Hershey BE-6100HX Microplate Centrifuge

Overview

The Hershey BE-6100HX Microplate Centrifuge is a compact, benchtop centrifugal instrument engineered specifically for rapid, low-force sedimentation of liquid contents in standard microtiter formats. Unlike general-purpose centrifuges, it employs a vertically oriented, fixed-angle rotor architecture optimized for 96-well PCR plates, ELISA plates, deep-well plates, and other SBS-compliant microplates—regardless of rimmed or rimless design. Its operational principle relies on transient acceleration to 2500 rpm (generating up to 500 × g), sufficient to overcome surface tension and gravitational resistance, thereby relocating suspended droplets or condensate from well walls to the bottom of each well. This process—commonly referred to as “plate spinning” or “plate dehydration”—is critical prior to thermal cycling, optical reading, enzymatic reactions, or sample transfer, ensuring volumetric consistency, minimizing cross-contamination risk, and improving assay reproducibility across high-throughput workflows.

Key Features

• Benchtop footprint of only 210 × 190 × 190 mm—reducing spatial demand by approximately 50% compared to conventional microplate centrifuges.
• Vertical insertion slot enables intuitive, alignment-free loading of two full 96-well plates simultaneously without tilting or lateral displacement.
• Instant-on/off activation via front-panel tactile button: rotor accelerates to 2500 rpm within <1.2 seconds; deceleration is passive and brake-free, eliminating mechanical wear and heat buildup.
• Fixed vertical rotor geometry maintains plate orientation throughout operation—no reorientation mechanism required—ensuring consistent force vector application perpendicular to well bases.
• Low-power 20 W motor supports continuous duty cycles in shared lab environments without thermal overload or voltage fluctuation concerns.
• Robust ABS housing with integrated safety interlock: centrifugation initiates only when lid is fully closed and latched, meeting IEC 61010-1 Class II electrical safety standards.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BE-6100HX accommodates all ANSI/SBS-standard microplates—including skirted, semi-skirted, unskirted, and deep-well variants—across common materials (polypropylene, polystyrene, cyclic olefin copolymer). It is routinely deployed in pre-PCR setup, ELISA wash steps, cell culture supernatant harvesting, and nucleic acid purification protocols where precise liquid positioning is essential. While not certified for clinical diagnostics under FDA 21 CFR Part 820, its mechanical design and operational repeatability support compliance with ISO 15189, CLSI EP15-A3, and internal GLP/GMP validation frameworks. Audit-ready usage logs may be maintained manually per laboratory SOPs, though the device does not include electronic audit trail functionality.

Software & Data Management

The BE-6100HX operates as a standalone electromechanical instrument with no embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or connectivity options (USB/Ethernet/Wi-Fi). All parameters—including speed, run duration, and RCF—are fixed at factory calibration and non-adjustable. This design prioritizes reliability, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and long-term stability over programmability. Users record run metadata (date, operator ID, plate lot numbers) externally using LIMS-integrated spreadsheets or paper-based logbooks. For laboratories requiring traceable electronic records, integration with third-party timer-based data capture systems (e.g., USB-connected stopwatches with CSV export) is feasible but not vendor-supported.

Applications

• Pre-thermal cycling consolidation of PCR master mixes and template DNA in 96- and 384-well formats.
• Removal of condensation from plate lids following refrigerated storage or humidity-controlled incubation.
• Enhancing signal-to-noise ratio in absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence microplate readers by ensuring uniform meniscus positioning.
• Facilitating complete aspiration during automated liquid handling by eliminating residual wall-adhered volumes.
• Supporting QC/QA steps in biopharmaceutical upstream processing, including clarified harvest collection from micro-bioreactors.

FAQ

Is the BE-6100HX suitable for centrifuging 384-well plates?
No—it is mechanically configured for 96-well and deep-well formats only; 384-well plates are physically incompatible with the rotor cavity dimensions.
Can this centrifuge be used for cell pelleting?
No—the maximum RCF of 500 × g is insufficient for pelleting mammalian cells, bacteria, or subcellular fractions; it is intended solely for liquid redistribution within microplate wells.
Does the device include a cooling function?
No—this is a non-refrigerated unit; ambient temperature operation is recommended to prevent thermal shock to temperature-sensitive reagents.
What maintenance is required?
Routine cleaning of the rotor chamber with 70% ethanol and visual inspection of the lid latch mechanism every 100 runs; no lubrication or calibration is necessary.
Is the rotor autoclavable?
No—the rotor is constructed from impact-resistant polymer and is not rated for steam sterilization; wipe disinfection only is advised.