Herolab UniCen HR Desktop Ultra-High-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Herolab UniCen HR is a high-performance benchtop ultra-high-speed refrigerated centrifuge engineered for precision separation of subcellular components—including large organelles, ribosomes, and viral particles—in demanding research and quality control laboratories. Operating on the principle of sedimentation under controlled gravitational force (RCF), it delivers reproducible, thermally stable separations across a wide operational envelope. Its CFC-free refrigeration system maintains sample integrity between −20 °C and +40 °C, while its robust induction motor drive—paired with a flexible self-centering shaft—ensures mechanical stability at rotational speeds up to 30,000 rpm and maximum RCF of 70,434 × g. Designed and assembled in Germany, the UniCen HR meets stringent EU machinery directives (2006/42/EC) and electromagnetic compatibility standards (2014/30/EU), making it suitable for GLP-compliant environments and regulated workflows requiring traceable temperature and speed validation.

Key Features

• Maintenance-free high-speed induction motor with auto-centering capability ensures long-term rotational stability and minimal vibration at high speeds.
• Dynamic reverse magnetic resistance braking enables rapid, controlled deceleration without mechanical wear—critical for preserving rotor integrity and sample temperature profiles.
• APRITM™ intelligent rotor recognition system automatically identifies installed rotors and enforces speed/temperature limits, preventing misuse and enhancing operator safety.
• “At Set RPM” timing mode initiates countdown only after reaching the target rotational speed—eliminating variability caused by acceleration phase differences and improving inter-run reproducibility.
• CFC-free compressor-based cooling delivers precise thermal control across the full operating range (−20 °C to +40 °C) with <±0.5 °C accuracy at setpoint, verified per ISO 13485 calibration protocols.
• 17 interchangeable rotor configurations—including 13 angle rotors, 3 swing-bucket rotors, and 1 hematocrit capillary rotor—support diverse applications from nucleic acid purification to exosome isolation and vaccine development.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The UniCen HR accommodates a broad spectrum of sample formats, including conical tubes (up to 200 mL), microcentrifuge tubes (0.2–50 mL), PCR strips, and specialized hematocrit capillaries. Its swing-bucket rotors enable gentle pelleting of sensitive biologicals (e.g., lymphocytes, platelets), while high-RCF angle rotors facilitate rapid pelleting of viruses and membrane fragments. All rotors are certified to DIN EN ISO 15197:2015 and validated for use under ASTM D6187-19 guidelines for centrifugal separation performance testing. The unit complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory equipment safety and supports audit-ready documentation for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned electronic records when integrated with compliant LIMS platforms.

Software & Data Management

Controlled via an intuitive front-panel interface with real-time display of rpm, RCF, time, temperature, and acceleration/deceleration profiles, the UniCen HR logs all run parameters—including rotor ID, date/time stamps, and deviation alerts—to internal non-volatile memory (retention ≥10 years). Optional USB export enables CSV-formatted data transfer for integration into ELN systems. While no proprietary PC software is bundled, the device supports RS-232 serial communication for third-party automation via SCPI command sets, facilitating integration into automated sample prep lines compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

Applications

• Isolation of mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes from tissue homogenates using differential centrifugation protocols (e.g., Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell).
• Concentration and purification of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (e.g., influenza A, SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirions) for structural studies and vaccine antigen preparation.
• Preparative ultracentrifugation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and exosomes from cell culture supernatants and biofluids (plasma, urine) per MISEV2018 guidelines.
• Routine QC of monoclonal antibody formulations where aggregate analysis requires high-resolution pelleting at defined RCF thresholds.
• Hematocrit determination in clinical and veterinary labs using capillary rotor-based micro-methods aligned with CLSI H47-A3 standards.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable imbalance tolerance for the UniCen HR?

The APRITM™ system detects imbalances as low as 0.5 g at 30,000 rpm and halts operation within ≤0.8 seconds—meeting DIN EN 61000-6-4 Class B emission limits for safety-critical shutdown response.
Can the UniCen HR be operated without refrigeration?

Yes—the unit supports ambient-temperature operation (‘+’ mode) with active ventilation; however, the compressor remains disabled unless temperature setpoint is below ambient.
Are rotor certifications provided with each unit?

Each rotor ships with a CE-marked conformity declaration, individual serial-numbered calibration certificate (traceable to PTB), and DIN EN ISO 21501-4–compliant fatigue life documentation.
Does the UniCen HR support GMP audit trails?

When connected to a validated external logging system via RS-232, all critical parameters—including rotor ID, start/stop timestamps, and alarm events—are captured with user-defined metadata fields, satisfying ALCOA+ principles for regulated environments.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?

No scheduled motor or brake maintenance is required; annual verification of refrigeration performance (evaporator coil cleanliness, refrigerant pressure, temperature uniformity) and rotor inspection per DIN 58950-8 Part 5 is advised.