What piece of equipment operates at 20,000 rpm in the lab?

The piece of equipment that operates at 20,000 rpm in a lab setting is typically the electric lab handpiece. Electric lab handpieces are designed to provide high-speed capabilities, making them ideal for various dental laboratory procedures, such as trimming, polishing, and shaping. Operating at this specific speed allows for efficient material removal while maintaining precision control—an essential requirement in dental prosthetics and other lab functions.

The other equipment listed operates at different speeds or serves different functions. A dental drill is usually more versatile in speed and can operate at both higher and lower rates for different procedures. A dental lathe often spins at lower speeds for polishing and finishing restorations, whereas a handpiece turbine is more commonly associated with dental treatments rather than lab work and generally operates much faster than 20,000 rpm. Therefore, the electric lab handpiece stands out for its specific and controlled operational speed.