Ortoalresa Unicen 21 Benchtop Centrifuge

Overview

The Ortoalresa Unicen 21 is a CE-certified benchtop centrifuge engineered for routine separation tasks in life science, clinical diagnostics, and general research laboratories. Designed according to the principles of fixed-angle and horizontal rotor centrifugation—optimized for sedimentation-based separation of biological particles—the Unicen 21 delivers reproducible performance at moderate rotational speeds and relative centrifugal forces (RCF). Its operational envelope (up to 4200 rpm / 2938 × g) positions it within the low-speed centrifuge category, making it suitable for pelleting cells, precipitating macromolecules, clarifying crude lysates, and processing whole blood or serum samples. The unit features a robust stainless-steel centrifuge chamber, brushless induction motor architecture, and microprocessor-controlled acceleration/deceleration profiles—ensuring mechanical stability, thermal management, and long-term reliability without scheduled carbon brush replacement.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based control system with real-time digital display of RPM, RCF, and remaining time
• Programmable speed increments: adjustable in 50 rpm or 10 × g steps; timer range from 1 second to 99 minutes (±1 minute accuracy)
• Three-stage acceleration/deceleration modes: rapid, soft, and free (coast-down)
• Automatic lid opening post-run; programmable lid release delay
• Integrated imbalance detection system with immediate shutdown upon rotor asymmetry detection
• Dual-motorized electric lid lock with emergency manual release mechanism and drop-protection design
• Brushless induction motor—zero maintenance, silent operation (<60 dB[A] at 1 m), and extended service life
• Stainless-steel rotor chamber and autoclavable rotors & adapters (121 °C, 20 min, 1 bar steam sterilization compliant)
• Forced-air cooling system with thermal cut-off and energy-saving auto-shutdown option
• On-screen audible and visual status alerts—including door interlock status, rotor recognition, and over-speed protection

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Unicen 21 supports standard laboratory tube formats via its universal horizontal rotor configuration (4 × 100 mL capacity), accommodating conical polypropylene or glass tubes (e.g., 15 mL, 50 mL, and 100 mL formats) with optional adapters. It is validated for use with biological samples including whole blood, plasma, serum, cell suspensions, bacterial cultures, and clarified supernatants. All critical safety functions—including lid locking, imbalance sensing, and overspeed cutoff—are independently verified against IEC/EN 61010-2-101 (safety requirements for laboratory centrifuges) and EN 61010-2-020 (particular requirements for centrifuges used in medical laboratories). The device complies with EU directives covering electromagnetic compatibility (2014/30/EU), low voltage (2014/35/EU), restriction of hazardous substances (2011/65/EU), waste electrical equipment (2012/19/EU), and in vitro diagnostic devices (98/79/EC).

Software & Data Management

While the Unicen 21 operates as a standalone instrument without cloud connectivity or PC interface, its embedded firmware provides full audit-trail capability for GLP/GMP-aligned environments. All user-defined protocols—including speed, time, acceleration, and deceleration profiles—are stored in non-volatile memory and retain settings after power cycling. The system logs operational events (start/stop timestamps, lid open/close cycles, error codes, and rotor identification) with timestamped entries accessible via on-device display navigation. For laboratories requiring regulatory compliance under FDA 21 CFR Part 11, external validation documentation—including IQ/OQ protocols and traceable calibration certificates—is available upon request from authorized Ortoalresa distributors.

Applications

• Routine blood fractionation (serum/plasma separation from whole blood)
• Pelleting mammalian or microbial cells prior to lysis or storage
• Clarification of tissue homogenates and cell culture supernatants
• Sedimentation of protein precipitates (e.g., ammonium sulfate cuts)
• Preparative isolation of extracellular vesicles and subcellular organelles (e.g., nuclei, mitochondria) using differential centrifugation workflows
• Quality control testing in pharmaceutical manufacturing (e.g., particulate matter analysis per USP <788>)
• Environmental sample processing (e.g., waterborne pathogen concentration)

FAQ

Is the Unicen 21 compatible with refrigerated operation?
No—the Unicen 21 is a non-refrigerated benchtop centrifuge. It incorporates forced-air ventilation to mitigate heat accumulation during extended runs but does not provide active temperature control.

Can I use this centrifuge for viral pellet preparation?
While capable of generating up to 2938 × g, the Unicen 21 falls below the minimum RCF required for most ultracentrifugal viral pelleting protocols (typically ≥10,000 × g). It is appropriate for pre-clearing lysates or concentrating large enveloped viruses via low-speed pelleting, but not for high-resolution virion purification.

Does the instrument support rotor auto-recognition?
Yes—the control system identifies installed rotors via embedded RFID tags or mechanical coding, automatically limiting maximum speed to the certified rating of the detected rotor.

What is the warranty coverage for the Unicen 21?
Ortoalresa provides a standard 24-month parts-and-labor warranty from date of commissioning, extendable to 36 months with annual preventive maintenance contracts.

Are third-party rotors supported?
Only Ortoalresa-certified rotors and adapters are approved for use. Installation of non-OEM components voids safety certification and warranty coverage.