The Z216-2420S is the mixed-format COMBI-Rotor for the Hermle Z216 chassis family — a single rotor body that holds 24 × 1.5/2.0 mL microtubes plus 4 × 8-PCR strips simultaneously in defined positions, with a Quick-Lock lid mechanism for fast hermetic-seal engagement. This is the right rotor when the workflow needs both microtube and PCR-strip formats on the same cycle (PCR setup-then-cleanup workflows, mixed-format method development, multi-step molecular-biology protocols where samples cycle between formats). Saves the rotor-swap step that would otherwise be required between protocol stages, and provides hermetic sealing for biosafety or volatile-content samples.
Key Specifications
| SKU | Z216-2420S |
| Type | COMBI-Rotor — fixed-angle, mixed-format |
| Capacity | 24 × 1.5/2.0 mL microtubes + 4 × 8-PCR strips simultaneously |
| Compatible chassis | Z216 family (Z216-M / Z216-MK / -E variants) |
| Angle | 45° |
| Max. RCF | 21,379 × g |
| Hermetic sealing | Quick-Lock lid mechanism — fast lid engagement with hermetic seal |
| Lid type | Quick-Lock for rapid open/close cycle between protocol steps |
Compatibility & Configuration
Chassis compatibility — Z216 family only. The Z216-2420S fits the Z216-M, Z216-MK (refrigerated), and their -E voltage variants. Not interchangeable with Z167-M, Z207-M, Z287-A, Z326, or Z32-HK chassis — those use different rotor-body geometries.
RFID-tagged. The chassis reads the rotor's RFID at insertion and applies the rotor-rated speed cap automatically.
24 microtube + 4 PCR-strip combined layout. The rotor body has 24 dedicated microtube positions (1.5 / 2.0 mL, 11 mm OD direct fit) plus 4 dedicated PCR-strip positions (each holding an 8-tube PCR strip). The combined throughput per cycle is 24 microtubes + 32 PCR-tube wells = 56 sample positions in one cycle.
Quick-Lock lid mechanism. Distinct from the standard threaded-lid configuration — Quick-Lock uses a quarter-turn or lever-engagement to seal the rotor. Reduces lid-attach time vs threaded lids for workflows that open and close the rotor between protocol steps. Hermetic seal is maintained when locked; biosafety-spec for BSL-2 + microtube workflows.
Application Profile
Multi-step molecular-biology workflows that span microtube and PCR-strip formats. Example: extract DNA into 1.5 mL microtubes (positions 1–24), then immediately set up PCR in strip format (positions 25–28 across 4 strips of 8) — both spinning steps run on the same rotor in sequence without rotor swap.
PCR cleanup + setup combined cycle. When the workflow includes both PCR-product cleanup (1.5 mL microtube via spin column) and downstream PCR setup (PCR strips), the COMBI rotor handles both formats in adjacent cycles.
Mixed-format method development. When characterizing a new workflow that uses both formats, the COMBI rotor isolates rotor-vs-format variables — both formats spin under identical chassis conditions.
Biosafety microtube + PCR-strip workflows. The hermetic Quick-Lock seal supports BSL-2 + workflows where aerosol containment is required across both tube formats. Useful for clinical-research workflows handling potentially infectious patient samples that move between extraction (microtube) and amplification (PCR strip) without leaving the biosafety cabinet.
Biobanking aliquot prep with PCR QC. Aliquot samples into 1.5 mL microtubes for cryostorage while running QC PCR on strip-format aliquots in the same cycle — common in research-biobank prep workflows.
Loading & Balance
Mixed-format symmetric loading. Microtube positions and PCR-strip positions have different masses; symmetric loading requires balancing position-by-position by total mass (sample + tube + adapter where applicable). Pre-balance pairs by mass before insertion.
Quick-Lock engagement. Per Hermle service instructions, the Quick-Lock lid must be fully engaged before each spin — partial engagement may not maintain hermetic seal at the rotor's 21,379 × g maximum.
Adapter availability. Smaller microtube formats (0.5 mL, 0.2 mL) may be supported via dedicated adapters in the Z216 catalog — confirm compatibility at order if smaller-volume workflow share is part of the protocol.
Ordering & Configuration
Z216-2420S ships as the rotor body + Quick-Lock lid. Adapters for smaller-volume tube formats are sold separately if needed.
Confirm at quote: chassis pairing (Z216-M, Z216-MK, or -E variants), workflow format mix (confirms COMBI rotor is the right pick vs single-format rotors at higher per-cycle throughput in their respective formats), training on Quick-Lock lid procedures, and lead time.
Warranty: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain) on the rotor body and Quick-Lock lid. Hermetic-seal interface is a planned-inspection item for biosafety workflows.
Z216-2420S vs single-format Z216 rotors: the COMBI rotor (this product) is the right pick when the workflow uses both microtube and PCR-strip formats and per-cycle throughput in either format alone isn't the constraint. For higher throughput in microtube-only workflows, see Z216-2420 or Z216-4420 (44 × 1.5/2 mL high-throughput). For dedicated PCR-strip-only work, see Z216-3202 (4 × 8 PCR strips). The COMBI's value is workflow-flexibility, not per-format throughput.
