The Z167-M is a compact microcentrifuge that ships with its 18 × 1.5/2.0 mL fixed-angle rotor included — distinguishing it from most Hermle Z-series instruments where the rotor is ordered separately. The Z167 chassis is engineered around the 18-position microtube format; combined with a 14,000 rpm / 15,994 × g performance ceiling, it covers the routine molecular-biology miniprep, protein-precipitation, and microtube-pelleting workflows that fill most academic-research and clinical-research benches. The Z167-M's distinctive UI feature is a color-changing LED status indicator that signals operating state from a distance — running, standby, or sleep mode — useful in shared-bench environments where operators are tracking multiple instrument cycles simultaneously.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| Max. speed | 14,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF | 15,994 × g |
| Capacity | 18 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes (in included rotor) |
| Speed range | 200 – 14,000 rpm |
| Running time | 10 s to 59 min 50 s (10 s increments); 1 min to 99 h 59 min (1 min increments); momentary spin |
| Acceleration / deceleration | Within 14 sec / 16 sec respectively |
| Speed display | rpm or RCF, increments of 10 |
| Program memory | 99 saved runs (including rotor type) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 11 in × 9.5 in × 13.7 in (28 × 24 × 35 cm) |
| Weight | 26.5 lb (12 kg) |
| Power input | 130 W |
| Power supply | 120 V / 50 – 60 Hz |
| Noise level | < 57 dBA at max. speed |
| Cooling | Air-cooling system |
| Status indicator | Color-changing LED (running / standby / sleep mode visible from a distance) |
| Safety standards | IEC 61010 |
| Included rotor (per brochure) | 18 × 1.5/2.0 mL fixed angle, Acceleration 14 / 122 sec, Deceleration 16 / 140 sec, Max RCF 15,994 × g |
Application Profile
Nucleic-acid miniprep and column purification. The 14,000 rpm ceiling covers the "maximum speed" spec specified by every common spin-column protocol (Qiagen, Zymo, NEB, Promega). 18-position throughput handles the typical lab batch size for plasmid prep, gel extraction, and PCR cleanup workflows.
Protein precipitation and pellet recovery. 15,994 × g is sufficient for TCA, acetone, and ammonium-sulfate precipitations of soluble protein fractions, plus post-lysis debris pelleting in the 13,000–16,000 × g range.
Routine molecular-biology bench work. RNA precipitation, post-extraction sample concentration, and other 1.5/2.0 mL workflows that dominate the molecular-biology bench.
Method development. 99-slot program memory plus 10 selectable accel/decel rates support protocol development where separation gradients, pellet characteristics, or pelleting time are being tuned.
Multi-user shared environments. Color-changing LED status indicator lets the next user see at a glance whether the instrument is running, on standby, or in sleep mode — without walking up to it. Useful in busy shared cores.
Educational labs. EZ-Scroll touchpad and gloves-friendly programming match teaching workflows where students rotate through the instrument.
Design Architecture
Maintenance-free induction motor. No brush wear; the powerful induction drive achieves 15,994 × g without thermal stress. Designed for daily institutional duty.
Color-changing LED status indicator — the distinctive Z167-M UI feature. From across the lab, the operator can see whether the instrument is running (one color), on standby (another), or in sleep mode (a third) — a workflow-management feature that matters in busy shared cores.
EZ-Scroll capacitive touchpad for splash-proof, gloves-friendly programming.
Electromagnetic lid-lock with quick access to samples. Lid cannot unlock during a run; the lid-release mechanism is engineered for fast post-cycle sample access.
Active imbalance identification with cut-off. Asymmetric loading or mid-spin failure triggers automatic shutdown.
Quick accel/decel within 14 / 16 seconds. Short cycle-to-cycle turnaround for repeat-run workflows.
10 acceleration and 10 deceleration rates including unbraked deceleration.
Sleep mode for energy savings between use periods.
Easy rotor removal without tools — single-spindle wing-nut lift-off; rotor changes between protocols take under a minute.
Air-cooling system keeps sample chamber near ambient during typical 1–10 minute spin cycles.
Quiet operation — < 57 dBA at max. speed, lower than typical microcentrifuge noise levels in this RCF class.
99-slot program memory with rotor type stored per program.
Ordering & Configuration
Included: Z167-M body with the 18 × 1.5/2.0 mL fixed-angle rotor pre-installed (the "incl. 18 x 1.5/2.0 ml Rotor" designation per the brochure ordering information), operator's manual, power cord. Tube adapters for 0.5 mL or 0.2 mL PCR-strip formats are sold separately as Z167-series accessories.
Voltage variants: 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
Step-up within the Hermle line:
- Z207-M / -E — Compact Microcentrifuge in the larger Z207 chassis with 24 × 1.5/2.0 mL rotor and 13,500 rpm / 17,317 × g — higher RCF and higher position count, slightly different chassis form factor
- Z216-M / -E — Higher-position-count microcentrifuge (up to 30 × microtubes per cycle) in the Z216 chassis at 15,000 rpm
Refrigerated alternative:
- Z216-MK / -E — Refrigerated microcentrifuge in the Z216 chassis when sample-temperature control is required
Warranty & service: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain). Rotor validation, balance checks, and North American service through the Benchmark / Hermle distributor network.
Confirm voltage, additional tube-format adapters if needed, training, and lead time at quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum speed and RCF of the Z167-M? 14,000 rpm / 15,994 × g.
Does the Z167-M come with a rotor? Yes — unlike most Hermle benchtops, it ships with its 18 × 1.5/2.0 mL fixed-angle rotor pre-installed.
What is the color-changing LED indicator for? It signals the instrument's operating state — running, standby, or sleep — visibly from a distance, useful on shared benches where operators track several instruments at once.
What tube formats does the Z167-M accept? 18 × 1.5/2.0 mL microtubes in the included rotor; 0.5 mL and 0.2 mL PCR-strip adapters are sold separately as Z167-series accessories.
What voltage does the Z167-M require? 120 V / 50–60 Hz standard; a 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
