Labnet Spectrafuge 16M Microcentrifuge Service Manual - Manual (Page 3)

Section 1
General Description of Operation
This centrifuge is generally used in biological and biochemical research laboratories where small
samples must be subjected to high RCF (g-force) for relatively short time intervals (usually thirty min-
utes or less).
Designed to accept popular micro-test tubes with captive caps in a high speed rotor, this centrifuge will
provide centrifugal forces as high as 16,000 times the power of the earth's gravity (16,000 x g)*
The major functional components of the centrifuge are as follows:
Motor Brushless DC motor.
Printed Circuit Board The "brain" of the centrifuge, the microprocessor based circuit board
controls the lid lock, operation, speed and acceleration/deceleration rates
of the unit.
Speed Control Located on the left side of the front panel. Turn to set the desired speed.
Speed is set directly with this knob, i.e. a setting of 4 corresponds to
4,000rpm, a setting of 10 corresponds to 10,000rpm, etc.
Timer This knob is located on the right side of the front panel. It acts as both an
on/off switch and a timer. The desired time is set by turning the knob.
Time is set in 1 minute increments, to a maximum of 30 minutes. Turning
the knob to the zero position starts the deceleration of the rotor to a stop.
The timer can be bypassed by pressing the quick button. A hold
position can be actuated by rotating the timer knob counterclockwise. The
knob may be turned in either direction before or during a run without
damaging the mechanism.
Lid Latch This electronic mechanism prevents operation of the centrifuge when the
lid is open. Driven by a solenoid and controlled by the circuit board, this
latch keeps the lid locked until the rotor has almost come to a complete
stop. An emergency lid latch release, located in the left side of the unit
below the quick button, allows access to the rotor in case of a power
failure or component malfunction.
Lid Switch Located to the right of the front panel. Pressing this button
opens the lid of the centrifuge. This switch is disabled while the centri-
fuge is in operation.
Lid Lock Indicator Located above the speed control. Indicates that the unit is in operation.
When lit, the lid switch is disabled.
Quick Button For short or quick spins. The centrifuge will operate at the preset speed
while this button is pressed and stop when it is released.
*Rotational speeds of this magnitude can be converted to "rim speeds" of nearly 300 miles per
hour. Use extreme caution when working with this equipment. The technician should inspect the
rotor periodically for visible signs of damage or stress. The rotor screw should be checked for
tightness.
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