The Z326-15-A20 is a microtube adapter that drops into the 15 mL tube position on multiple Hermle 15 mL angle rotors — converting a 15 mL workflow position into a 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtube position without rotor swap. Sold as a 6-pack (matches typical 6-position 15 mL rotor configurations). The Z326-15 prefix indicates the adapter is part of the Z326-family 15 mL adapter library, but the actual chassis compatibility is broader: the same adapter geometry serves the 15 mL position on Z207-A rotors, Z287-A rotors (Z287-0815 and similar), and Z326 rotors (Z326-1050 10 × 50 mL angle rotor and others) per the Hermle adapter cross-reference.
Key Specifications
| SKU | Z326-15-A20 |
| Type | Tube adapter — 15 mL position → 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtube |
| Pack quantity | 6 adapters per SKU |
| Tube format accepted | 1 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL standard microtube (11 mm OD, 42 mm length) |
| Compatible 15 mL positions | Z207-A 15 mL rotors, Z287-A 15 mL rotors (e.g., Z287-0815, Z287-1215), Z326-1050 (10 × 50 mL angle with 15 mL via this adapter), and other Hermle 15 mL angle rotor positions per the adapter cross-reference |
| Compatible chassis | Multiple — Z207, Z287, Z326 family chassis, depending on the host rotor |
| Max. operating speed (with adapter + microtube) | Per host rotor spec — varies by chassis pairing |
| List price | $181 (6-pack) |
Compatibility & When to Order This SKU
Cross-chassis adapter — order quantity matches host rotor. The 6-pack quantity matches typical 6-position 15 mL rotor configurations. For 8-position (Z287-0815), 10-position (Z326-1050), or 12-position (Z287-1215, Z206-1215) host rotors, order multiple packs to match the rotor's position count.
Order this SKU when:
- Adding microtube workflow capability to a 15 mL angle rotor on any compatible Hermle chassis — when the workflow benefits from running 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes alongside (or instead of) 15 mL tubes on the same rotor.
- Mixed-format runs — when some positions need 15 mL tubes and others need 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes within the same cycle (with adapter symmetry preserved across paired positions).
- Replacement adapters if a current set is damaged or worn.
Why This Adapter Matters
Most Hermle chassis families have dedicated microtube rotors (high-RCF fixed-angle 24 / 18 / 30 microtube rotors). When the workflow primarily runs 15 mL tubes but occasional microtube prep is needed, the Z326-15-A20 adapter is the cheaper alternative to swapping rotors — keep the 15 mL rotor installed and run microtubes via adapters in spare positions.
The trade-off vs dedicated microtube rotors: adapter use means lower per-cycle microtube throughput (typically 6–12 microtubes vs the 24–30 of a dedicated rotor) and the host rotor's RCF ceiling (typically 4,000–8,000 × g for 15 mL rotors vs >15,000 × g for dedicated microtube rotors). Pick the adapter when occasional microtube use justifies the lower-throughput and lower-RCF compromise; pick a dedicated microtube rotor when microtube workflows are routine.
Application Profile
Occasional microtube prep on a 15 mL workhorse chassis — when the lab's primary 15 mL workflow on a Z207-A, Z287-A, or Z326 chassis includes occasional microtube prep and a dedicated microtube rotor isn't justified.
Mixed-format extraction-prep workflows — DNA / RNA extraction protocols that batch 15 mL primary samples in one rotor position and 1.5 / 2.0 mL extraction-step aliquots in adjacent positions via adapters.
Educational and teaching labs — undergraduate biology and biochemistry teaching where mixed 15 mL and microtube formats appear in the same teaching exercise.
Cross-chassis core-facility consolidation — shared cores running mixed-chassis fleets (Z207, Z287, Z326) can stock a single Z326-15-A20 adapter SKU that serves any 15 mL angle rotor across the fleet.
Pediatric and small-volume aliquot prep — when 15 mL collection tubes have been primary and the workflow needs a brief microtube spin step for downstream prep.
Ordering & Configuration
Symmetric adapter loading. Pair adapter positions across the rotor by tube mass; all positions in a balanced pair must use matching adapter + tube format combinations. Mixed adapter / non-adapter loading produces mass asymmetry.
Adapter seat verification. Per Hermle service instructions, confirm each adapter is fully seated in its 15 mL position before loading the microtube.
Tube cap confirmation. All microtubes must be securely capped before spinning at the host rotor's max RPM.
Z326-15-A20 ships as 6 adapters. Microtubes are operator-supplied (commodity 1.5 / 2.0 mL Reaktion-style formats from major commercial suppliers).
Confirm at quote: host rotor (which 15 mL angle rotor will use the adapter), chassis pairing (Z207, Z287, Z326 family), pack count needed for the host rotor's position count (1 pack = 6 adapters for 6-position rotors; multiple packs for higher-position rotors), and lead time.
Warranty: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain) on the adapters.
Z326-15 adapter family — cross-chassis 15 mL position adapters:
- Z326-15-A20 (this product) — 1 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtube
- Z326-15-A5 — 1 × 5 mL tube
- Z326-15-A7 — 1 × 7 mL tube
Match the adapter to the workflow's smaller-tube format. All three adapters share the 15 mL position envelope and are cross-chassis compatible across Hermle 15 mL angle rotors.
