Sorvall RC-4
Sorvall · Model RC-4
• Shorter processing times for more samples - The RC-4 is designed to spin larger numbers of tubes at higher RCFs. Its powerful induction drive and swinging bucket rotor - which accommodates DoubleSpin buckets - combine to provide higher ‘g’s and capacities for the most popular sample formats. • Spin more tubes at higher RCFs - The RC-4 offers exceptional capacity for all popular sample formats, including 15 and 50 ml tissue culture tubes, and many others. Spin even DNA and RNA filters plates under biocontainment at 5,890 x g! • High capacity processing for all labs - With its wide range of rotors, the RC-4 is equally at home in biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, pharmaceutical and blood processing labs. • Safe operation - The RC-4™ meets stringent international safety standards. It offers the widest selection of independently tested biocontainment rotors that comply with rigorous international guidelines for aerosol containment of bacteria and viruses. • Optimum run stability - The SMARTspin™ Imbalance Detection System will automatically brake the centrifuge if an excessive imbalance is detected, for example, due to tube leakage. Reliable imbalance detection means that even large swinging-bucket rotors can operate safely with a 30 gram imbalance. • Easy to use - Unlike other models, the EASYcontrol™ II Soft-Touch Keypad is located at the front of the instrument, eliminating awkward reaching. • Enhanced user safety - choose from 5 biocontainment rotors accommodating samples from 1.5 - 1,000 ml • Large 4 liter/8 blood bag capacity • Fastest processing and highest throughput of any 4 liter low speed centrifuge • Unmatched ‘g’s with fixed-angle rotors for bacterial, tissue culture and general pelleting needs • Accepts 32 standard microplates or 8 deepwell plates • HIGHplate® rotor spins DNA/RNA filter plates to 85 mm in height • Optimum run stability with SMARTspin™ Imbalance Detection System • Easy-to-clean soft-touch keypad • Reduced maintenance with brushless induction drive
Key tips
- ·Run QC controls before trusting any repair - an analyzer that passes self-test can still report clinically wrong results.
- ·Rule out a reagent lot change before opening the instrument - it can look exactly like a hardware fault.
- ·Centrifuge rotors have a hard retirement age/cycle limit regardless of visible condition - don't eyeball it.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Sample probe / pipette clog
MediumSymptoms: Aspiration error, short sample, carryover.
Root cause: Clot/crystal obstruction.
Centrifuge imbalance / bearing
HighSymptoms: Vibration, loud noise, stop error.
Root cause: Worn bearing or unbalanced rotor.
Reagent / wash flow fault
MediumSymptoms: Clogs, high blank, QC fail.
Root cause: Pump tube wear, air in line.
Temperature control fault
MediumSymptoms: Incubator out of range.
Root cause: Failed heater/fan or sensor.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Peristaltic pump tubing
Consumable, replace proactively.
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $R&R Easy
Xenon / LED light source
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Moderate
Centrifuge rotor & bearings
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Incubator heater / fan
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peristaltic pump tubing Consumable, replace proactively. | Frequent wear item | $ | Easy |
| Xenon / LED light source | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Moderate |
| Centrifuge rotor & bearings | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Incubator heater / fan | Periodic replacement | $$ | Moderate |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily QC controls run and reviewed
- ·Calibration verification per assay
- ·Routine cleaning and decontamination
- ·Scheduled reagent-path and pump-tubing maintenance
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Sample probe / pipette clog
- Confirm the presentation - typically aspiration error, short sample, carryover - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: clot/crystal obstruction.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the sample aspiration probe per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Reagent / wash flow fault
- Confirm the presentation - typically clogs, high blank, QC fail - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: pump tube wear, air in line.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the peristaltic pump tubing per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 960 mm
- Length
- 720 mm
- Weight
- 286 kg
- Width
- 680 mm
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Central / core laboratory
- Point-of-care testing stations
- Blood bank
- Microbiology lab
Documents & Manuals
Troubleshoot this device with Bio
Describe a symptom or error code. Bio answers from this device's own documented error codes, failure modes, parts, and guides.
Ask Bio →