Thermo Scientific Heraeus Labofuge 300
Thermo Scientific · Model Heraeus Labofuge 300
THERMO SCIENTIFIC Heraeus Labofuge 300 Small Medical Benchtop Centrifuge A small centrifuge with swinging bucket rotor, the Labofuge® 300 is used by medical practices and labs with low sample throughput. In addition to processing “gel tubes, ” the unit also spins ordinary blood sample and glass tubes. In the field of virus testing, tubes with a gel barrier (“gel tubes”) are increasingly used. Immediately after a blood sample has been taken, these tubes must be spun. Once centrifugation is complete, the blood plasma is separated from red blood cells by a layer of gel. This gel layer prevents mixing and resultant decomposition of viruses. Unlike fixed angle rotors, which can lead to contamination within the gel tube, the Labofuge 300’s swinging bucket rotor ensures the gel barrier sticks to the tube wall with no traces of contamination in the plasma. The tubes can then be stored or transported to a laboratory for virus testing.
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
Compiled for this model from its own documentation and established engineering knowledge for this equipment class - not from a verified service record. Confirm against the manufacturer's service manual.
Will not start / error at start
HighSymptoms: Error code, run will not begin, or aborts shortly after start.
Root cause: Set speed exceeds the rotor maximum, an imbalanced load, the lid / door not locked, an unapproved rotor, or a drive / control fault.
Will not reach speed / excessive noise or vibration
MediumSymptoms: Slow spin-up, rumble, or vibration during a run.
Root cause: Load imbalance, worn drive / motor bearings, a worn drive coupling, or (older units) worn motor brushes.
Timer / speed inconsistency
MediumSymptoms: Run ends early / late, or RPM does not match the setting.
Root cause: Tacho / speed-sensor drift or a control-board fault.
Lid / door will not open or lock
MediumSymptoms: Lid-lock error, will not open after a run, or will not lock to start.
Root cause: Lid-lock solenoid / switch fault, or a run still winding down.
Rotor / bucket wear or corrosion
MediumSymptoms: Visible corrosion, cracks, or a bucket that will not swing; imbalance trips.
Root cause: Rotor / bucket ageing - a safety-critical wear item with a use-life limit.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
Serviceable items for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Service class and relative cost are estimates, not manufacturer figures; no part numbers are given. Confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Drive / motor bearings & coupling
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
Lid-lock solenoid / switch
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Speed sensor / control board
Class Major service partRel. cost $$R&R Moderate
Motor brushes (older units)
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $R&R Moderate
Rotor / bucket set & O-rings
Log rotor runs; retire per the manufacturer's rotor-life programme.
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Easy
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive / motor bearings & coupling | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
| Lid-lock solenoid / switch | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Speed sensor / control board | Major service part | $$ | Moderate |
| Motor brushes (older units) | Periodic replacement | $ | Moderate |
| Rotor / bucket set & O-rings Log rotor runs; retire per the manufacturer's rotor-life programme. | Major service part | $$$ | Easy |
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 starting sequence for this model, compiled from its documentation and engineering knowledge for this equipment class. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Will not start / error at start
- Confirm mains power and the mains switch; check the instrument fuse / circuit breaker (a repeat blow means an internal fault).
- Confirm the lid is fully closed and the interlock engages, and that speed / time (and an approved rotor) are set.
- Note any displayed error code and look it up in the manual's error table.
- Re-balance the load if an imbalance is indicated.
- For a Thermo/Heraeus 'displays dark' fault, check the mains cord, socket and the fuses on the main board; a reset symbol usually points to a bad ground connection or EMI.
Symptom: Lid / door will not open
- Confirm the rotor has fully stopped (view port) and mains power is present.
- Try a power off / on (mains reset).
- On a power failure, use the mechanical emergency door release - pull the plug, wait for the rotor to stop without braking (can take 40+ minutes on a large rotor), then pull the release cord / string behind the plastic plug on the housing.
- Inspect the lid-lock solenoid / motor and its micro-switch.
- Replace a jammed or faulty lid-lock assembly and functional-check.
Symptom: Excess vibration / will not reach speed / noise
- Stop and re-load the rotor symmetrically - opposing positions equally loaded, all carriers fitted even if empty.
- Inspect the rotor pockets and chamber for debris or a broken tube.
- Confirm the rotor is fully seated and not corroded or cracked; retire it per its use-life log.
- Turn the rotor by hand and feel the drive bearing; replace worn motor rubber mounts; on belt/brush units check belt tension and motor brushes (< 6 mm = replace).
- Verify speed with a tachometer after any drive work.
Technical Specs
- Height
- 315 mm
- Length
- 475 mm
- Weight
- 30 kg without rotor
- Width
- 380 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
Related calculators
From BioLab, for work done with this kind of equipment.
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