Which centrifuge models are recommended for blood bank applications?

Equipment & Lab Solutions September 12, 2025

Based on the Hettich – Products for Blood Banks documentation, the following Hettich centrifuge models are recommended for blood bank applications:

ROTO SILENTA 630 RS – The “heart” of blood banks

Capacity:
Very high capacity, supporting up to 12 × 750 mL blood bags or 6 × 1 L blood bags per run.

Performance:
Speed range: 50–6,000 rpm
Maximum RCF: 6,520 ×g

Key Features:

  • Available with 4-place or 6-place rotor configurations.
  • Powerful refrigeration system with temperature control from -20 °C to +40 °C.
  • Up to 89 programmable memory settings, 9 acceleration profiles, and 19 braking profiles.
  • Optimized sedimentation performance, especially for blood component separation applications such as PC and PRP processing.

Applications:
Blood transfusion centers, blood banks, hospitals, pharmaceutical laboratories, environmental testing labs, and cell culture laboratories.

The Roto Silenta 630 RS is a high-capacity floor-standing centrifuge specifically designed for blood banking and large-volume sample processing. The system can simultaneously process up to 12 liters of samples (equivalent to 12 blood bags) thanks to its powerful drive system and high-capacity rotor design. Particular emphasis has been placed on safety and hygiene: the centrifuge chamber is constructed from medical-grade stainless steel, while the rotor design eliminates the need for an internal wind shield, allowing easier cleaning, reduced maintenance, and improved aseptic conditions.

The system is AABB-certified for transfusion medicine applications, demonstrating compliance with the stringent operational and quality standards established by the American Association of Blood Banks. In addition, the centrifuge operates with exceptionally low noise levels comparable to normal conversation and features a low-profile lid design for ergonomic sample loading and unloading.

Backed by a 5-year warranty and supported by a wide range of dedicated accessories for blood bags, blood tubes, and 2-liter bottles, the Roto Silenta 630 RS serves as the “heart” of high-throughput blood processing laboratories requiring rapid, reliable, and safe operation.

ROTIXA 500 RS – Flexible high-capacity floor-standing centrifuge

Capacity:
4 blood bags ranging from 450–1,000 mL.

Performance:
Speed range: 50–11,500 rpm
Maximum RCF: 18,038 ×g

Key Features:

  • Compact, durable design with extended operational lifespan.
  • Maintains blood bags in an upright position during centrifugation, improving blood component separation quality.
  • Certified as a European medical device in accordance with Directive 93/42/EEC.
  • 89 programmable memory settings with 19 acceleration/deceleration profiles.

Applications:
Small-to-medium blood banks, hospitals, hematology laboratories, veterinary laboratories, environmental testing, dairy, and chemical industries.

The Rotixa 500 RS is a versatile floor-standing centrifuge designed for blood processing and high-volume sample workflows within a more compact footprint. The centrifuge accommodates up to four 1,000 mL blood bags or 192 blood collection tubes per run, making it suitable for laboratories with demanding throughput requirements.

Its stable temperature control system protects temperature-sensitive samples by maintaining uniform cooling conditions throughout centrifugation. Using a single multipurpose rotor, the Rotixa 500 RS can process a broad range of consumables, including blood collection tubes, cell culture tubes, blood bags (up to four 450–1,000 mL bags), microplates, and large-volume bottles.

The centrifuge operates quietly and safely, incorporating an automatic lid-locking mechanism and a robust metal chamber design. Similar to other Hettich systems, the Rotixa 500 RS is supplied with a 5-year warranty and complies with international safety standards. It is an ideal solution for hematology and transfusion laboratories seeking a high-performance, multifunctional centrifuge with a space-efficient design.

ROTANTA 460 RC / 460 RF – Space-Saving Multifunctional Benchtop Centrifuge

Capacity:
4 × 1,000 mL or 4 × 450 mL blood bags.

Performance:
Speed range: 50–15,000 rpm
Maximum RCF: 24,400 ×g

Key Features:

  • Can be installed under the bench or as a floor-standing configuration to free up laboratory workspace.
  • Integrated refrigeration system with temperature control from -20 °C to +40 °C.
  • Up to 98 programmable memory settings with 28 acceleration/deceleration profiles.

