When choosing a centrifuge, you need to consider both its internal and external qualities.
Release time:
2020-07-08
Overview:
Centrifuge Choosing the right product no longer has to be a headache—just start by understanding these aspects. In short, “take care of both inner and outer beauty!”
Although centrifuges from different manufacturers may look similar, there are many subtle differences inside, and their quality can vary significantly. It’s indeed not easy to find a reliable manufacturer.
Centrifuge samples are mostly corrosive, and under the combined stress of high-load operation and chemical corrosion, the actual service life of the rotor is significantly reduced compared to the lifespan advertised by the manufacturer. Therefore, users should regularly and carefully inspect rotor components that are prone to corrosion—such as the bottom of the tube holes, the junction between the rotor base and the spindle, and the large-threaded area at the rotor’s upper section—and carry out routine maintenance diligently. Be sure to lubricate the rotor frequently and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and maintenance.
After daily use, simply turning off the centrifuge is not enough—proper maintenance is essential. This includes performing basic cleaning, inspecting the centrifuge tubes, lubricating the rotor, and storing it appropriately. Only in this way can you ensure a healthy and safe operational foundation for your low-speed centrifuge.
1. After centrifugation is complete, if the equipment will not be used again that day, please wipe away any dirt from the centrifuge chamber, rotor, and centrifuge tubes using a clean, soft cloth.
2. Regularly inspect the rotor and centrifuge tubes for cracks.
3. When the instrument needs to be discontinued for more than one month, please remove the rotor from the centrifuge chamber, apply a thin layer of grease to the rotor’s central hole and to the centrifuge’s spindle, and store the rotor in a dry place.
When a centrifuge shuts down automatically, it can pose significant risks to both the equipment itself and the entire process system, potentially damaging critical components. Therefore, non-human-induced shutdowns of centrifuges must be treated with great caution. The possible causes are as follows: three points.
1. Electrical malfunction. If this is determined to be the case, promptly contact electrical maintenance personnel to inspect and address the electrical components.
2. If the slurry volume exceeds the allowable limit, causing the torque arm controller to automatically disengage and activate the automatic protection feature, the centrifuge may come to a stop. In this situation, the operator needs to manually rotate the torque arm clockwise. If there is no resistance, re-engage the torque arm, restart the centrifuge, and adjust the feed rate accordingly. However, if there is resistance, remove the small end cover, flush the drum with water, and rotate the belt back and forth until you confirm that the drum is free of accumulated material and rotates smoothly before restarting the centrifuge. Additionally, based on the on-site conditions, check whether the centrifuge’s discharge port is blocked by material. If the blockage is severe, it will cause excessive load on the equipment and likely trigger an automatic shutdown of the centrifuge. In such cases, you must immediately clear the discharge port, remove any accumulated material, and thoroughly clean the drum. Only after confirming that the drum is completely clean can you restart the centrifuge.
3. Other reasons, such as the motor overheating and triggering the thermal protector to trip, can also cause the centrifuge to stop. In such cases, it is essential to promptly contact maintenance personnel for assistance.
The centrifuge itself has a resonance zone; when the speed reaches this zone, the machine may experience slight vibrations, which is a normal phenomenon. If the centrifuge exhibits significant vibration, you should check whether the samples are properly balanced and whether each sample tube contains an equal amount of liquid. For example, if there are eight sample tubes, the correct placement would be two tubes in each basket at the same position, rather than four tubes placed symmetrically. Using the centrifuge according to proper operating procedures can extend its overall service life. The bearings or bearing housings on the motor may be severely worn. The upper end of the motor spindle may be bent. Imbalanced loading, asymmetrical placement of two test tubes, unequal weights of the rotor tubes, excessive shards of glass inside the rotor tubes, or improper fit of the rotor tube sleeves can all cause problems. If the rotor is not centered within the magnetic field—that is, if the air gap around the rotor is inconsistent or the outer casing is deformed and improperly positioned—friction may occur, resulting in noise. Loose mounting screws between the motor and the base, an off-center rotating shaft, or uneven machine feet can also lead to issues. In centrifuges equipped with shock-absorbing springs, loose fixing screws or broken springs may occur.