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Thermo Scientific Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD Centrifuge with TX-1000 Swing-Bucket Rotor
In a busy clinical, biotechnology, or cell culture laboratory, centrifuge throughput is determined by more than maximum speed. The number of tubes that can be processed during each run—and how easily the centrifuge can move between different sample formats—can have a much greater impact on daily productivity.
The Thermo Scientific Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD Centrifuge with TX-1000 swing-bucket rotor is built around that idea. This particular system combines Thermo Scientific's non-refrigerated ST4 Plus-MD benchtop centrifuge with the high-capacity TX-1000 rotor, providing up to 4 × 1,000 mL of capacity and compatibility with a wide range of blood collection tubes, conical tubes, bottles, and microplates using the appropriate buckets and adapters.
With the TX-1000 installed, the centrifuge operates at up to 3,800 RPM and 3,374 × g. Rather than emphasizing extreme centrifugal force, this configuration prioritizes sample capacity, versatility, and high-throughput routine processing. The ST4 Plus-MD platform can also accept additional compatible rotors for laboratories requiring different sample formats or higher centrifugal forces.
The MD designation identifies the medical-device version of the platform, making this model particularly relevant to clinical and diagnostic laboratories as well as research facilities looking for a high-capacity general-purpose centrifuge.
At American Instrument Exchange, each refurbished centrifuge is professionally inspected, cleaned, and tested before shipment. Our technicians evaluate the rotating assembly, bearings, spindle components, braking, controls, lid and safety systems, and overall mechanical performance. Because this particular centrifuge includes the TX-1000 rotor, the centrifuge and rotor are tested together as a complete system prior to shipment.
Features of the Thermo Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD
Includes Thermo Scientific TX-1000 swing-bucket rotor
Maximum TX-1000 capacity: 4 × 1,000 mL / 4 liters
TX-1000 maximum speed: 3,800 RPM
TX-1000 maximum RCF: 3,374 × g
High-capacity processing of blood tubes, conical tubes, bottles, and plates with appropriate accessories
Medical-device configuration designed with clinical laboratory workflows in mind
Non-refrigerated benchtop design
Up to 13 rotor options supported by the ST4 Plus-MD platform
Maximum platform speed up to 15,200 RPM, rotor dependent
Maximum platform RCF up to 25,830 × g, rotor dependent
Auto-Lock III rotor system for tool-free rotor installation and removal
SMARTSpin rotor management technology
Up to 6 saved programs
9 acceleration and 10 deceleration profiles
Adjustable speed, time, and operating parameters
Run times up to 9 hours, 59 minutes
Intuitive LCD control interface
High capacity-to-footprint ratio
120V electrical configuration
90-day warranty included from American Instrument Exchange
Refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange
The TX-1000 is what makes this particular system especially attractive. It provides 4-liter capacity in a benchtop centrifuge, giving laboratories the ability to consolidate large batches into fewer centrifuge runs.
Built for High-Throughput Routine Centrifugation
The Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD is not designed around chasing the highest possible RPM. Its strength is moving a large number of samples efficiently through routine laboratory protocols.
With appropriate TX-1000 adapters, the rotor family can accommodate configurations of up to:
196 × 5/7 mL blood collection tubes
148 × 9/10 mL blood collection tubes
96 × 15 mL conical tubes
40 × 50 mL conical tubes
6 microplates
4 × 1,000 mL bottles
That kind of capacity can have a direct effect on laboratory workflow.
A laboratory processing 80 or 90 conical tubes, for example, may be able to complete the batch in one run rather than dividing it among several cycles on a smaller centrifuge. Fewer runs can mean less technician handling, less waiting between batches, and reduced operating time on the centrifuge.
For laboratories where hundreds of samples may move through centrifugation each day, throughput can be considerably more valuable than maximum speed.
Common Applications for the Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD
The combination of the medical-device ST4 Plus-MD platform and TX-1000 rotor makes this configuration particularly well suited for routine clinical and life science workflows.
Common applications include:
Blood collection tube processing
Clinical sample preparation
Plasma and serum separation
Clinical research
15 mL and 50 mL conical tube centrifugation
Mammalian cell culture processing
Cell harvesting
Biotechnology research
Pharmaceutical research
Microbiology
Sample clarification
Large-volume bottle processing
Microplate processing
Translational research
General-purpose laboratory centrifugation
Because the TX-1000 accepts numerous adapters and accessories, the same centrifuge can potentially serve several departments or research groups with different sample-processing requirements.
Thermo Scientific TX-1000 Swing-Bucket Rotor
This particular Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD includes the Thermo Scientific TX-1000 swing-bucket rotor.
The TX-1000 provides:
4 × 1,000 mL maximum capacity
4-liter total capacity
3,800 RPM maximum speed
3,374 × g maximum RCF
90-degree swing-out geometry
Broad tube, bottle, and plate compatibility
Optional aerosol-tight containment configurations
Autoclavable rotor construction up to 121°C, subject to manufacturer accessory limitations
Swing-bucket geometry allows tubes to move into a horizontal position during centrifugation. This can be particularly useful for blood separation, density-gradient work, cell culture processing, and other applications where horizontal separation and clearly defined interfaces are desirable.
