Keeping a centrifuge in working order takes time and attention
The maintenance on a centrifuge includes daily tasks plus professional repairs. Many of the procedures that extend a centrifuge’s life can be done by most anyone in a lab, and that’s a great start, but it’s not enough. Here, we’ll talk to a pro about some of the steps to take.
From Cole-Parmer (Vernon Hills, IL), product marketing manager biosciences Michael Steinert takes readers for a spin on centrifuge maintenance and more. For ongoing maintenance, Steinert says, “The centrifuge should be cleaned either daily, or when any component seems polluted.” For that cleaning, he recommends a neutral cleaning agent—a pH of 6 to 8. “Never use caustic cleaning agents,” he adds. After cleaning, each component should be rinsed with distilled water. Last, dry all of the components with a soft cloth. “Any water left can cause an electrical issue,” Steinert notes.
As a couple of other ongoing-maintenance tips, Steinert points out that “rotor pins should be kept clean and lubricated on a regular basis.” Plus, always run balanced loads. An unbalanced load “could break the rotor or cause a safety hazard,” Steinert states.
Beyond the cleaning and proper use, make a visual inspection on a regular basis. This can be done as parts are cleaned. Just take a look to make sure that all of the components look right and don’t show any undue signs of wear.
With the right care, a centrifuge can work for a long time. A NuAire white paper— “Centrifuge Maintenance: Protecting the Investment” (https://learn.nuaire.com/drug-discovery/centrifuge-maintenance)—states, “Highly precise devices can be costly, but also can have a useful lifespan of 10 years or more if properly maintained.”
Sometimes it takes a service call
Without following the steps noted above, trouble lies ahead. “If these steps are not periodically taken,” Steinert says, “residue and debris can cause a centrifuge to become unbalanced even when loaded correctly, damaging the machine.”
No matter how many special steps that lab personnel take to maintain the proper spin, things can just go wrong. “If the rotor does not appear damaged or worn, and the centrifuge is balanced, and it is not working properly, service may be required,” Steinert says. “The same is true if an error message is displayed on the screen.” For the error message, he adds, “consult the product manual for further steps.”
To make it even easier, a lab manager can sign a contract with a service provider to handle a centrifuge’s maintenance. “Third-party service contracts are recommended, as some maintenance procedures should only be undertaken by experienced technicians,” according to the NuAire white paper. “However, such service is meant to be a supplement to, not a substitute for, regular maintenance performed by staff.”
I laugh a bit to myself as I write this, because I failed to do most of the things mentioned here. Although I was careful to run balanced loads in my centrifuging days, I don’t recall doing any cleaning—well, unless I accidentally dumped something all over it. As for lubricating anything, not me—not once, not ever. I’m starting to think that I got lucky, lucky that the centrifuges that I used worked at all.
So, do as I say, not as I did. It takes more to maintain a centrifuge than closing the lid!
Mike May is a freelance writer and editor living in Texas. He can be reached at [email protected]