The Z326-3202 is the dedicated 4 × 8 PCR Strips angle rotor for the Hermle Z326 / Z32-HK family — engineered specifically for the 8-tube PCR strip format that dominates routine PCR setup, qPCR plate prep, and PCR cleanup workflows. The rotor holds 4 PCR strips per cycle = 32 PCR-tube wells per cycle, enough to spin a complete 96-well-plate-equivalent batch in 3 cycles. At 15,000 rpm / 15,343 × g, the rotor delivers high-RCF pelleting for PCR-cleanup column workflows that specify maximum-speed elution. The 45° angle and 6.1 cm max radius are tuned to the small-volume PCR-strip format's inertial profile.
Key Specifications
| SKU | Z326-3202 |
| Type | Fixed-angle rotor — 4 × 8 PCR Strips |
| Capacity | 4 × 8-tube PCR strips = 32 PCR-tube wells per cycle |
| Tube format | 0.2 mL PCR tubes in 8-strip configuration |
| Compatible chassis | Z326 family + cross-compatible Z32-HK per shared accessory catalog |
| Angle | 45° |
| Max. operating speed | 15,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF at operating speed | 15,343 × g |
| Max. radius | 6.1 cm |
| Max. tube ø | 6 mm |
| Acceleration | 16 / 130 sec (standard / extended profile) |
| Deceleration | 12 / 130 sec (standard / extended-unbraked) |
| Temperature at max. speed (refrigerated chassis) | −5 °C |
Compatibility & Configuration
Chassis compatibility — Z326 family + cross-compatible Z32-HK per the shared Hermle accessory catalog. RFID-tagged; chassis applies the rotor's rated 15,000 rpm cap automatically at insertion.
4 × 8 PCR-strip layout. The rotor body has 4 dedicated strip positions arranged radially. Each position holds one standard 8-tube PCR strip (the dominant 0.2 mL PCR-tube format). Total per-cycle capacity is 4 strips × 8 wells = 32 PCR tubes.
0.2 mL PCR tube fit. Standard 0.2 mL PCR tubes (6 mm OD per the rotor's max ø spec) fit directly. Includes the standard PCR-strip tube formats from major suppliers (Applied Biosystems, Eppendorf, Bio-Rad, NEB, etc.) as long as they conform to the 8-tube standard PCR-strip geometry.
Strip-cap considerations. PCR strips with attached caps (vs separate cap-strip) are the standard configuration. Confirm cap engagement before each spin to prevent sample loss during high-RCF pelleting.
Application Profile
PCR setup pelleting. Quick spin-down of PCR-master-mix and template at the start of PCR setup — gets reagents to the well bottom for accurate pipetting and prevents droplet hangup during cycler temperature transitions.
PCR cleanup workflows. Spin-column based PCR cleanup (Qiagen, Zymo, NEB Monarch) typically specifies maximum-speed centrifugation for elution; the Z326-3202 at 15,343 × g covers the spec.
qPCR plate-equivalent prep. When a 96-well-plate-equivalent qPCR batch is set up in PCR-strip format (3 cycles × 32 strips = 96 reactions), the dedicated strip rotor handles the centrifugation step efficiently.
NGS library-prep PCR steps. Adapter ligation, indexing PCR, and library-amplification steps in NGS workflows often run in PCR-strip format; the Z326-3202 covers the spin-down steps.
Multiplex PCR cleanup. Workflows that batch multiple PCR products through the same cleanup protocol benefit from 32-tube-per-cycle parallel processing in dedicated strip format.
Cold-chain qPCR prep on refrigerated chassis — when paired with Z326-K or Z032-HK, the rotor's −5 °C temperature-at-max-speed spec supports cold-chain template handling.
Loading & Balance
4-strip symmetric loading. Opposite-strip pairs (1+3, 2+4); pre-balance pairs by mass (sample + tube + cap) before insertion. PCR strips are lightweight individually, but mass differences across strips with different sample volumes can produce balance issues at 15,000 rpm.
Strip integrity check. Confirm strip caps are fully engaged and PCR tubes are intact before each spin — at 15,343 × g, a missing or loose cap will cause sample loss and potentially cross-contamination across the rotor.
Selectable accel/decel. Chassis's profiles apply. The fast accel / fast decel timing (16 sec / 12 sec) supports quick cycle-to-cycle turnover for batch PCR-prep workflows.
Temperature considerations. When using the refrigerated chassis variant, the rotor reaches −5 °C at max speed — useful for cold-stable enzyme handling but operators should confirm that PCR reagents tolerate this temperature without precipitating (most master mixes are formulated for 4 °C handling but are stable at lower temps for short durations).
Ordering & Configuration
Z326-3202 ships as the rotor body alone. PCR strips and any specialty PCR-tube formats are operator-supplied consumables.
Confirm at quote: chassis pairing (Z326 family or Z032-HK), training, and lead time. PCR strip format compatibility is the primary verification — confirm your standard PCR-strip geometry (8-tube standard format, 6 mm OD) against the rotor specification.
Warranty: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain) on the rotor body. Includes balance validation through the Hermle service network.
Dedicated PCR-strip rotor vs COMBI rotor selection: the Z326-3202 (this product, 4 × 8 PCR strips dedicated) is the throughput pick when PCR-strip work is the dominant workflow and per-cycle PCR throughput matters. For mixed-format workflows that combine microtubes and PCR strips on the same chassis, the Z216-2420S COMBI rotor (24 microtubes + 4 PCR strips simultaneously) trades dedicated-strip throughput for format flexibility. Pick based on whether per-cycle PCR throughput or mixed-format flexibility drives the workflow.
