How can a refrigerated centrifuge concentrator be compatible with automated laboratory processes?

With the rapid development of laboratory automation,the integration of specialized equipment such as refrigerated centrifuge concentrators into automated workflows has become a key demand in fields like life sciences,pharmaceuticals,and environmental testing. A refrigerated centrifugal concentrator combines the functions of low-temperature control,centrifugation,and vacuum concentration,which can effectively protect heat-sensitive samples while improving concentration efficiency. To achieve seamless compatibility with automated laboratory processes,it is necessary to break through the bottlenecks of equipment connection,process matching,and intelligent control,and realize the integration of equipment,processes,and management. This article explores the core paths and implementation strategies for compatibility based on industry practices and technical characteristics.

1.Realize standardized communication interface docking to build an equipment connection bridge

The premise of compatibility between refrigerated centrifuge concentrators and automated processes is to achieve stable data transmission and instruction interaction with the automated system,which relies on standardized communication interfaces and protocols. At present,mainstream automated laboratory systems mostly adopt modular design,and the centrifuge concentrator needs to be equipped with universal communication interfaces to adapt to different system architectures.

On the one hand,equipment should be configured with industry-standard communication interfaces such as RS232,Ethernet,or USB,and support common industrial communication protocols such as Modbus. This enables the centrifuge concentrator to be connected to the central control system of the automated laboratory,realizing two-way data transmission—the central control system can issue operation instructions(such as setting centrifugal speed,temperature,vacuum degree,and running time),and the centrifuge concentrator can feed back real-time operation status(such as running progress,fault information,and sample processing results)to ensure the system's overall control of the equipment. For example,the intelligent control module of the combined purification process can realize real-time data interaction with the concentration module through the Modbus communication interface,ensuring the stability of"parameter issuance-execution feedback"during sample processing.

On the other hand,it is necessary to comply with the equipment integration standards of automated laboratories,such as the ANSI/SLAS standard,to ensure that the size,interface position,and operation mode of the centrifuge concentrator are compatible with automated transfer devices such as robotic arms. The equipment should reserve a dedicated docking interface for the robotic arm,and optimize the structural design to avoid interference between the robotic arm and the equipment during sample transfer,ensuring that the robotic arm can accurately complete sample loading and unloading,which lays a foundation for the continuity of the automated process.

2.Optimize intelligent control functions to adapt to unattended automated operations

Automated laboratory processes often require unattended operation for a long time,which puts forward high requirements for the intelligent level of the refrigerated centrifuge concentrator. The equipment needs to have independent decision-making and automatic adjustment capabilities to cope with changes in sample properties and process requirements,and reduce manual intervention.

Firstly,it is necessary to improve the automatic program setting and execution capabilities. The equipment should be equipped with a high-performance PLC control system and an industrial touch screen,supporting multi-stage program editing—users can set gradient parameters such as centrifugal speed,vacuum degree,and temperature according to different sample characteristics,and store multiple sets of program templates for direct calling by the automated system. For example,some models of refrigerated centrifuge concentrators can set 12-stage free programs,and each stage can independently set parameters such as speed,vacuum degree,temperature,and corresponding time,realizing the optimal matching of concentration processes for different samples. At the same time,the equipment should have the function of automatic end-point judgment,which can determine whether the concentration is completed through methods such as vacuum degree stability detection or visual recognition,and automatically stop running and send a signal to the central control system after completion,realizing the automation of a single processing link.

Secondly,it is necessary to strengthen the automatic fault diagnosis and emergency handling capabilities. The equipment should be equipped with multiple sensors(such as temperature sensors,pressure sensors,and vibration sensors)to monitor key operation parameters in real time. When an abnormality occurs(such as excessive temperature deviation,vacuum leakage,or uneven sample loading),it can automatically diagnose the fault type,send an alarm signal to the central control system,and execute the corresponding emergency plan(such as stopping operation,maintaining low temperature to protect samples,or releasing vacuum safely). This avoids the interruption of the automated process caused by equipment failure and reduces the risk of sample loss. For example,the vacuum protection function can prevent the formation of ice crystals in samples by pumping vacuum only after the rotational speed reaches the set value,ensuring the safety of sample processing.

3.Improve high-throughput processing capabilities to match the efficiency of automated workflows

High-throughput processing is an important feature of automated laboratories,and therefrigerated centrifugal concentratorneeds to improve its processing efficiency to adapt to the batch processing needs of the automated process,avoiding becoming a bottleneck in the workflow.

