Abstract: An automated centrifuge comprising a rotor having a plurality of sample receiving elements located in the rotor is provided. Sample processing components are structured to be insertable into any one of the receiving elements and a controller is configured to insert the sample processing components into the sample receiving elements. The sample receiving elements located in the rotor are grouped in clusters, and the cavities of each cluster are substantially parallel. Also, an automated centrifuge system comprising a rotor including a plurality of clusters of receiving elements, each element including a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axes of each element in a cluster being substantially parallel is provided. A plurality of sample processing components are arranged in groups, with each group configured to be received into adjacent clusters. A rotor position member is structured to determine the position of each cluster.