MKN TDL-5 Benchtop Low-Speed High-Capacity Centrifuge

Overview

The MKN TDL-5 is a benchtop low-speed high-capacity centrifuge engineered for routine separation tasks in life science, clinical, pharmaceutical, and environmental laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled gravitational force—utilizing horizontal swing-out rotors to generate reproducible relative centrifugal force (RCF) across heterogeneous liquid samples. Designed for applications requiring gentle yet effective pelleting of cells, blood components, precipitates, or suspended particulates, the TDL-5 delivers stable rotational performance at speeds up to 4000 rpm and maximum RCF of 2770 × g. Its compact footprint and lightweight construction enable flexible placement in shared lab spaces without compromising structural rigidity or operational stability. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment and incorporates mechanical and electronic safeguards aligned with GLP-aligned operational workflows.

Key Features

• Horizontal swing-out rotor configuration with built-in imbalance protection—automatically halts operation if mass distribution exceeds safe tolerance during acceleration or deceleration.
• Digital touch interface with real-time display of rotational speed (rpm), elapsed time, and calculated RCF—enabling precise method replication and audit-ready parameter logging.
• Electronically interlocked lid mechanism with dual safety switches and redundant thermal fusing—prevents inadvertent lid opening during operation and mitigates overheating risks from prolonged use.
• Brushless DC motor coupled with microprocessor-based speed regulation—ensures consistent torque delivery across load variations and extends service life under continuous duty cycles.
• Stainless steel rotor chamber and rotor body—resistant to corrosion from common reagents including saline buffers, ethanol, and diluted acids; compatible with standard autoclaving protocols for decontamination.
• Noise-dampened housing constructed from reinforced polymer composite and cold-rolled steel—meets ISO 15707:2000 acoustic emission requirements for laboratory environments (<60 dB(A) at 1 m distance).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TDL-5 accommodates a range of standard tube formats without adapter modification: four 100 mL conical tubes, eight 50 mL centrifuge tubes, or sixteen 15 mL Falcon-style tubes per run. It supports both aqueous and organic-phase suspensions typical in plasma separation, cell harvesting, antibody purification, and environmental sediment analysis. All operational parameters adhere to ASTM D1193-22 (Standard Specification for Reagent Water) handling guidelines when processing biological fluids. While not certified for clinical diagnostics under CLIA or FDA 21 CFR Part 820, the device meets general-purpose laboratory equipment requirements per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Annex A.2 for equipment qualification and traceable calibration documentation upon request.

Software & Data Management

The TDL-5 operates as a standalone instrument with no proprietary software dependency. All user-defined protocols—including speed, time, and ramp profiles—are stored locally in non-volatile memory and recalled via numeric keypad input. Each cycle generates an internal timestamped log entry (date, start time, set parameters, final RCF, total runtime), accessible through diagnostic mode for internal QA review. For integration into LIMS or ELN ecosystems, optional RS-232 serial output (available via accessory port) enables passive data export in ASCII format compliant with ASTM E1384-21 (Standard Guide for Recording and Sharing Laboratory Data). Audit trail functionality satisfies basic GLP record-keeping requirements where electronic records are retained per 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B §11.10(a).

Applications

• Blood fractionation: isolation of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and buffy coat layers from whole blood specimens.
• Microbial pellet recovery: concentration of bacterial or yeast cultures prior to DNA extraction or protein expression analysis.
• Environmental sample processing: sedimentation of suspended solids from wastewater effluents or soil leachates for gravimetric or elemental analysis.
• Pharmaceutical QC: clarification of suspension formulations and removal of undissolved excipients prior to HPLC or UV-Vis quantification.
• Food safety testing: separation of fat globules from milk homogenates or pathogen enrichment steps in ISO 6579-1:2017-compliant Salmonella isolation workflows.

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended fill volume per tube when using the 100 mL rotor buckets?
For optimal balance and rotor longevity, do not exceed 90 mL per 100 mL tube. Overfilling increases hydrodynamic drag and may trigger automatic shutdown due to detected imbalance.
Can this centrifuge be used for density gradient separations?
No—the TDL-5 lacks programmable acceleration/deceleration ramps and gradient-specific rotor geometry; it is optimized for fixed-angle or swing-bucket pelleting, not isopycnic or rate-zonal separations.
Is rotor calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—each rotor undergoes factory calibration against NIST-traceable tachometer references. Calibration certificates are available upon request at time of purchase.
Does the unit support continuous operation beyond 30 minutes?
No—the timer is hard-limited to 30 minutes per cycle. For extended runs, manual restart is required after cooldown to prevent thermal stress on motor windings.
Are replacement rotors and adapters available internationally?
Yes—MKN maintains global distributor networks supplying ISO 9001-certified spare parts with documented material certifications (EN 10204 3.1) and RoHS compliance statements.