The TX-1000 also provides substantial adapter flexibility, allowing laboratories to configure the rotor around different tube and bottle sizes rather than purchasing a separate centrifuge for every sample format.
Customers should confirm the exact buckets, lids, adapters, and accessories included with the individual centrifuge before purchase, as configurations can vary.
Blood Tube and Clinical Laboratory Capacity
Clinical laboratories are among the environments where the TX-1000 configuration can provide the greatest workflow advantage.
Depending on the adapters installed, the TX-1000 can accommodate very large batches of common blood collection tubes, including configurations of up to 196 × 5/7 mL tubes or 148 × 9/10 mL tubes.
This makes the Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD particularly relevant for laboratories processing serum, plasma, or other blood-derived samples in volume.
Thermo Scientific also offers ClickSeal biocontainment lids for compatible TX-1000 configurations. These lids can provide additional sample containment where required by laboratory protocols.
Because adapter and containment requirements vary by application, laboratories should verify the exact accessories needed for their tube dimensions and procedures before purchase.
Cell Culture and Conical Tube Processing
The TX-1000 is equally useful outside the clinical laboratory.
With the appropriate adapters, the rotor can process up to 96 × 15 mL or 40 × 50 mL conical tubes during a single run. This makes the ST4 Plus-MD a strong option for cell culture laboratories, biotechnology companies, and research facilities processing large numbers of conical tubes.
The 4-liter rotor capacity can also support larger bottle-based workflows when compatible vessels and accessories are used.
For laboratories that do not need refrigerated centrifugation, this can provide much of the capacity associated with substantially larger centrifuges while retaining a benchtop footprint and conventional 120V electrical requirements.
Auto-Lock III and Rotor Flexibility
The ST4 Plus platform uses Thermo Scientific's Auto-Lock III rotor system, allowing compatible rotors to be installed and removed without tools.
This is particularly useful in shared laboratories where the centrifuge may need to transition between a high-capacity swing-bucket rotor and a smaller fixed-angle or specialty rotor.
Removing the rotor also provides easier access to the centrifuge chamber for cleaning and inspection.
Thermo Scientific's SMARTSpin technology automatically manages operating parameters based on the installed rotor and helps optimize acceleration, braking, and imbalance handling for different rotor and bucket combinations.
Although this centrifuge includes the TX-1000, the broader ST4 Plus-MD platform supports multiple compatible rotor configurations. With an appropriate fixed-angle rotor, the centrifuge can reach substantially greater speeds and centrifugal forces than the TX-1000.
Available rotor inventory changes regularly. Customers interested in expanding the capabilities of their Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD should contact American Instrument Exchange regarding current rotor availability and compatibility.
Specifications compiled from Thermo Scientific manufacturer literature, technical documentation, and American Instrument Exchange product information.
Power Requirements and Installation Considerations
The 120V Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD operates from 120V, 50/60 Hz electrical service, avoiding the higher-voltage connections required by many larger floor-model centrifuges.
The centrifuge measures approximately 22.3 inches wide × 27.2 inches deep × 14.2 inches high, providing substantial sample capacity without requiring a floor-model installation.
However, this is still a heavy laboratory instrument. At approximately 196 pounds without the rotor, it requires a sturdy, level bench or dedicated centrifuge stand capable of supporting both its static weight and the dynamic loads produced during operation.
Laboratories should also allow approximately 33.9 inches of vertical clearance with the lid fully open when positioning the centrifuge beneath shelves or cabinetry.
Because the ST4 Plus-MD is non-refrigerated, it does not incorporate the compressor and refrigeration hardware found in the ST4R Plus-MD. This reduces weight and mechanical complexity for laboratories whose protocols do not require temperature-controlled centrifugation.
Refurbished Thermo Scientific Centrifuges from American Instrument Exchange
A high-capacity centrifuge should be evaluated as a complete mechanical system before returning to laboratory service.
American Instrument Exchange technicians test centrifuges to verify that the rotating assembly is properly balanced and that bearings, seals, spindle components, braking systems, controls, lid mechanisms, and safety functions operate correctly. Operating tolerances are checked, and the interior and exterior are thoroughly cleaned before shipment.
When a centrifuge is supplied with a rotor, the rotor and centrifuge are tested together. This is particularly important with a high-capacity rotor such as the TX-1000, where the complete rotating assembly should operate smoothly throughout acceleration, operating speed, and braking.
American Instrument Exchange also offers professionally refurbished laboratory centrifuges ranging from compact microcentrifuges through refrigerated benchtop and high-speed floor-model systems.
Laboratories outfitting additional areas can source laboratory incubators, laboratory freezers and ultra-low freezers, and biosafety cabinets from American Instrument Exchange as well.
Thermo Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD Service and Support
American Instrument Exchange and AIE Laboratory Services provide diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and repair support for centrifuges and other general laboratory equipment.
For a high-capacity centrifuge, evaluation may include the drive assembly, bearings, spindle components, braking system, lid and safety mechanisms, rotor recognition, imbalance detection, and electronic controls.
