Beckman Coulter Allegra X-30 Series Refrigerated Benchtop Centrifuge
| Brand | Beckman Coulter |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop Centrifuge |
| Speed Range | 100–16,000 rpm |
| Max RCF | 23,511 × g |
| Max Capacity | 4 × 400 mL |
| Temperature Range | –20 °C to +40 °C |
| Cooling | Eco-friendly refrigerant (R-134a) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 46 × 55 × 35.5 cm |
| Certified Biosafety Rotors | Fixed-angle & swing-bucket rotors compliant with ISO 15189 and CLSI guidelines |
Overview
The Beckman Coulter Allegra X-30 Series is a high-performance, refrigerated benchtop centrifuge engineered for precision separation across diverse life science and clinical laboratory workflows. Utilizing brushless induction motor technology and microprocessor-controlled acceleration/deceleration profiles, the system delivers exceptional rotational stability, low vibration, and high reproducibility in both routine and demanding applications. Its modular rotor architecture supports rapid configuration changes without tools, enabling seamless transitions between cell pelleting, bacterial harvesting, serum/plasma preparation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plate processing, and large-volume sample concentration. Designed and manufactured in the United States, the Allegra X-30 meets stringent international safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards (IEC 61010-1, EN 61326-1), and its refrigeration system employs R-134a — a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant aligned with EPA SNAP and EU F-Gas Regulation requirements.
Key Features
- Refrigerated operation with precise temperature control from –20 °C to +40 °C; achieves 4 °C setpoint within ≤10 minutes under standard load conditions.
- Maximum speed of 16,000 rpm and relative centrifugal force (RCF) up to 23,511 × g, enabling efficient sedimentation of mammalian cells, bacteria, subcellular organelles, and macromolecular complexes.
- Compact footprint (46 × 55 × 35.5 cm) optimized for limited bench space while maintaining full 4 × 400 mL capacity — compatible with standard laboratory fume hoods and biosafety cabinets.
- Biosafety-certified rotor options including fixed-angle (e.g., F2402H), swing-bucket (e.g., SX4400), and microplate carriers (e.g., S6096), all validated per ISO 15189 Annex A.3 and CLSI GP47-A4 for containment integrity during high-speed operation.
- Intuitive touchscreen interface with programmable method storage (≥99 protocols), real-time run monitoring, and automatic rotor identification via embedded RFID tags.
- Comprehensive safety architecture: lid interlock with dual mechanical/electronic sensors, imbalance detection (< ±5 g tolerance), and automatic deceleration upon anomaly detection.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Allegra X-30 accommodates a broad spectrum of primary and secondary containers through interchangeable rotors and 20 dedicated adapters. Validated configurations include 0.25–1.5 mL microtubes (F2402H), 0.5–400 mL conical and round-bottom tubes (SX4400), 96-well PCR plates, and standard 96-/384-well ELISA or deep-well microplates (S6096). All rotors are certified to ASTM F1842-22 for mechanical integrity under cyclic loading and comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic record retention when used with Beckman Coulter’s optional Data Management Software. The instrument supports GLP/GMP-compliant workflows through audit-trail-enabled method execution logs and user-access controls.
Software & Data Management
Optional Beckman Coulter CentriLog™ software provides centralized protocol deployment, remote instrument monitoring, and export of time-stamped run data in CSV or PDF formats. Integration with LIMS platforms is supported via HL7 and ASTM E1384 interfaces. All methods and event logs include digital signatures, version control, and tamper-evident timestamps — fulfilling ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) for regulated environments.
Applications
- Routine clinical diagnostics: Serum separation, whole blood fractionation, urine sediment analysis.
- Cell culture labs: Harvesting adherent and suspension cells (HEK293, CHO, Jurkat), bacterial pellet collection (E. coli, Bacillus spp.), and yeast lysate clarification.
- Protein biochemistry: Crude extract clarification prior to chromatography, membrane fraction isolation, and virus pellet recovery.
- Genomics & molecular biology: Nucleic acid precipitation, plasmid purification intermediates, and next-generation sequencing library cleanup.
- Quality control laboratories: Stability testing of biologics, excipient suspension homogeneity assessment, and particulate matter analysis per USP .
FAQ
What is the maximum RCF achievable with the F2402H fixed-angle rotor?
The F2402H rotor delivers up to 29,756 × g at 18,000 rpm — optimized for rapid pelleting of small-volume samples (0.25–1.5 mL) in molecular biology applications.
Does the Allegra X-30 support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
Yes — when operated with CentriLog™ software and configured with role-based user accounts, electronic signatures, and audit-trail logging, it satisfies key elements of FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures.
Can the SX4400 swing-bucket rotor accommodate 250 mL bottles?
Yes — the SX4400 rotor accepts 250 mL and 400 mL bottles using appropriate adapters, with maximum RCF of 4,255 × g at 4,700 rpm.
Is rotor calibration traceable to NIST standards?
All factory-calibrated rotors include a certificate of conformance referencing NIST-traceable torque and speed verification procedures performed during final assembly.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the refrigeration system?
Beckman Coulter recommends annual preventive maintenance by authorized service personnel, including refrigerant pressure verification, condenser coil inspection, and thermal sensor calibration per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines.
