OHAUS Frontier™ 5718 High-Speed Benchtop Centrifuge

Overview

The OHAUS Frontier™ 5718 High-Speed Benchtop Centrifuge is an engineered solution for routine and demanding separation tasks in life science, clinical diagnostics, and quality control laboratories. Designed around the principles of centrifugal force generation via high-precision rotational dynamics, the FC5718 delivers reproducible sedimentation of cellular components—including bacteria, mammalian cells, subcellular organelles, and nucleic acid precipitates—through controlled application of relative centrifugal force (RCF). Its robust mechanical architecture supports continuous operation at up to 18,000 rpm, generating a maximum RCF of 18,624 × g—sufficient for pelleting most eukaryotic cells, lysates, and microorganisms without requiring ultracentrifugation-grade infrastructure. The instrument adheres to IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment and incorporates structural integrity testing per ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing protocols, ensuring compliance with GLP and GMP environmental requirements.

Key Features

• Brushless induction motor providing maintenance-free operation, extended service life, and stable torque delivery across speed ranges.
• Threadless rotor mounting system enabling rapid, tool-free rotor exchange with tactile feedback and automatic rotor recognition upon insertion.
• Backlit LCD display with intuitive keypad-and-knob interface supporting glove-compatible single-hand operation and real-time monitoring of speed, RCF, time, temperature (refrigerated model), and acceleration/deceleration profiles.
• Integrated self-diagnostic subsystem logging operational history, fault codes, and rotor usage metrics for traceable maintenance planning and audit readiness.
• Hermetically sealed fixed-angle rotors certified to IEC 61331-1 for containment of biohazardous aerosols during high-speed runs—critical for molecular biology and clinical sample processing.
• Optimized airflow management in non-refrigerated models ensures thermal stability of the chamber interior; refrigerated variants (FC5718R) feature compressor-based cooling with pre-cool functionality and ±0.5 °C temperature uniformity across the rotor cavity.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FC5718 accommodates standard laboratory centrifuge tubes ranging from 0.2 mL PCR tubes to 100 mL conical centrifuge bottles, with validated compatibility for polypropylene, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) materials. When operated with OHAUS-certified rotors, the system meets ASTM E2500-13 guidance for verification of laboratory equipment performance and supports method validation under USP Analytical Instrument Qualification. Rotors are individually calibrated and serialized; each protocol stored in memory includes rotor ID, maximum load configuration, and speed/RCF limits—enabling full traceability required for FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant environments when paired with OHAUS CentriSoft™ software.

Software & Data Management

The FC5718 stores up to 99 user-defined protocols locally, including rotor-specific parameters, acceleration/deceleration ramps, hold times, and temperature setpoints (for FC5718R). Optional CentriSoft™ PC software enables remote configuration, export of run logs in CSV or PDF formats, and integration into LIMS workflows via ASCII-based serial communication (RS-232) or USB virtual COM port. Audit trail functionality records timestamped operator actions, parameter changes, and error events—meeting ALCOA+ data integrity principles for regulated laboratories. All firmware updates are digitally signed and installed via encrypted USB drive to prevent unauthorized modification.

Applications

• Cell culture harvesting and bacterial pellet isolation prior to lysis or genomic DNA extraction.
• Clarification of cell lysates and protein supernatants in downstream purification workflows.
• Routine serum/plasma separation in clinical chemistry and point-of-care testing labs.
• Preparative centrifugation of nanoparticles, liposomes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) within defined RCF windows.
• Quality assurance testing of suspension formulations in pharmaceutical development (e.g., particle settling behavior assessment).
• Environmental microbiology applications including waterborne pathogen concentration from large-volume samples.

FAQ

Is the FC5718 compatible with swing-bucket rotors?
No—the FC5718 is configured exclusively for fixed-angle rotors optimized for high-speed pelleting efficiency and reduced run time. Swing-bucket configurations are not supported.
Does the non-refrigerated FC5718 model include active temperature control?
No—only the FC5718R variant features compressor-based refrigeration. The standard FC5718 maintains ambient chamber temperature through passive thermal design and optimized air circulation.
Can rotor calibration data be exported for internal QA documentation?
Yes—rotor identification, serial number, and certified maximum speed/RCF values are embedded in each saved protocol and can be exported via CentriSoft™ software or retrieved directly from the instrument’s service menu.
What safety certifications apply to the FC5718 series?
The instrument complies with IEC 61010-1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use), IEC 61331-1 (Radiation Protection for X-ray Equipment—applicable to rotor shielding), and EN 61000-6-3 (EMC Emission Standard).
How does the imbalance detection system function across different rotor types?
Each rotor is assigned a unique mechanical signature during factory calibration. The system continuously monitors vibration harmonics and current draw patterns in real time, triggering immediate deceleration if deviations exceed rotor-specific thresholds—regardless of tube fill volume or density distribution.