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Laboratory automation is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s a practical necessity for
laboratories across the United Kingdom. Faced with mounting workloads, skills
shortages, and growing expectations for precision and traceability, British laboratories
are increasingly embracing automation to maintain competitiveness and reliability. The
goal is straightforward: allow machines to handle repetitive, precision-dependent tasks,
while human specialists focus on analysis, system optimisation, and innovation.
A recent study published in Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry highlights how
automation enhances reproducibility, improves data integrity, and accelerates
processing across scientific disciplines (Can I benefit from laboratory automation?,
Springer, 2023). Similarly, institutions such as Imperial College London and the
University of Cambridge have integrated advanced robotic systems to streamline
workflows, increase experimental throughput, and reduce manual error in complex
research environments. In clinical diagnostics, the NHS continues to expand
automated sample handling to improve turnaround times and reduce technician strain.
In short, automation has become the backbone of modern laboratory practice in the
UK.
The Tangible Benefits of Laboratory Automation
From an engineering perspective, the advantages of laboratory automation can be
categorised into four main domains:
- Operational efficiency: Automated systems can operate continuously, enabling
laboratories to process a higher volume of samples within a shorter timeframe
(MLO-Online, 2021). - Quality and consistency: Automated instruments perform with precision and
repeatability that is difficult to achieve manually. Centrifugation parameters
acceleration, temperature, deceleration can be replicated accurately across
runs, improving analytical reliability. - Safety and ergonomics: Automation limits repetitive strain and reduces
exposure to hazardous materials, vital in biomedical and clinical laboratories. - Data and compliance: Integration with Laboratory Information Management
Systems (LIMS) ensures every stage of the workflow is digitally recorded and
auditable crucial for ISO 15189 and UKAS-accredited facilities (Astech Projects,
2024).
These advantages are not theoretical. The Medical Laboratory Observer reported that
automated pre-analytical systems including robotic centrifugation improved SARS-CoV
2 testing throughput and consistency while lowering the risk of contamination (MLO,
2021). Similarly, NHS laboratories that adopted total laboratory automation observed
measurable gains in sample turnaround and error reduction. The engineering evidence
is clear: automation transforms laboratory reliability and productivity.
Centrifuges The Unsung Workhorse of Automation
Among all laboratory instruments, the centrifuge remains a cornerstone of sample
preparation. Yet until recently, it was one of the least automated processes.
Conventional centrifugation involves manual balancing, loading, and unloading — tasks
that are time-consuming and susceptible to error.
Modern automated centrifuges now eliminate these bottlenecks. Integrated within
robotic workflows, they can automatically receive, spin, and release samples without
manual intervention. A study published in the Journal of Open Hardware describes a
fully automated centrifugation system integrated with liquid-handling robots, enabling
hands-free sample processing and complete digital traceability (A Smart Centrifuge for
Automated Sample Processing, 2022).
In such systems, centrifuges communicate with robotic arms, conveyors, and LIMS
platforms. The result: shorter processing times, improved consistency, and a safer,
more streamlined workflow.
The Hettich SBS 300 Robotic Centrifuge
A prime example of engineering excellence in this domain is the Hettich SBS 300
Robotic Centrifuge a system purpose-built for automated, high-throughput
laboratories. Unlike traditional instruments retrofitted for automation, the SBS 300
Robotic is designed from the outset for integration.
Key technical characteristics include: - Flexible access: Available in both top- and front-loading configurations,
compatible with robotic arms or SCARA systems (Hettich Lab, 2024). - High performance: Speeds up to 6,300 rpm (4,615 × g) with a capacity for two
microtitre plates, ensuring industrial-grade performance in a compact footprint. - Continuous operation: Engineered for 24/7 reliability, with durable components
suitable for high-frequency automated workflows. - Integration-ready design: Open communication interfaces allow seamless
connectivity with automation lines, simplifying commissioning and long-term
maintenance.
From an engineering standpoint, this centrifuge demonstrates modularity,
interoperability, and precision, the three critical parameters that determine automation
success.
Henderson Biomedical at Lab Innovations 2025
At Henderson Biomedical, we understand that laboratory automation is not simply
about installing new hardware, it’s about delivering a cohesive, efficient, and intelligent
ecosystem. That’s why we are proud to be exhibiting the Hettich SBS 300 Robotic
Centrifuge at Lab Innovations 2025).
Join us at:
The NEC, Birmingham | Stand L113
29–30 October 2025
This exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to experience first-hand how a purpose
built robotic centrifuge can integrate into their existing workflows.
Automation is driving the next chapter of laboratory innovation and the SBS 300 Robotic
Centrifuge stands at the forefront of this transformation.