Applications:
Small blood banks, hospitals, hematology laboratories, veterinary laboratories, pharmaceutical laboratories, and forensic laboratories.

The Rotanta 460/460 R series is a high-performance benchtop centrifuge platform available with optional refrigeration capability (460 R version), supporting a wide range of centrifugation applications in modern laboratories. The system accommodates up to 4,000 mL of samples per run (4 × 1,000 mL), enabling simultaneous processing of large sample volumes while maintaining high speed and centrifugal force performance.

A major advantage of the Rotanta 460 platform is its exceptional flexibility. Depending on the selected rotor and accessories, the system can process nearly all common laboratory consumables, including up to 196 blood tubes per run, 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes, microplates, and up to four 450 mL blood bags.

The refrigerated Rotanta 460 R version offers a temperature range from -20 °C to +40 °C, making it suitable for temperature-sensitive samples such as enzymes and plasma. High-speed microplate rotors enable centrifugal forces up to approximately 6,446 ×g for rapid separation of microparticles and fine particulates.

User-oriented design features include smooth lid opening, front-facing control panel operation, automatic safety lid locking, and a fully metal housing construction. Combined with low-noise operation, a 5-year warranty, and comprehensive international safety certifications, the Rotanta 460/460 R provides a reliable all-in-one centrifugation solution for laboratories ranging from clinical biochemistry and molecular biology to industrial testing environments.

ROTOLAVIT II – Automated cell washing system

Function:
Automated cell washing for serological testing applications, including cross-matching, antibody screening and identification, and tuberculosis testing.

Capacity:
12 or 24 × 5 mL tubes.

Performance:
3,500 rpm
RCF: 1,438 ×g

Key Features:

  • Intuitive touchscreen interface.
  • 24 programmable memory settings with 7 preset programs.
  • IVD-certified in accordance with Directive 98/79/EC.

Applications:
Blood transfusion centers, hospitals, hematology laboratories, and clinical laboratories.

The Rotolavit II is a next-generation automated cell washing centrifuge system designed to provide an efficient and user-friendly solution for serological testing workflows in transfusion medicine. The system is specifically developed for red blood cell washing in cross-matching procedures, antiglobulin testing (direct and indirect Coombs tests), and antibody screening and identification in immunohematology laboratories.

Despite its compact footprint, the Rotolavit II integrates a modern touchscreen interface that allows users to program up to 24 customized workflows, each containing up to 20 sequential process steps. This enables complex cell washing procedures to be performed using a single-button operation, reducing operator variability while improving workflow reproducibility.

Users can easily customize parameters such as saline dispensing volume, agitation speed, decanting speed, and centrifugation speed, then save them as standardized protocols for future runs. The system supports both 12-tube and 24-tube rotors designed for 5 mL Coombs tubes and operates at 3,500 rpm (approximately 1,438 ×g), optimized for red blood cell washing applications.

Rotolavit II utilizes standard low-cost consumables, significantly reducing per-test operational costs. The system is also registered as an IVD device under Regulation (EU) 2017/746, ensuring suitability for in-vitro diagnostic testing applications in hospitals and blood transfusion centers.

With Rotolavit II, labor-intensive manual cell washing workflows can be transformed into rapid, standardized, and highly reproducible automated processes, making it an essential tool for high-throughput immunohematology laboratories.

HettInfo II – Documentation & traceability system

Compatible with the ROTO SILENTA 630 RS and ROTIXA 500 RS.

Functions:

  • Records all operational data, including speed, run time, temperature, blood bag ID, and operator information.
  • Exports CSV files via LAN or USB for transparent traceability and GMP/GLP compliance support.

Conclusion

For large-scale blood bank operations, Hettich recommends the ROTO SILENTA 630 RS due to its ability to process multiple high-volume blood bags simultaneously.

For medium-to-small blood banks or hospital laboratories, the ROTIXA 500 RS and ROTANTA 460 RC/RF are highly suitable choices, offering flexibility, performance, and space efficiency.

The ROTOLAVIT II serves as an important complementary solution for automated red blood cell washing in transfusion testing workflows.

Integrating HettInfo II further enhances quality control, traceability, transparency, and GMP-compliant operational management within blood banking environments.