12 × 1.5/2.0 mL Super-Speed Microcentrifuge Rotor (Z36-HK Compatible)

The Z326-1220H is a 12-position super-speed microcentrifuge rotor that, despite the "Z326" prefix in its SKU, is engineered specifically for super-speed performance on the Hermle Z36-HK chassis (Z036-HK). At 30,000 rpm / 65,395 × g when paired with the Z36-HK super-speed chassis, this rotor reaches the highest RCF in the Hermle benchtop line for microtube workflows. The 40° angle and 6.5 cm max radius are engineered around the Z36-HK chassis's high-RCF performance envelope. Naming-convention note: the Z326-prefix indicates cross-chassis-compatible rotor design (the rotor will mount and run on Z326 chassis at lower chassis-rated RCF caps), but the spec stated here applies specifically to the Z36-HK pairing where the rotor reaches its maximum.

Key Specifications

Compatibility & Configuration

Chassis compatibility — Z36-HK for full spec. The Z326-1220H reaches its 30,000 rpm / 65,395 × g specification when paired with the Z036-HK (Z36-HK) super-speed refrigerated centrifuge. On other chassis in the Hermle line (Z326, Z32-HK), the rotor mounts physically but the chassis's RFID rotor-identification will apply the chassis's lower rotor-rated RCF cap automatically — operators can't accidentally over-spin on a slower chassis.

Naming-convention note. The Z326-prefix in "Z326-1220H" reflects Hermle's accessory-table convention of grouping cross-chassis-compatible rotors under the original Z326 catalog naming. The rotor is most commonly purchased as a Z36-HK accessory; check this rotor's chassis pairing on the quote line if your lab has multiple chassis types.

High-RCF adapter requirement. The brochure specifies that the Z36-20-HS adapter is "necessary from 16,000 × g on" — meaning the 1.5 mL tubes need this dedicated adapter for the full RCF range. Without it, operating above 16,000 × g may not deliver the full 65,395 × g spec safely. This is a hard requirement, not optional.

Smaller-volume adapter kits (sold separately):

• Z36-04-HS — 0.4 mL tube adapter kit (6 pieces) for ø 6 × 50 mm tubes
• Z36-05-HS — 0.5 mL tube adapter kit (6 pieces) for ø 8 × 32 mm tubes

Application Profile

Ribosomal-subunit and organelle isolation. 65,395 × g is in the range required for ribosomal-subunit pelleting (40S / 60S separation), microsomal-fraction isolation, and similar high-RCF preparative workflows. Where typical benchtop microcentrifuges top out at 17,000–24,000 × g, this rotor on the Z36-HK delivers ultracentrifuge-class RCF for preparative-scale microtube samples.

Virus and exosome pelleting at preparative scale. Differential centrifugation steps for exosome isolation (typically 10,000 × g, 20,000 × g, 100,000 × g sequential pelleting) — the Z326-1220H + Z36-HK combination handles the 10K / 20K steps directly and approaches the 100K range.

Membrane-vesicle and microsome preparation. Subcellular-fractionation protocols requiring sequential pelleting at increasing g-force; the high RCF ceiling avoids the need to walk samples to a separate ultracentrifuge for the high-RCF cuts.

High-RCF post-lysis clarification. Removing fine particulate and membrane debris from cleared lysates often requires 30,000–50,000 × g; the Z326-1220H exceeds this with margin.

Cold-chain super-speed work. Z36-HK's chassis refrigeration combined with this rotor's high RCF supports preparative-scale workflows where both temperature control and ultracentrifuge-class RCF matter.

Loading & Balance

12-tube symmetric loading. Opposite-pair distribution (positions 1+7, 2+8, etc.); pre-balance pairs by weight before insertion. At 30,000 rpm, balance precision matters significantly more than at lower-RCF rotor classes — even small mass imbalances translate to substantial inertial asymmetry at this speed.

Adapter requirement above 16,000 × g. The Z36-20-HS adapter is mandatory when running above 16,000 × g per the brochure spec — confirm the adapter is installed before high-RCF protocols.

Chassis-rotor pairing verification. Before installation, confirm that the chassis paired with this rotor is the Z36-HK if the workflow needs the full 65,395 × g spec. On other chassis (Z326, Z32-HK), the achievable RCF will be capped at the chassis's rotor-rated maximum.

Ordering & Configuration

Z326-1220H ships as the rotor body alone. Adapters (Z36-20-HS for high-RCF 1.5 mL operation, Z36-04-HS / Z36-05-HS for smaller-volume tube formats) are sold separately.

Required for full-spec operation:

• Z036-HK (Z36-HK) chassis
• Z36-20-HS adapter for 1.5 mL operation above 16,000 × g

Confirm at quote: chassis pairing (Z36-HK for full spec; Z326 / Z32-HK for chassis-capped lower RCF), Z36-20-HS adapter inclusion (required for high-RCF protocols), smaller-volume adapter kits if needed, training (one-day on-site typical for first-time super-speed rotor commissioning), and lead time.

Warranty: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain) on the rotor body. Includes balance validation through the Hermle service network — recommended at install plus annually for high-RCF rotors where small balance excursions can cause significant damage.

Super-speed rotor selection on Z36-HK: the Z326-1220H (this product, 12 × 1.5/2.0 mL at 65,395 × g) is the Z36-HK super-speed pick for preparative-scale microtube work. For higher RCF on smaller tube formats, see other Z36-HK accessory rotors. For 24-position throughput at lower RCF on Z32-HK chassis, see the Z326-2420H (24 × 1.5/2.0 mL hermetically sealed at 38,007 × g).