If an existing Thermo Scientific centrifuge develops a problem, our technicians can help determine whether repair or replacement with another refurbished centrifuge is the more practical solution.
What does “MD” mean on the Thermo Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD?
The MD designation identifies the medical-device version of the ST4 Plus platform. It is designed with clinical and diagnostic laboratory applications in mind while retaining the versatility needed for research, biotechnology, and general laboratory workflows.
Is the Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD refrigerated?
No. The ST4 Plus-MD is the non-refrigerated model. Laboratories requiring temperature-controlled centrifugation should consider the Thermo Scientific ST4R Plus-MD, where the “R” identifies the refrigerated version.
Does this particular Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD include a rotor?
Yes. This centrifuge includes the Thermo Scientific TX-1000 swing-bucket rotor. The TX-1000 provides up to 4 liters of total capacity and operates at up to 3,800 RPM / 3,374 × g.
Why does some literature show higher speed or RCF specifications for the ST4 Plus-MD?
The centrifuge supports multiple rotors, and each rotor has its own maximum operating limits. The ST4 Plus-MD platform can reach substantially higher speeds with compatible fixed-angle rotors, while the included TX-1000 is a large-capacity swing-bucket rotor limited to 3,800 RPM / 3,374 × g.
How many 15 mL and 50 mL conical tubes can the TX-1000 process?
With the appropriate adapters, TX-1000 configurations can accommodate up to 96 × 15 mL conical tubes or 40 × 50 mL conical tubes. Customers should confirm the adapters included with this particular unit before purchase.
Is the TX-1000 useful for blood processing?
Yes. The TX-1000 is particularly well suited to high-throughput blood tube processing. Depending on adapters, configurations can accommodate up to 196 × 5/7 mL or 148 × 9/10 mL blood collection tubes.
Can the Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD process microplates?
Yes. The TX-1000 rotor can support up to six microplates with the appropriate carriers and accessories, making the centrifuge useful for clinical, screening, molecular biology, and general research workflows.
How does the ST4 Plus-MD compare with the Eppendorf 5920R?
Both are high-capacity benchtop platforms, but they address somewhat different needs. The ST4 Plus-MD with TX-1000 emphasizes 4-liter capacity, clinical workflow compatibility, and high-throughput routine processing, while the Eppendorf 5920R adds active refrigeration for temperature-sensitive samples. Laboratories should choose based on required sample capacity, temperature control, rotor needs, and application.
When should I choose the refrigerated ST4R Plus-MD instead?
Choose the refrigerated version when protocols require controlled sample temperatures during centrifugation. If most work involves routine blood separation, ambient-temperature conical tube processing, or other protocols that do not require refrigeration, the non-refrigerated ST4 Plus-MD can provide the required capacity with less weight and mechanical complexity.
Is a refurbished Megafuge ST4 Plus-MD a good choice for a high-throughput laboratory?
For laboratories that need large batch capacity without refrigerated operation, it can be particularly attractive. The TX-1000 provides up to 4 liters of capacity, the platform operates from 120V power, and the broad accessory ecosystem allows one centrifuge to support blood tubes, conical tubes, bottles, and plates. A professionally tested refurbished system can provide this capability while reducing acquisition cost compared with purchasing a comparable new centrifuge.
CLICK HERE to see the Thermo Scientific ST4 Plus-MD Megafuge on our YouTube channel
FAQ
Does the equipment come with a warranty?
Yes, all equipment from American Instrument Exchange comes with a warranty. Used/reconditioned/refurbished equipment is tested to make sure it operates to the manufacturer's specifications and comes with a 90-day warranty (unless otherwise noted). New equipment comes with a warranty from the manufacturer.
How do you test and recondition the equipment?
Testing requirements vary across all the equipment categories we sell. Temperature controlled units are tested with NIST traceable probes and data loggers. Gaskets, external housing, glass, handles, controls and control screens are all thoroughly inspected for integrity and functionality. We test all equipment using the manufacturer's parameters and specifications to confirm that the unit operates properly.
How do products ship from American Instrument Exchange?
We can ship products both nationally and internationally using a well-established network of transporters. Smaller items will ship via UPS. Larger equipment will be palletized and shipped either LTL or air-ride, depending on the specific equipment and/or delivery requirements.
Return and order cancellation policy
American Instrument Exchange will accept the return of any product that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer's satisfaction during the warranty period. Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun will be subject to a cancellation and restocking fee of between 20% and 40%.
Are discounts available for educational or non-profit institutions, or for bulk purchases?
Yes – call or email us today with a list of equipment you're looking for and we can potentially put together a quote that includes a discount.
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We strive to keep our pricing competitive and reasonable. If you find comparable items for sale at a lower price from other vendors please send us a link and or quote for the item and we'll do our best to match or beat the price.
Can I see the equipment in person before committing to a purchase?
Customers are welcome to make an appointment to view equipment in our warehouse. Given our workload we may not be able to test or clean the equipment prior to your arrival if you have not committed to an order.
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Can I ship products that I purchased elsewhere to American Instrument for repair?
Yes – please see our repair services page for more information.