In terms of structural design,the equipment should adopt a multi-station design,supporting the simultaneous processing of multiple samples. It can be compatible with various specifications of centrifugal tubes and pore plates(such as 96-well plates,48-well plates,and 1.5-200mL centrifugal tubes),and realize multi-purpose with one machine by replacing modules. For example,some 96-well refrigerated centrifuge concentrators can process 24-96 samples at the same time,which is suitable for high-throughput concentration of biological samples such as blood and urine,and the concentration speed is 2-3 times faster than that of ordinary equipment,which can effectively improve the overall efficiency of the automated process. At the same time,the rotor of the equipment should have high recognizability,and be compatible with nearly 50 types of rotors,meeting the concentration needs of different types of samples.

In terms of process optimization,technologies such as vortex shear airflow or convection heat transfer can be adopted to accelerate the volatilization of organic solvents,shorten the concentration time while ensuring the recovery rate and parallelism of samples. For example,the vortex oblique blowing technology can avoid liquid splashing and cross-contamination caused by direct blowing,and the recovery rate of samples is significantly improved. In addition,the equipment can be equipped with an automatic sample feeding and discharging system,which is connected with the automated transfer line to realize the continuous flow of samples between different processing links,realizing batch processing of samples without manual intervention.

4.Strengthen sample protection and process traceability to meet the standardized requirements of automated laboratories

In automated laboratory processes,sample quality and process traceability are crucial,especially for fields such as pharmaceuticals and clinical testing that have strict requirements on experimental results. The refrigerated centrifuge concentrator needs to strengthen sample protection during the processing process and establish a complete process traceability system to meet the standardized management requirements of automated laboratories.

In terms of sample protection,the equipment should have a high-precision temperature control system,which can realize gradient precise temperature control,and the temperature adjustment range covers-4℃to 60℃,which can meet the processing needs of different types of samples. For heat-sensitive samples such as enzymes,RNA,and DNA,a constant temperature activity protection system can be set to reduce the inactivation rate of samples. At the same time,the centrifugal chamber and rotor can be coated with Teflon to enhance corrosion resistance,avoid sample contamination caused by equipment corrosion,and meet GMP and FDA standards. The closed structure design can also effectively prevent aerosol contamination,ensuring the safety and purity of samples.

In terms of process traceability,the equipment should be able to automatically record all operation data during the sample processing process,including operation parameters,running time,fault information,and sample processing results,and upload the data to the central database of the automated laboratory through the communication interface. The system can realize multi-dimensional query according to experimental batches,sample types,and date ranges,which is convenient for researchers to trace the original experimental data and ensure the traceability and repeatability of experimental results. For example,some equipment can record the processing information of each sample,and form a complete experimental report together with the data of other links,providing support for the standardized management of automated laboratories.

5.Promote modular integration to realize the seamless connection of the whole automated process

The compatibility of refrigerated centrifuge concentrators with automated laboratory processes is not only the connection of a single device,but also needs to be integrated into the whole automated workflow as a module,realizing the seamless connection with other processing links(such as sample pretreatment,separation and purification,and detection).

On the one hand,the equipment should adopt a modular design,and the concentration module,vacuum pump,and cold trap can be freely combined to adapt to different automated workflow configurations. For example,the cold trap can be configured with different temperature levels(-50℃,-80℃,or even below-110℃)according to the type of organic solvent,realizing the efficient capture of volatile organic solvents and ensuring the safety of the experimental environment. On the other hand,it is necessary to strengthen the linkage with other equipment in the automated laboratory. For example,after the sample is pretreated by the solid-phase extraction module,it can be automatically transferred to the refrigerated centrifuge concentrator for concentration through the robotic arm,and the concentrated sample can be automatically transferred to the detection module for subsequent analysis,forming a complete automated processing chain.

In addition,manufacturers can provide customized integration services according to the specific needs of the automated laboratory,optimize the equipment structure and control program,and ensure that the refrigerated centrifuge concentrator can perfectly match the user's workflow. For example,the customized automated centrifuge concentrator can be integrated into the super intelligent chemical synthesis platform,realizing the dynamic flow of the whole process from sample pretreatment to concentration and purification,and supporting 7×24-hour unattended operation.

Conclusion

The compatibility ofrefrigerated centrifugal concentratorwith automated laboratory processes is a systematic project,which needs to be realized through the joint improvement of communication interface standardization,intelligent control optimization,high-throughput capability enhancement,process traceability improvement,and modular integration. With the continuous upgrading of laboratory automation technology,the refrigerated centrifuge concentrator will develop in a more intelligent,integrated,and standardized direction,better adapt to the needs of automated workflows,and provide strong support for the efficiency improvement and quality assurance of experimental research and industrial production. Enterprises such as Ji'aimu and Boyikang have launched refrigerated centrifuge concentrators with excellent automation performance,which have been widely used in universities,research institutes,and pharmaceutical enterprises,and have become important equipment for promoting the automation of laboratory processes.