Drucker vs. the Competition: What Sets the DASH 24 Apart From Other High-Capacity Centrifuges

When a clinical lab evaluates a new 24-place centrifuge, the spec sheet is only part of the picture. Maximum speed matters, and so does the range of tubes a single centrifuge can spin, what comes in the box, and the service team behind it.

This guide compares the Drucker Diagnostics all-new DASH 24 with three centrifuges labs often consider alongside it: the Hettich UNIVERSAL 320, the Hettich ROTOFIX 32A, and the Thermo Fisher Sorvall ST 8.

The Centrifuges at a Glance

Interface and Workflow Flexibility

The DASH 24 high-capacity centrifuge is the only touchscreen centrifuge in its class.

Alongside built-in presets for common STAT cycles such as blood chemistry, coagulation, and microtube spins, operators can create and save custom protocols for their own applications. The UNIVERSAL 320, ROTOFIX 32A, and Sorvall ST 8 each use a button interface with a digital display. For labs that run a varied protocol list or want consistent setup across multiple operators, saved touchscreen protocols reduce setup steps and the chance of a mis-entered cycle.

Speed and RCF

Higher RCF allows for faster, more complete sample separation and determines which applications a centrifuge can support.

The Hettich UNIVERSAL 320 reaches the highest maximum RPM at 5,000, though its RCF tops out at 3,913 xg. The DASH 24 reaches 4,850 RPM and leads this group in maximum RCF at 4,000 xg, meaning it delivers more centrifugal force per revolution despite slightly lower top speed. For labs where g-force is the relevant performance metric for their specific applications, this distinction matters.

The Hettich ROTOFIX 32A and Thermo Fisher Sorvall ST 8 both fall below the DASH 24 in maximum RCF, at 3,450 xg and 3,260 xg respectively. For standard clinical separations, all four instruments perform within a workable range, but labs processing specimens that require higher g-forces will find the DASH 24 better positioned.

Tube Capacity and Versatility

This is where the DASH 24 stands out most clearly from the competition.

Standard tube sizes (up to 10 mL): The Hettich UNIVERSAL 320 leads in terms of standard tube capacity, with a maximum of 28 samples. The DASH 24 can spin 24 tubes up to 10 mL, while the ROTOFIX 32A and Sorvall ST 8 both hold up to 16.

15 mL tubes: The DASH 24 is the only centrifuge in this comparison that accommodates 16 x 125 mm (15 mL) tubes right out of the box.

50 mL conical tubes: The DASH 24 can spin 6 x 50 mL tubes with included accessories. The UNIVERSAL 320, ROTOFIX 32A, and Sorvall ST 8 all require the purchase of a select rotor to accommodate 50 mL tubes, which adds cost and the extra step of swapping out rotors to any workflow that uses them.

Small tubes (up to 2 mL): All three competing instruments support small tube formats. The UNIVERSAL 320 holds up to 28; the DASH 24 holds 24; and the ROTOFIX 32A holds 20. The Sorvall ST 8 does not support this tube size at all in its standard configuration.

For labs processing multiple sample types across a full range of tube sizes, the DASH 24 is the only centrifuge here that covers everything from 0.5 mL microtubes to 50 mL conicals without requiring additional rotors or accessories.

Ready to Run, Right Out of the Box

Every DASH 24 ships with a standard horizontal rotor, carrier buckets for 15 mL and 50 mL tubes, and adapters for 0.5–2 mL microtubes. Labs can begin processing samples immediately after setup, with no additional purchases required.

By comparison, competitor instruments that support 50 mL tubes require a separate rotor purchase to access that functionality. Labs evaluating total cost of ownership should factor in both the cost of additional rotors and any delay in reaching full operational capability.

Footprint

The DASH 24 has a larger bench footprint than its competitors, which is worth noting for space-constrained environments.

The UNIVERSAL 320 has a similar width but is notably shorter. The ROTOFIX 32A and Sorvall ST 8 are the most compact options overall. Labs with limited bench space should take physical dimensions into account alongside performance specs.

USA-Designed, Built, and Supported

Every Drucker centrifuge is designed, built, and supported in the USA, with a customer service team based in Central Pennsylvania. For clinical labs, support response time directly affects uptime, so it’s a fair factor to weigh alongside the hardware specs.

Try the DASH 24 in Your Lab

The DASH 24’s strength is how its features work together: the highest maximum RCF in this group, the widest tube range on one rotor, a complete accessory set in the box, a touchscreen for protocol management, and US-based support. Labs that spin a single tube size at high volume may find a competitor’s higher position count appealing, while labs handling a mix of sample types tend to value the DASH 24’s range and out-of-box readiness.

Want to see how the DASH 24 performs in your own lab? Contact our sales team at 1-866-265-1486 (U.S. only) or [email protected] learn more, and ask about our try-and-buy program to evaluate a Drucker centrifuge risk-free for 30 days.