Hershey HR20M Floor-Standing High-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Hershey HR20M is a floor-standing, high-speed refrigerated centrifuge engineered for demanding separation tasks in clinical diagnostics, biopharmaceutical R&D, and academic life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled rotational force, enabling rapid and reproducible separation of biological suspensions—including mammalian cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, nucleic acids, and protein complexes—based on differences in density, size, and shape. With a maximum speed of 20,000 rpm and a peak relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 48,745 × g, the HR20M delivers robust performance across a broad operational envelope while maintaining precise thermal control from −20 °C to +40 °C. Its structural architecture integrates a high-torque AC frequency-controlled motor, Mitsubishi PLC-based motion control, and a reinforced 304 stainless steel centrifuge chamber—ensuring mechanical stability, low acoustic emission (<65 dB[A]), and long-term reliability under continuous operation.

Key Features

• High-efficiency refrigeration system using R404a refrigerant and fluorine-free compressor, supporting active pre-cooling, standby temperature maintenance, and automatic defrosting
• Triple-stage damping system with composite shock absorption and precision-balanced rotor mounting to suppress vibration and prevent sample resuspension
• TFT-LCD true-color touchscreen interface with multilingual support (English, Chinese), real-time display of speed, RCF, temperature, time, and acceleration/deceleration curves
• Biocontainment-certified angular rotors sealed with RoHS-compliant silicone rubber gaskets to minimize aerosol leakage during high-speed operation
• Mechanical interlocked lid with auto-engaging latch mechanism compliant with IEC 61010-2-020 safety requirements for centrifuges
• 16 programmable user protocols with editable rotor-specific parameters, including 10-step acceleration and deceleration ramping
• Structural integrity reinforced by triple-layer steel protective housing, one-piece stamped steel front panel, and corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel chamber
• Mobile base with locking casters and adjustable leveling feet for safe relocation and horizontal alignment in diverse lab environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HR20M accommodates a wide range of sample formats via interchangeable angular rotors—including 16 × 10 mL, 6 × 50 mL (round-bottom and conical), 8 × 100 mL, 6 × 250/300 mL, 6 × 500 mL (Beckman-style bottles), and 4 × 1000 mL configurations—as well as a 3 L continuous-flow rotor. All aluminum rotors are forged from aerospace-grade alloy and anodized for durability and chemical resistance. Polyamide fiber adapters ensure secure fitment of non-standard tube geometries without compromising balance or thermal transfer. The system complies with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 quality management standards, holds CFDA registration and manufacturing license, and meets essential EU directives: CE marking under Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Its human-machine interface satisfies NEMA 4 ingress protection, and its electrical design conforms to IEC 61131-2:2007.

Software & Data Management

The HR20M’s embedded control firmware supports full audit trail functionality for GLP and GMP-aligned workflows. All parameter changes—including setpoints, run logs, rotor ID recognition, error codes, and temperature history—are timestamped and stored locally with non-volatile memory retention. While the system does not feature network connectivity or remote cloud access, its data export capability via USB interface allows seamless integration into laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Protocol files can be backed up, duplicated, and validated per internal SOPs. The controller enforces mandatory rotor identification before start-up and performs automatic imbalance detection at all speeds, halting operation if mass asymmetry exceeds defined thresholds. These features collectively support compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with appropriate institutional documentation controls.

Applications

The HR20M is routinely deployed in applications requiring high-throughput, temperature-sensitive pelleting and clarification: isolation of exosomes and extracellular vesicles from cell culture supernatants; purification of plasmid DNA and RNA from bacterial lysates; fractionation of mitochondria, lysosomes, and microsomes from tissue homogenates; preparation of viral stocks for vaccine development; and concentration of monoclonal antibodies prior to chromatographic processing. Its −20 °C cooling capacity enables cryo-stable separations critical for enzyme preservation and membrane protein integrity. The 4 × 1000 mL capacity supports large-volume bioprocessing steps such as harvest clarification in upstream biomanufacturing, while the continuous-flow rotor option facilitates pilot-scale tangential flow concentration.

FAQ

What is the maximum RCF achievable with the 4 × 1000 mL rotor configuration?

The 4 × 1000 mL bucket rotor achieves a maximum RCF of 12,594 × g at 8,000 rpm.

Does the HR20M support validation documentation for regulated environments?

Yes—the instrument includes factory calibration records, IQ/OQ-ready documentation templates, and full traceability of firmware revisions and safety certifications required for GLP/GMP audits.

Can third-party rotors be used with this centrifuge?

No. Only Hershey-certified rotors with integrated RFID or barcode identification are recognized by the control system to ensure mechanical compatibility and safety interlock integrity.

Is the refrigeration system serviceable in situ?

Yes—compressor modules and refrigerant circuits are modularly designed for field replacement without full disassembly of the chassis, minimizing downtime.

How is rotor lifetime monitored?

Each rotor carries a built-in usage counter that tracks cumulative run hours and maximum speed cycles; the display alerts users when service or retirement thresholds are approached.