Portable Centrifuge

A centrifuge is a laboratory instrument used for separation of
the materials through filtration and sedimentation. Especially
where there is a requirement for chemical or material analyses.
The basic operation principle of the centrifuge is the
sedimentation principle in which the rotator accelerates the
centrifugal force to separate the heavy particles in the samples.
This allows for separation of different reagents at different
speeds to gives the result instantly.

This system includes the embedded system, DC motor, power
supply and speed regulator. The microcontroller program
allows the user to customize the speed of the motor as per the
requirement. The instrument also has a sample holder and
separates the heavy material in the samples through the
centrifugal force. The bottom case and top case give the
mechanical strength and support to the body. The top cover
(Lid) gives the safety to the user from the chemical hazard [7].
And prevents any kind of spill over that may happen during
high speed rotations incase of vial not being properly locked or
closed.
Most of the commercially available centrifuges for laboratory
usage are range between 300 $ to 10,000 $ dollars [8]. The
costs are mainly for software and electronic hardware which
provides flexibility for the user. In order to bring down the cost
with similar functionality and flexibility, additive
manufacturing and low cost embedded system are used in this
prototype development.

The centrifuge parts are designed in SolidWorks CAD tool.
SolidWorks is a cloud based CAD design software which gives
the simplicity, easy to design the model and gives the flexibility
to simulate the mechanical parameters. The CAD file is
exported in STL (stereo lithography file) format which allow
converting designed model surface into cross section layers [9].
The 3D printing machine reads G-code coding. The designed
STL file formats are converted to machine readable G-code.
This allows the printer to print layer by layer.