Beckman Coulter Allegra X-12 Benchtop Centrifuge
| Brand | Beckman Coulter |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Product Category | Imported Benchtop Centrifuge |
| Model | Allegra X-12 |
| Centrifuge Type | Low-Speed Centrifuge (max. 10,200 rpm) |
| Rotor Configuration | Horizontal Swing-Bucket Rotor |
| Sample Capacity | 6 × 100 mL or 4 × 750 mL |
| Max Speed | 10,200 rpm (fixed-angle) / 3,750 rpm (swing-bucket) |
| Max RCF | 11,400 × g (fixed-angle) / 3,270 × g (swing-bucket) |
| Dimensions | 34.3 × 76.2 × 62.2 cm (W × H × D) |
Overview
The Beckman Coulter Allegra X-12 is a high-capacity, low-speed benchtop centrifuge engineered for routine separation tasks in cell culture, clinical diagnostics, and basic life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled gravitational force (RCF), enabling efficient pelleting of cells, organelles, and particulate matter from suspension media. Designed for robust daily use, the Allegra X-12 supports both fixed-angle and horizontal swing-bucket rotor configurations—offering flexibility across protocols requiring differential sedimentation, density gradient separation, or large-volume processing. Its mechanical architecture prioritizes operational stability, thermal management, and acoustic dampening, ensuring reproducible results during extended runs typical in cell harvesting, plasma/serum preparation, and bacterial pellet collection.
Key Features
- High-volume horizontal rotor support: accommodates up to 4 × 750 mL bottles or 6 × 100 mL conical tubes—eliminating the need for sample splitting and reducing handling steps.
- ARIESTM self-correcting imbalance compensation system: tolerates up to 50 g mass asymmetry between opposing positions; enables safe operation without precision weighing or manual counterbalancing—only visual alignment required.
- Direct-in-bottle centrifugation capability: compatible with standard tissue culture flasks (e.g., T175, T225) and wide-mouth polycarbonate bottles—reducing transfer-related loss, contamination risk, and labor-intensive tube repackaging.
- Intuitive front-panel interface: single-knob navigation with contextual LED prompts and real-time parameter feedback—no nested menu structures, minimizing training time and operator error.
- Thermally stable chamber design: maintains ambient temperature during prolonged runs; optional refrigerated version (X-12R) available for temperature-sensitive samples.
- UL-listed and CE-marked construction: meets IEC 61010-1 safety standards for laboratory equipment; compliant with ISO 13485 requirements for in vitro diagnostic environments.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Allegra X-12 is validated for use with common laboratory containers including polypropylene and polycarbonate centrifuge bottles, glass serum bottles, and standard tissue culture flasks. Its horizontal rotor geometry ensures uniform sedimentation profiles ideal for fragile mammalian cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and bacterial pellets. The system adheres to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) documentation requirements when paired with Beckman Coulter’s optional data logging module. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, audit trails and user access logs can be implemented via third-party LIMS integration for regulated QC/QA workflows.
Software & Data Management
The Allegra X-12 operates as a standalone instrument with non-volatile memory storing up to 20 user-defined protocols. No proprietary software installation is required for routine operation. For labs requiring traceability, Beckman Coulter offers optional USB-based protocol export and run history download (CSV format). When integrated into networked lab infrastructures, the centrifuge supports RS-232 serial output for remote monitoring and event logging—compatible with most enterprise-grade laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELN).
Applications
- Mammalian cell harvest: direct centrifugation of adherent and suspension cultures in standard flasks—preserving viability and minimizing shear stress.
- Blood component separation: isolation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), buffy coat, and erythrocyte pellets using calibrated swing-bucket protocols.
- Microbial pellet recovery: high-yield collection of E. coli, yeast, and other model organisms from fermentation broths or culture supernatants.
- Tissue homogenate clarification: removal of cellular debris prior to subcellular fractionation or protein extraction workflows.
- Vaccine and bioprocess intermediate handling: scalable processing of clarified lysates and purified antigen preparations under cGMP-aligned conditions.
FAQ
Can the Allegra X-12 centrifuge tissue culture flasks directly?
Yes—T75, T175, and T225 flasks are certified for use with the horizontal rotor configuration under specified speed and RCF limits.
What safety certifications does this model hold?
It carries UL 61010-1 and CE marking per EN 61010-1:2010, confirming compliance with international electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directives.
Is refrigeration available on the X-12 platform?
The base X-12 is air-cooled; the X-12R variant includes a compressor-based cooling system (-9 °C to +40 °C range) for thermosensitive applications.
Does it support GLP-compliant recordkeeping?
Protocol storage and run history are retained locally; full audit trail functionality requires external LIMS integration or Beckman Coulter’s optional data logger accessory.
How is rotor imbalance handled during operation?
The ARIESTM system continuously monitors vibration signatures and dynamically adjusts motor torque to compensate for up to 50 g imbalance—without interrupting the run or requiring pre-balancing.
