As more people become interested in science, testing and chemistry in general - there becomes a need to access more complex equipment for various tasks, however this can often be outside the reach of many people who need one. However with some time and effort, various devices can be made and one example is this neat centrifuge by Instructables member orlov127.
For the uninitiated, a centrifuge is "... a machine with a rapidly rotating container that applies centrifugal force to its contents, typically to separate fluids of different densities (e.g., cream from milk) or liquids from solids" (thanks Wikipedia), and basically a device that can spin a test tube or two around at a very high speed - and with this example at around 30,000 RPM.
This home-made unit uses an Arduino to control a repurposed Dremel hand tool, which provides the hardware to rotate at such a high speed. A 3D printer is used to create the tube holder, and the enclosure is laser-cut for neatness. The Arduino can be used to control the speed and also duration of each session.
This is a great example of what can be made with some time and imagination, so visit the project Instructable page to learn how. And for more, we're on twitter, facebook and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If you are new to Arduino and looking to make your own centrifuge, join in with our range of Arduino-compatible hardware, prototyping shields and module range. A great start is the Freetronics Eleven, the Arduino Uno-compatible board with onboard prototyping space:
