Thermo Scientific Sorvall WX80+ Ultra Series Centrifuge
Key specifications
| Parameter | Sorvall WX 80+ |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 80,000 rpm |
| Maximum RCF | 546,883 × g with T-890 rotor |
| Maximum capacity | 6 × 250 mL |
| Temperature range | 0–40 °C |
| Temperature accuracy | ±0.5 °C |
| Speed setting | 1,000 rpm to maximum, 100-rpm increments |
| Speed accuracy | ±2 rpm |
| Timer | 1 min–999 h 59 min + HOLD |
| Cooling | Thermoelectric / thermo-module refrigeration |
| Vacuum | Oil rotary + oil diffusion pump |
| Programs | Up to 1,000 with step-runs |
| Noise | ~51 dBA |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 880 × 790 × 690 mm |
| Weight | ~390 kg |
| Power | 208–240 V, 50/60 Hz, single phase, 16/20 A |
These specifications are documented by Thermo Fisher for the WX+ series.
What is it used for?
The WX80+ is intended for ultracentrifugation, where very small particles or macromolecules need to be separated at extremely high centrifugal forces. Typical applications include:
- DNA/RNA separation and purification
- Protein and macromolecule purification
- Virus and viral-particle research
- Nanoparticle separation
- Membrane and extracellular-vesicle research
- Cellular organelle fractionation
- Biochemistry and molecular biology
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology research
Thermo Fisher specifically identifies applications in life science, chemistry and pharmaceutical research, including nanoparticles, viruses, DNA/RNA bands and protein purification.
Rotor system
The rotor is critical to the actual performance of a WX80+. Thermo Fisher lists the T-890 rotor for the approximately 546,883 × g maximum RCF specification, while the newer documentation also lists T-880 at approximately 602,600 × g. Therefore, the exact maximum RCF should always be verified against the rotor actually supplied with the instrument.
The system can also use compatible ultracentrifuge rotors from the Sorvall/Fiberlite ecosystem. Fiberlite carbon-fiber rotors are particularly useful because of their fatigue resistance and relatively low weight.
Important features
1. Very high centrifugal force
80,000 rpm allows separation of particles that cannot be effectively separated using conventional high-speed centrifuges.
2. Refrigerated operation
The chamber can be controlled from 0 to 40 °C, useful for temperature-sensitive biological samples.
3. Programmable operation
The instrument supports up to 1,000 programs, including step-runs, with multiple acceleration/deceleration profiles.
4. Vacuum system
The vacuum system reduces aerodynamic resistance around the rotor, allowing efficient operation at ultrahigh rotational speeds. The specified ultimate vacuum is below approximately 1.3 Pa (0.01 Torr).
5. Safety and monitoring
The WX+ incorporates imbalance tolerance, rotor-related controls and monitoring functions appropriate for ultracentrifugation. Rotor management is particularly important because ultracentrifuge rotors operate under very high mechanical stress.
WX80+ vs WX90+ vs WX100+
| Model | Max speed | Max RCF* |
|---|---|---|
| WX80+ | 80,000 rpm | ~546,883 × g |
| WX90+ | 90,000 rpm | ~692,149 × g |
| WX100+ | 100,000 rpm | ~802,000 × g |
*RCF depends on the rotor.
Overall assessment
The Sorvall WX80+ is a research-grade ultracentrifuge, rather than a conventional laboratory centrifuge. Its major strengths are its 80,000-rpm maximum speed, very high RCF, refrigerated operation, programmable runs, and compatibility with specialized ultracentrifuge rotors.
For evaluating a used WX80+, the most important things to verify are the included rotor(s), rotor serial number and service history, rotor inspection/remaining life, vacuum pump condition, refrigeration performance, drive system, chamber condition, and availability of compatible tubes/adapters. The rotor can be one of the most significant components from both a safety and replacement-cost perspective.
There are no reviews yet.