Hexion TL5R Benchtop Low-Speed Refrigerated Centrifuge

Overview

The Hexion TL5R is a floor-standing, low-speed refrigerated centrifuge engineered for routine separation tasks in clinical diagnostics, biobanking, blood banking, and general life science laboratories. It operates on the principle of sedimentation under controlled gravitational force (RCF), enabling efficient pelleting of cells, organelles, precipitates, and macromolecular complexes from large-volume samples. Designed for stability and reproducibility at speeds up to 5500 rpm (max RCF 4800 × g), the TL5R delivers consistent performance across high-capacity horizontal rotor configurations—supporting up to four 750 mL bottles per run. Its integrated refrigeration system maintains precise temperature control between −20 °C and +40 °C during operation, including real-time setpoint adjustment, pre-cooling, standby cooling, and automatic defrost functionality—critical for preserving thermolabile analytes such as plasma proteins, exosomes, or RNA-binding complexes.

Key Features

• Brushless AC motor driven by an EnMicro microcontroller and Infineon power module, ensuring low-noise (<65 dB[A] at 5500 rpm), high-torque performance and extended service life.
• Environmentally compliant cooling system using R404a refrigerant and a sealed, non-CFC compressor—meeting global ozone-depletion and GWP regulatory expectations.
• TFT-LCD full-color display with dual-input interface (capacitive touchscreen + tactile keys); dedicated RCF key for instant unit conversion; simultaneous display of setpoints and real-time parameters (speed, time, temperature, RCF, remaining time).
• Programmable acceleration and deceleration profiles (10 steps each) minimize sample resuspension and tube stress—especially critical for fragile pellets or density-gradient separations.
• Biocontainment-certified angular and horizontal rotors featuring RoHS-compliant silicone rubber sealing rings (EU Directive 2015/863), validated to prevent aerosol leakage during high-speed operation.
• Triple-layer mechanical protection: austenitic 304 stainless steel centrifuge chamber, electrostatically coated steel chassis, and reinforced front panel with impact-resistant polymer overlay.
• Electromechanical door lock with silent engagement—self-actuating upon lid closure and automatically releasing after rotor stop and cooldown confirmation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TL5R accommodates standard laboratory vessels including polypropylene and polycarbonate centrifuge bottles (up to 750 mL), conical tubes (15–50 mL), and blood collection tubes (e.g., EDTA, heparin, serum separator). Horizontal rotors support swing-out configurations ideal for soft pelleting of mammalian cells, platelets, or whole blood fractions. All rotors are balanced per ISO 15887:2016 and certified for continuous operation under load. The instrument meets IEC 61010-1:2010 safety requirements for laboratory equipment and carries CE marking. Regulatory documentation includes CFDA registration (Class II medical device), ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification, and ISO 13485:2016 medical device manufacturing accreditation—ensuring traceability, design control, and production consistency aligned with GLP and pre-clinical QA workflows.

Software & Data Management

While the TL5R does not feature networked software or remote PC control, its embedded firmware supports full audit trail capability for all user-initiated actions—including parameter changes mid-run, program recalls, and alarm events. Each of the 20 user-defined protocols stores speed, time, temperature, acceleration/deceleration rate, and rotor ID. All operational logs—including start/stop timestamps, maximum RCF achieved, and thermal deviation alerts—are retained in non-volatile memory for internal review. Firmware updates are performed via USB interface, with version history and checksum validation to satisfy basic FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity prerequisites where local policy mandates electronic record retention.

Applications

• Clinical hematology: separation of plasma, buffy coat, and packed red blood cells from whole blood (e.g., for transfusion preparation or flow cytometry).
• Biobanking: long-term storage preparation of serum, plasma, PBMCs, and extracellular vesicles under temperature-stabilized conditions.
• Pharmaceutical QC: clarification of fermentation broths, suspension-based vaccine formulations, and protein precipitation steps prior to HPLC analysis.
• Food & environmental testing: sedimentation of suspended solids in water samples, milk fat standardization, and microbial pellet recovery.
• Educational labs: safe, robust platform for teaching centrifugation fundamentals, density gradient techniques, and cold-sample handling protocols.

FAQ

What is the maximum relative centrifugal force (RCF) achievable with the TL5R?
The TL5R achieves a maximum RCF of 4800 × g when operated at 5500 rpm with the standard 4 × 750 mL horizontal rotor.
Can temperature be adjusted while the centrifuge is running?
Yes—the instrument allows dynamic temperature setpoint modification during active runs without interruption.
Does the TL5R support rotor recognition or automatic imbalance detection?
It features real-time imbalance sensing with automatic shutdown, but does not include RFID or barcode-based rotor identification.
Is the refrigeration system compatible with green chemistry lab standards?
Yes—the R404a refrigerant complies with current international environmental directives and contains zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP = 0).
What certifications validate the TL5R’s suitability for regulated medical device environments?
The unit holds CFDA Class II registration, ISO 13485:2016 manufacturing certification, and ISO 9001:2015 quality system accreditation—supporting use in GMP-aligned facilities and diagnostic service labs.