Hercel H/T16MM Benchtop High-Speed Centrifuge

Overview

The Hercel H/T16MM is a precision-engineered benchtop high-speed centrifuge designed for routine and demanding separation tasks in life science, clinical, food safety, and agricultural research laboratories. Operating on the principle of sedimentation under controlled rotational acceleration, it delivers reproducible separation performance across diverse sample types—including cellular suspensions, subcellular fractions, nucleic acid preparations, protein precipitates, and particulate contaminants—without integrated refrigeration. Its maximum rotational speed of 16,500 rpm and peak relative centrifugal force (RCF) of 19,600 ×g enable rapid pelleting of microorganisms, organelles, and macromolecular complexes while maintaining structural integrity under optimized run conditions. The instrument adheres to fundamental safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements per IEC 61010-1 and incorporates design elements aligned with ISO 13485-based quality system expectations for laboratory equipment manufacturers.

Key Features

• Brushless frequency-controlled motor ensures stable speed regulation, low maintenance, and ultra-quiet operation (≤60 dB[A] at full load), minimizing acoustic disturbance in shared lab environments.
• 4.3-inch TFT true-color touchscreen with dual-control interface displays real-time RCF, rpm, time remaining, and temperature (ambient monitoring only); supports intuitive parameter entry and visual feedback during protocol execution.
• Electromechanically actuated silent door lock engages automatically upon lid closure and disengages only after complete rotor deceleration—eliminating mechanical wear and enhancing operational safety.
• Stainless-steel centrifuge chamber resists corrosion from common reagents (e.g., ethanol, chloroform, mild acids/bases) and facilitates rapid decontamination between runs.
• 20 programmable user methods allow storage of frequently used combinations of speed, time, acceleration/deceleration profiles, and rotor-specific RCF limits—reducing setup errors and improving inter-operator consistency.
• Human-centered ergonomic housing features streamlined contours, non-slip base, and compact footprint (500 × 440 × 330 mm), enabling flexible placement on standard lab benches without requiring dedicated floor space.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The H/T16MM accommodates a broad spectrum of tube formats via interchangeable angular and swing-out rotors, including 1.5–2.0 mL microcentrifuge tubes (up to 24 positions), 5–15 mL conical tubes (up to 8 × 15 mL), 50 mL Falcon-style tubes (6 × 50 mL), 100 mL bottles (4 × 100 mL), and 96-well microplate carriers (2 × 48-well). All rotors are dynamically balanced and certified for rated speeds per ISO 21501-4. While the unit operates at ambient temperature and does not meet ISO 15189 or CLIA requirements for temperature-controlled clinical centrifugation, its mechanical stability, RCF accuracy (<±2% deviation at setpoint), and traceable calibration support GLP-aligned workflows where thermal control is not mandated. Documentation includes CE Declaration of Conformity and manufacturer’s conformity statement to IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety.

Software & Data Management

The H/T16MM operates as a standalone instrument with no external PC dependency. All method parameters—including rpm, RCF, time, acceleration ramp, and deceleration profile—are stored locally in non-volatile memory with timestamped execution logs accessible via touchscreen history view. While the device lacks network connectivity or FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures, its 20-program capacity, consistent parameter recall, and physical audit trail (printed or manually recorded run logs) satisfy basic data integrity requirements for academic, industrial QC, and regulatory-preliminary applications. Export functionality is not supported; however, users may integrate run records into LIMS or ELN systems through manual entry or barcode-assisted logging using third-party scanners.

Applications

• Cell harvesting and lysis fractionation in molecular biology labs preparing plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, or RNA from bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cultures.
• Routine purification of extracellular vesicles, exosomes, and lipoprotein particles from serum or cell culture supernatants using differential centrifugation protocols.
• Clarification of crude enzyme extracts or antibody-containing supernatants prior to chromatographic analysis or immunoassay development.
• Food microbiology workflows involving concentration of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli) from enrichment broths prior to PCR or plating.
• Agricultural residue analysis—e.g., soil suspension clarification, pesticide extraction cleanup, or pollen grain isolation for morphological studies.
• Pre-analytical processing in hospital labs for serum/plasma separation from whole blood when refrigerated centrifugation is not required.

FAQ

Is the H/T16MM suitable for clinical diagnostics under CLIA or CAP accreditation?
No. It lacks active temperature control and is not validated for diagnostic use under CLIA, CAP, or ISO 15189. It is intended for research, teaching, and preclinical applications.
Can I use this centrifuge with fixed-angle rotors for ultracentrifugation protocols?
No. With a maximum speed of 16,500 rpm and RCF up to 19,600 ×g, it falls within the high-speed—not ultracentrifuge—category (which typically exceeds 50,000 rpm and 100,000 ×g).
Does the unit include rotor imbalance detection or automatic shutdown?
Yes. Built-in vibration sensing triggers immediate deceleration and error code display if mass asymmetry exceeds safe operational thresholds during acceleration or steady-state rotation.
Are rotor certifications included with purchase?
Each rotor ships with a factory-issued certificate listing serial number, maximum rated speed, RCF, and compliance with ISO 21501-4 mechanical safety standards.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Routine cleaning of the chamber and rotor seating surfaces; annual inspection of door lock actuation and motor brushless drive firmware updates (via USB port, if available in later firmware revisions).