ROCKER VF2 Stainless Steel Filtration Assembly

Overview

The ROCKER VF2 Stainless Steel Filtration Assembly is a precision-engineered vacuum filtration system designed for demanding life science and bioengineering applications requiring repeated sterilization, chemical resistance, and operational reliability. Built upon Couette-flow-compatible vacuum filtration principles, the VF2 integrates a 100 mL SUS316 stainless steel filter funnel with a 1000 mL rapid-drain borosilicate glass receiver bottle, enabling efficient particulate removal, microbial clarification, and solvent-based sample purification under controlled negative pressure. Its architecture supports both qualitative and quantitative filtration workflows—particularly where flame sterilization, autoclaving, or dry-heat treatment is routinely required, such as in microbiological assay preparation, sterile filtrate recovery, or aggressive solvent handling (e.g., acetone, chloroform, or concentrated acids/bases). The system operates without external clamps or complex fasteners, relying instead on mechanical integrity, material compatibility, and ergonomic design to ensure reproducible seal performance across hundreds of sterilization cycles.

Key Features

• SUS316 Stainless Steel Construction: Entire funnel body—including upper cup, base, and membrane support plate—is fabricated from medical-grade SUS316 stainless steel, offering superior corrosion resistance against halogens, oxidizing agents, and organic solvents compared to 304 or 316L alternatives.
• Patented Twist-Lock Sealing Mechanism (Patent No. M381450): A proprietary rotational coupling interface ensures gas-tight, vibration-resistant sealing between funnel and receiver bottle—eliminating reliance on spring clamps or O-ring compression tools while maintaining consistent torque-driven engagement.
• Rapid Drain Valve System: Integrated bottom-mounted drain valve allows full waste liquid evacuation without disassembly; engineered with PTFE-sealed stainless steel internals to prevent cross-contamination and support GLP-compliant residue clearance protocols.
• Reinforced Magnetic Base Assembly: Weighted neodymium magnet housing provides >12 N holding force on standard stainless steel work surfaces, significantly reducing accidental tipping during high-volume filtration or multi-position benchtop setups.
• Tubing Interface Protection Ring: Molded silicone guard collar surrounds the vacuum port to absorb radial stress during high-pressure hose insertion, preventing fracture of the glass neck or deformation of the funnel’s vacuum inlet flange.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The VF2 assembly accommodates standard 47 mm and 50 mm diameter membranes—including mixed cellulose ester (MCE), polyethersulfone (PES), nylon, PVDF, and track-etched polycarbonate—enabling broad-spectrum use across microbial retention (≥0.22 µm), particle counting, and pre-filtration for HPLC or mass spectrometry sample prep. All wetted components comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility standards and are compatible with ISO 13485-certified manufacturing processes. The SUS316 construction meets ASTM F899 specifications for surgical stainless steel, and the borosilicate receiver bottle conforms to DIN ISO 3585 for hydrolytic resistance class HGB 1. The system supports validation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned workflows when integrated with electronic log-enabled vacuum controllers and audit-trail-capable LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

While the VF2 is a manually operated, non-electronic filtration platform, its modular design enables seamless integration into digitally managed lab environments. When paired with ROCKER’s VACUUBRAND-compatible vacuum controllers (e.g., RC 6000 series), users can configure pressure setpoints, runtime logging, and automatic shut-off via RS485 or analog 0–10 V interfaces. All component part numbers (e.g., 167200-02, 167103-10) are encoded in GS1-compliant barcodes for inventory traceability, and raw material certifications (EN 10204 3.1) are available upon request for GMP-regulated quality dossiers.

Applications

• Microbiological testing: Sterile filtration of culture media, buffer solutions, and antibiotic stock preparations prior to membrane filtration assays (ASTM D1293, ISO 9308-1).
• Pharmaceutical QC: Clarification of injectable formulations and excipient solutions under aseptic conditions compliant with USP Sterility Tests.
• Environmental analysis: Pre-concentration of water samples for heavy metal or pathogen detection using 0.45 µm or 0.22 µm membranes.
• Bioprocessing support: Harvest clarification of mammalian cell culture supernatants prior to depth filtration or tangential flow ultrafiltration stages.
• Academic research: Reproducible filtration of corrosive reagents (e.g., TFA, HFIP) in polymer synthesis or nanomaterial dispersion workflows.

FAQ

Can the VF2 funnel be sterilized using dry heat at 180°C?
Yes—the SUS316 construction and fully metallic sealing interface are rated for continuous exposure up to 200°C, making it suitable for dry-heat sterilization per ISO 17665-1 Annex C.
Is the magnetic base compatible with non-ferrous lab benches?
The base requires a ferromagnetic surface (e.g., stainless steel or coated steel) for optimal adhesion; alternative mounting options include vacuum-suction pads or threaded bench adapters (sold separately).
What is the maximum recommended vacuum pressure for this assembly?
Operational limit is –95 kPa (absolute), consistent with standard laboratory vacuum pumps; exceeding this may compromise seal integrity or induce membrane collapse under high differential pressure.
Are replacement silicone stoppers available in other sizes?
Yes—ROCKER offers No. 11, No. 13, and No. 18 silicone stoppers (P/N 167103-xx) for custom tubing configurations or alternate receiver bottle formats.
Does the system meet EU REACH and RoHS directives?
All materials are certified REACH SVHC-free and RoHS 3 compliant; full declarations are provided in the Technical Documentation Package (TDP) issued with each shipment.