Centrifuge swing-bucket insert for chunky/slightly larger than standard sample/transfer tubes (15ml conical tubes,etc...) for Thermo Scientific Sorvall ST16 centrifuge.

Our centrifuges came with a swing bucket insert for larger tubes (not super fat/huge tubes), but when we use them, samples tend to break at the bottom in the middle of a cycle, leaving us with nasty, bio-hazardous messes that take at least 30 minutes to clean up, and when our centrifuges need to spin 24/7/365 it is quite frustrating. This is my attempt at designing a bucket insert that doesn't break samples. I printed 2 (remember to keep them balanced) and tested them empty, with empty tubes, then tubes with water (simulate samples) at 3000 and 5000rpms for 3, 5, and 15 minutes spin time. We have been using them for a few months now and they work great!

Layer height: .2mm

Infill: 50% (triangular for strength)

I made the bottom 1cm solid (5 bottom layers at .2mm layer height) because that part will take the most stress.

I used PLA pro