Hershey TDZ5 Benchtop Low-Speed Centrifuge

Overview

The Hershey TDZ5 Benchtop Low-Speed Centrifuge is an engineered solution for routine separation tasks in clinical diagnostics, cell culture, biochemistry, and quality control laboratories. Operating on the principle of sedimentation under centrifugal force, the TDZ5 generates up to 4800 ×g at its maximum rotational speed of 5000 rpm—sufficient for pelleting mammalian cells, precipitating nucleic acids, clarifying crude lysates, and separating whole blood components such as plasma, serum, and buffy coats. Its low-speed design prioritizes sample integrity over ultra-high g-forces, making it especially suitable for temperature-sensitive biological macromolecules—including proteins, enzymes, and subcellular organelles—that may denature or aggregate under harsher acceleration conditions. Unlike high-speed or ultracentrifuges, the TDZ5 operates at ambient temperature without refrigeration, reducing energy consumption and maintenance complexity while maintaining consistent thermal stability across extended runs.

Key Features

• Robust all-steel chassis with a corrosion-resistant AISI 304 stainless steel centrifuge chamber—designed for long-term durability in high-throughput environments.
• Brushless AC frequency-controlled motor delivering precise speed regulation (±50 rpm accuracy), zero carbon dust emission, and maintenance-free operation over >20,000 hours MTBF.
• TFT true-color touchscreen interface with real-time simultaneous display of setpoints (speed, time, RCF) and dynamic operational parameters (actual rpm, elapsed time, remaining time, rotor ID).
• Intelligent rotor recognition logic integrated into the control firmware—automatically limits speed based on selected rotor configuration to prevent mechanical overloading.
• 10 programmable acceleration and deceleration profiles, enabling gentle braking for fragile pellets or rapid spin-down for workflow efficiency.
• Electromechanical motor-driven lid lock system compliant with IEC 61010-1 interlock requirements—ensuring rotor containment during operation and preventing accidental lid opening.
• Multi-stage passive damping architecture with self-centering dynamic balancing—reducing vibration transmission to lab benches and improving reproducibility across repeated runs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TDZ5 supports a broad range of standard laboratory vessels, including conical tubes (15 mL, 50 mL), universal centrifuge tubes (10 mL, 15 mL), vacuum blood collection tubes (5 mL and 2 mL), and custom-sized bottles up to 100 mL per position. Its horizontal swing-out rotor configurations accommodate both symmetrical and asymmetrical loading patterns within defined mass tolerances—enabling flexibility in batch processing without manual rebalancing. The instrument is engineered for compliance with general laboratory safety standards (IEC 61010-1), electromagnetic compatibility (IEC 61326-1), and noise emission limits (ISO 3744). While not certified for GMP manufacturing environments, its firmware supports audit-ready operation logs when used in GLP-regulated settings, including timestamped protocol execution records and rotor usage tracking.

Software & Data Management

The TDZ5 features embedded microprocessor-based control with non-volatile memory capable of storing 20 user-defined protocols—including speed, time, acceleration/deceleration ramp rates, and RCF calculation mode. Upon power-up, the unit defaults to the last executed program—a workflow optimization for repetitive assays. All parameter changes are logged internally with date/time stamps, supporting basic traceability requirements. Although no external PC connectivity (e.g., USB or Ethernet) is provided, the device includes dedicated RCF calculation keys and automatic conversion between rpm and ×g based on rotor radius input—facilitating method transfer and SOP documentation. Data export functionality is intentionally omitted to minimize cybersecurity exposure in regulated labs where air-gapped instrumentation is preferred.

Applications

• Clinical hematology: Separation of whole blood into plasma, serum, and cellular fractions using standardized vacuum tube rotors.
• Cell biology: Harvesting adherent and suspension mammalian cells at 300–500 ×g; isolating nuclei or mitochondria via differential centrifugation steps.
• Protein biochemistry: Precipitation of inclusion bodies or large protein complexes from bacterial lysates without shear-induced aggregation.
• Food and beverage QC: Clarification of juice extracts, dairy emulsions, or fermentation broths prior to HPLC or spectrophotometric analysis.
• Environmental testing: Concentration of suspended solids or microbial cells from water samples for subsequent enumeration or molecular analysis.

FAQ

What is the maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) achievable with the TDZ5?
The TDZ5 achieves a maximum RCF of 4800 ×g when using the 4 × 100 mL horizontal rotor at 5000 rpm.
Does the TDZ5 support refrigerated operation?
No—the TDZ5 is a non-refrigerated, ambient-temperature centrifuge designed for applications where thermal control is not required.
Can I use third-party rotors with this instrument?
Only Hershey-certified rotors are supported; unauthorized rotors void warranty and compromise safety interlocks.
How does the auto-balancing system function?
The system relies on precision-machined bearing assemblies and tuned elastomeric dampers that compensate for minor load imbalances (<5 g per tube) without requiring manual counterweight adjustment.
Is the TDZ5 compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
No—it lacks electronic signature capability, audit trail export, and user access controls required for Part 11 compliance; however, it meets baseline GLP data integrity expectations through internal logging.