OHAUS Frontier FC5718R High-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The OHAUS Frontier FC5718R is a high-performance benchtop refrigerated centrifuge engineered for precision separation of subcellular components—including large organelles, ribosomes, and viral particles—in research, clinical, and quality control laboratories. Utilizing fixed-angle rotor geometry and controlled refrigeration, the FC5718R operates on fundamental principles of sedimentation velocity centrifugation: under high gravitational fields (up to 23,542 × g), particles separate based on size, shape, and density differences in solution. Its thermally stabilized chamber maintains precise temperature control from –20 °C to +40 °C—critical for preserving labile biomolecules during prolonged high-speed runs. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the instrument integrates ISO 9001-certified production processes and conforms to IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory electrical equipment.

Key Features

• Brushless induction motor delivering maintenance-free operation, consistent torque delivery, and extended service life without carbon brush replacement.
• Thread-free quick-clamp rotor mounting system enabling secure, tool-free installation and automatic mechanical alignment—reducing setup time and operator error.
• Intelligent rotor recognition: built-in RFID or encoder-based identification automatically loads rotor-specific safety limits and performance parameters into the control firmware.
• Advanced thermal management architecture featuring dual-stage compressor cooling, pre-cool function (down to –20 °C in ≤15 min), and optimized internal air circulation for uniform cavity temperature distribution—even at maximum speed.
• Full-featured backlit LCD interface with tactile keypad and rotary encoder—designed for glove-compatible, one-handed operation in biosafety cabinets or cold rooms.
• Comprehensive onboard diagnostics logging all operational events—including rotor usage history, error codes, door cycles, and temperature excursions—for GLP/GMP-compliant recordkeeping.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FC5718R supports up to 19 interchangeable rotors—including fixed-angle, swing-bucket, and specialized biocontainment variants—with capacities ranging from microtubes (0.2–2.0 mL) to 100 mL conical tubes. When configured with hermetically sealed rotors (e.g., FA-45-6-30 or similar), it meets EN 61010-2-020 requirements for containment of infectious agents and volatile solvents. All rotors are CE-marked and validated per ISO 21501-4 for particulate contamination control. The system complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with OHAUS CentriLink™ software (optional), supporting electronic signatures, audit trails, and data integrity protocols required for regulated environments.

Software & Data Management

The FC5718R stores up to 99 user-defined protocols—including speed, time, temperature, acceleration/deceleration ramps, and rotor ID—with non-volatile memory retention across power cycles. Optional CentriLink™ PC software enables remote monitoring, method synchronization across multiple instruments, export of CSV-formatted run logs, and integration with LIMS platforms via standard TCP/IP or RS-232 interfaces. All stored methods include timestamped metadata (date/time, operator ID if enabled, rotor serial number), satisfying traceability requirements under ISO/IEC 17025 and CLIA guidelines.

Applications

• Isolation of mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes from mammalian tissue homogenates.
• Concentration and purification of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses for vaccine development or structural studies.
• Preparative pelleting of bacterial inclusion bodies prior to refolding assays.
• Routine nucleic acid precipitation and protein pellet recovery in molecular biology workflows.
• Stability testing of biopharmaceutical formulations under accelerated centrifugal stress (ICH Q5C).
• Separation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in nanomedicine R&D.

FAQ

Does the FC5718R support swing-bucket rotors?

Yes—select swing-bucket configurations are compatible, though maximum speed is reduced relative to fixed-angle use. Refer to the rotor compatibility matrix in the technical manual for certified combinations.
Can the centrifuge maintain –20 °C at 18,000 rpm?

Yes—the dual-stage refrigeration system is rated for full-speed operation across the entire temperature range, including sustained –20 °C runs.
Is rotor balancing required manually?

No—the integrated imbalance detection system continuously monitors mass distribution during acceleration and deceleration, halting operation if tolerance thresholds are exceeded.
What documentation is provided for regulatory validation?

OHAUS supplies Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports, IQ/OQ templates, and calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards—all included with the instrument or available upon request.
How often does the system require preventive maintenance?

With the brushless motor and sealed bearing design, scheduled maintenance is limited to annual verification of refrigerant pressure, door seal integrity, and sensor calibration—no routine lubrication or part replacement is specified.