HEXI 7116R Benchtop High-Speed Refrigerated Microcentrifuge

Overview

The HEXI 7116R is a compact, high-performance benchtop refrigerated microcentrifuge engineered for precision separation of biological macromolecules and subcellular particles under controlled thermal conditions. Utilizing brushless frequency-controlled motor technology and active refrigeration with Peltier cooling elements, the instrument maintains temperature stability within ±1 °C across its operational range (–20 °C to +40 °C), critical for preserving labile nucleic acid and protein integrity during high-speed sedimentation. Its rotor architecture follows ISO 15197-compliant angular geometry optimized for rapid pelleting of small-volume samples—particularly suited for applications requiring consistent recovery of DNA, RNA, viral particles, and membrane-bound organelles from volumes as low as 10 µL up to 2.0 mL per tube. With a maximum rotational speed of 16,500 rpm and corresponding RCF of 22,500 × g, the 7116R delivers performance comparable to mid-tier clinical-grade centrifuges while occupying minimal bench space—measuring just 650 mm wide, 350 mm deep, and 325 mm tall.

Key Features

• Compact footprint design: Among the smallest high-speed refrigerated microcentrifuges available globally, enabling deployment in biosafety cabinets, cleanrooms, or shared core facilities with spatial constraints.
• Intelligent 7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface: Supports multi-point gesture navigation, real-time parameter monitoring (speed, time, temperature, RCF), and customizable protocol recall for GLP-compliant workflows.
• Peltier-based refrigeration system: Achieves rapid pre-cooling (<15 min from ambient to –20 °C) and maintains thermal uniformity across all rotor positions, validated per ISO 20612 Annex B protocols.
• Fixed-angle rotor configuration (24-position, dual 2.0 mL pockets): Compatible with standard PCR strip tubes (8-tube format), individual 0.2–2.0 mL microtubes, and capped conical tubes—no adapter required for common molecular biology consumables.
• Dynamic imbalance detection and auto-shutdown: Monitors vibration signatures in real time using piezoelectric sensors; halts operation if mass asymmetry exceeds 0.5 g per tube pair, meeting IEC 61000-6-2 electromagnetic compatibility standards.
• Acoustic noise reduction: Optimized airflow ducting and rotor balancing reduce operational sound pressure to ≤58 dB(A) at 1 m distance—suitable for open-lab environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HEXI 7116R accommodates standard polypropylene and polyethylene microcentrifuge tubes (0.2–2.0 mL), including skirted and non-skirted PCR strips, filter-bottom spin columns, and low-retention tubes. It supports routine use in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing laboratories and complies with key regulatory frameworks governing biomedical instrumentation: EN 61010-1 (safety), EN 61326-1 (EMC), and ISO 13485:2016 (medical device quality management). While not FDA-cleared as a diagnostic device, its performance parameters align with ASTM E2919-21 guidelines for centrifuge validation in nucleic acid extraction processes. All rotor assemblies are certified to ISO 15197:2021 mechanical stress limits and include traceable serial-number engraving for audit readiness.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware enables full protocol logging—including start/stop timestamps, actual vs. setpoint temperature curves, rotor ID verification, and cumulative run-hour tracking. Audit trails meet ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) and support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when integrated with validated LIMS or ELN systems via optional RS-232/USB-C data export. No proprietary cloud platform is required; raw log files export in CSV and PDF formats with digital signature capability upon user authentication.

Applications

• Routine nucleic acid purification: Rapid pelleting of silica-membrane columns and magnetic beads in automated or manual extraction workflows.
• Protein fractionation: Separation of soluble vs. insoluble fractions post-lysis, including inclusion body recovery and antibody precipitation.
• Virology sample prep: Concentration of lentiviral, AAV, and influenza particles from cell culture supernatants prior to titer determination.
• Clinical specimen processing: Hematocrit-independent plasma isolation from capillary blood tubes and urine sedimentation for urinalysis.
• Environmental microbiology: Recovery of bacterial cells and extracellular vesicles from filtered water samples.
• Single-cell omics workflows: Pre-spin conditioning of nuclei suspensions prior to ATAC-seq or snRNA-seq library preparation.

FAQ

What is the minimum sample volume compatible with the 7116R’s fixed-angle rotor?
The rotor accepts tubes down to 0.2 mL capacity; however, optimal pelleting efficiency for viscous or low-density samples begins at ≥100 µL due to meniscus geometry and sedimentation path length.
Can the instrument maintain –20 °C when operating continuously at maximum speed?
Yes—the refrigeration system is rated for sustained operation at 16,500 rpm and –20 °C ambient load, verified across 8-hour continuous runs per ISO 20612 thermal endurance testing.
Is rotor calibration traceable to national standards?
Each rotor ships with a factory-issued calibration certificate referencing NIST-traceable torque and rotational speed measurements, valid for 24 months or 500 cycles—whichever occurs first.
Does the touchscreen support multi-user login with role-based access control?
Yes: Up to 16 user profiles can be configured with tiered permissions (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator), including password complexity enforcement and forced periodic credential renewal.
Are third-party rotors or adapters supported?
No—only HEXI-certified rotors are approved for use. Non-OEM components void safety certification and invalidate warranty coverage per EN 61010-1 Clause 7.3.2.