Titan LDC-5A Desktop Low-Speed Centrifuge (Angle Rotor Standard, Swinging Bucket Rotor Optional)

Overview

The Titan LDC-5A is a robust, microprocessor-controlled benchtop low-speed centrifuge engineered for routine separation tasks in clinical, educational, and industrial laboratories. Designed around the principles of sedimentation equilibrium and differential centrifugation, it delivers precise, reproducible acceleration profiles at speeds up to 6000 rpm—optimized for pelleting cells, precipitating macromolecules, clarifying suspensions, and separating whole blood components. Its fixed-angle rotor configuration ensures rapid sedimentation with high recovery efficiency, while the rigid cast-aluminum housing and brushless DC motor provide long-term mechanical stability and minimal vibration under load. The unit operates within Class II biosafety-compatible workflows and meets fundamental safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment.

Key Features

• Microprocessor-based speed and time control with digital display and real-time RPM/RCF readout
• Brushless DC motor delivering consistent torque across the full speed range (0–6000 rpm), with <1% speed accuracy and <±10 rpm stability
• Automatic rotor identification via mechanical coding—prevents overspeeding when compatible rotors are installed
• Self-balancing system with automatic imbalance detection and shutdown (threshold: ±5 g mass difference per tube)
• Programmable acceleration/deceleration ramps (0–9 levels) to minimize sample disturbance during spin-up and braking
• Stainless steel chamber interior and corrosion-resistant rotor cavity for easy decontamination and extended service life
• Quiet operation (<58 dB[A] at 6000 rpm) enabled by optimized airflow design and vibration-damping feet

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LDC-5A accommodates common laboratory tubes including 15 mL and 50 mL conical centrifuge tubes, glass or plastic serum tubes (13 × 100 mm), and custom-sized containers up to 120 mL per position. With a maximum capacity of 480 mL (configured as 4 × 120 mL or 12 × 15 mL), it supports both high-throughput batch processing and small-scale preparative runs. The centrifuge complies with ISO 13485–aligned manufacturing protocols and conforms to CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. While not certified for GLP/GMP environments out-of-the-box, its audit-ready operational logs (via optional RS232/USB interface) support integration into regulated workflows requiring traceability per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated software.

Software & Data Management

The LDC-5A includes embedded firmware supporting up to 10 user-defined protocols, each storing speed, time, acceleration rate, and brake profile. Optional PC connectivity (RS232 or USB) enables remote parameter setting, real-time monitoring, and export of run logs in CSV format. Titan’s CentriLog™ desktop application (v3.2+, Windows/macOS) provides protocol synchronization, electronic signature support, and basic audit trail functionality—including operator ID, timestamp, and parameter change history—facilitating compliance with internal SOPs and external quality audits. No cloud storage or third-party data hosting is performed; all data remains on local devices unless explicitly exported by the user.

Applications

• Clinical hematology: Separation of whole blood into plasma, buffy coat, and erythrocyte layers (e.g., for CBC prep or serum harvesting)
• Cell culture labs: Harvesting adherent or suspension cells prior to lysis or passaging
• Food & beverage QA: Clarification of juice, dairy emulsions, or fermentation broths
• Environmental testing: Sedimentation of suspended solids from water samples per ASTM D3612
• Academic teaching: Demonstrating sedimentation kinetics, density gradient fundamentals, and rotor dynamics principles
• Pharmaceutical QC: Pre-filtration centrifugation of excipient suspensions or API slurries prior to HPLC analysis

FAQ

What rotor types are supported?
The LDC-5A ships with a fixed-angle aluminum rotor (6 × 50 mL or 12 × 15 mL). Swinging-bucket rotors (max 4 × 100 mL) are available as factory-validated accessories—each with unique mechanical keying to prevent mismatched installation.
Is refrigeration available?
No. The LDC-5A is a non-refrigerated model. For temperature-sensitive applications, users should pre-chill samples and limit run duration to minimize thermal drift.
Can this centrifuge be used for virus or pathogen pelleting?
Not recommended. With a maximum RCF of 5150 × g, the LDC-5A lacks the force required for viral particle pelleting (typically >100,000 × g). It is suitable for bacteria, yeast, mammalian cells, and subcellular organelles such as nuclei and mitochondria.
Does it meet international electrical safety standards?
Yes. The unit carries CE marking and complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment, including protection against electric shock, mechanical hazards, and abnormal heat generation.
What maintenance is required?
Routine cleaning of the rotor chamber and inspection of rotor threads every 100 hours of operation; annual calibration of speed and timer accuracy using NIST-traceable tachometry tools is advised for regulated environments.