
A concise centrifuge URS checklist
- Application and sample-risk classification.
- Vessel type, working volume, positions and batch frequency.
- Target RCF, time range and acceleration or braking needs.
- Required rotor concept and all adapters or carriers.
- Temperature-control and monitoring requirement.
- Containment, cleaning and decontamination expectations.
- Electrical supply, space, access and environmental conditions.
- Required manuals, test records, installation, training and service scope.
Primary documents to verify
Technical approval should be based on the exact model datasheet, rotor and accessory manual, approved vessel compatibility information, installation requirements and the laboratory’s method and risk assessment. Preliminary family descriptions are useful for discovery but should not control purchase acceptance.