What steps do you take when your Laboratory Equipment Supplier (buy now) requires maintenance or repair? The malfunction of your centrifuge is not only inconvenient, but it also has the potential to cost you both time and money. In the blog post for this month, I will discuss the steps you need to take in order to get back on your feet and functioning as soon as possible. Are you able to fix it by yourself? If your centrifuge breaks down, the first thing you should ask yourself is whether or not you can fix the problem yourself. There are times when the solution to the problem is something very straightforward. It's possible, for instance, that the plug's fuse has just completely blown out. There is also the possibility that the power cable to the centrifuge is not connected correctly. Always make sure these basic things are in order before moving on to anything else. If your centrifuge is consistently throwing off its balance, this is yet another problem that you can easily fix on your own. In the event that this occurs, you may simply need to ensure that your buckets are properly balanced. You can find additional information on this topic in an older blog post that I wrote back in February of 2022 and it can be found here.

There are many other straightforward issues that you are capable of resolving on your own, without the assistance of a qualified technical specialist. In situations like these, the operator's manual for the device will be able to be of assistance to you. A user's manual for the centrifuge ought to have been included in the package that you received when you bought it. The majority of manufacturers will include in the operator's manual instructions on how to resolve some of the more common issues that may arise. In most cases, it also provides a list of error codes, along with an explanation of what each code means and instructions for how to fix the problem. This information is typically located in or very close to the very back of the manual. In the first instance, you should make sure that you consult the operator's manual to determine whether or not the problem can be easily fixed. If you are still unable to resolve the issue, then continue reading:Consider whether you would prefer an on-site or off-site repair for your laboratory centrifuge.

It is time to bring in the professionals if the issue at hand is not a straightforward one. There are many different service providers available today for centrifuges. Just one example is provided by my own company, Henderson Biomedical. When you contact the company that services your centrifuge, be sure to give a thorough explanation of the problem you are experiencing. It's possible that the service provider can help you fix the problem over the phone. If that is not the case, the problem with your equipment will require the attention of an engineer in order to be fixed. After that, you have two different options. You have the option of requesting that a Field Service Engineer come to your location to repair the centrifuge. You also have the option of disassembling the centrifuge and shipping it off to be fixed elsewhere. The second option is typically more cost effective than the first. On the other hand, this will result in the centrifuge needing to be repaired, which will cause you to experience some downtime. In the event that your centrifuge requires repairs, certain service providers may be able to provide you with a loan unit in the interim; therefore, it is imperative that you inquire about this possibility.

If you choose to have an engineer come to the location where the problem is occurring in order to fix it, you will need to make sure that you provide the service provider with specific information regarding the location of the centrifuge. Some research facilities are situated on very large campuses, each of which contains numerous floors and rooms. If the Field Service Engineer is not provided with the appropriate directions, it may be difficult for them to locate the centrifuge that is malfunctioning. Whether you choose to have the Laboratory Equipment Supplier repaired on-site or off-site, you need to make sure that the instrument is properly decontaminated before either repair. In a previous post, I went over the steps that need to be taken to decontaminate the equipment in your laboratory. When performing repairs on a laboratory centrifuge, safety is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the repair of any laboratory centrifuge, health and safety are always the top priorities. Before beginning any kind of work on the centrifuge, as was just mentioned, you need to make absolutely certain that it has been thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated. In addition to this, you need to make sure that the broken centrifuge is not used for anything at all.

The use of a defective centrifuge poses a risk to the person operating it. It is recommended that you remove the broken centrifuge from the laboratory and place it in a location that is inaccessible to any users so that it does not get used inadvertently. In the event that you are required to do so, ensure that the device is clearly marked with the words "DO NOT USE," that the lid is securely taped shut, and that the power cable has been removed before leaving it in the laboratory. Naturally, if you are going to perform any corrective actions on your own, you need to make sure that the centrifuge is turned off at the mains before you begin. When your Laboratory Equipment Supplier requires repairs, there are a few additional steps to take. Take prompt action. The time it takes to obtain the replacement component from the original manufacturer could be quite lengthy. Therefore, it is imperative that you get in touch with the company that services your centrifuge as soon as humanly possible. This is especially relevant at this time.

As a result of the shockwaves caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, there is a shortage of raw materials and microchips all over the world

- Last but not least, after the repair has been completed, you need to make sure that you keep all of the necessary paperwork for your own future reference

- For the purpose of future reference, job sheets, calibration certificates, and logbooks should all be stored in a secure location