The Z216-MK is the refrigerated sibling of the Z216-M: same 15,000 rpm / 21,379 × g performance ceiling, same 24-position fixed-angle rotor catalog, with on-board CFC-free refrigeration that holds the rotor chamber from −20 °C to +40 °C. This is the Hermle workhorse for sample-temperature-sensitive workflows — RNA isolation, kinetic enzyme assays, live-cell separations, ATP / NAD-dependent biochemistry — in labs that also need the throughput of a 24-tube microcentrifuge. Made in Germany, distributed under Benchmark, designed for daily multi-user core-facility duty.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| Max. speed | 15,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF | 21,379 × g |
| Temperature range | −20 °C to +40 °C (1 °C increments, °C or °F selectable) |
| Refrigeration | CFC-free; pre-cooling program; standstill cooling |
| Capacity | Up to 30 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes (rotor-dependent); 4 × 50 mL conical (high-volume rotor) |
| Speed range | 200 – 15,000 rpm |
| Running time | 10 s to 59 min 50 s (10 s increments); 1 min to 99 h 59 min (1 min increments); continuous |
| Program memory | 99 saved runs (including rotor type and temperature) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 11 in × 10.2 in × 14.6 in (28 × 26 × 37 cm) |
| Shipping weight | 90 lb (41 kg) |
| Power supply | 120 V / 50 – 60 Hz |
| Noise level | < 60 dBA at max. speed |
| Safety standards | IEC 61010 |
Application Profile
RNA isolation and stabilization. RNase-active workflows require chilled separations to suppress degradation; the Z216-MK's pre-cooling program brings the chamber to set-point before sample insertion, and standstill cooling holds the temperature between cycles.
Kinetic enzyme assays. Time-course pelleting of enzymatic-reaction mixtures requires consistent low-temperature separation between sampling intervals. The Z216-MK's 1 °C-increment selection and stable hold support this directly.
Live-cell and primary-tissue work. Mammalian primary cells and freshly dissociated tissue suspensions tolerate centrifugation poorly at ambient; chilling preserves viability across wash steps.
Protein-stability separations. Cold-sensitive proteins (kinases, certain receptors, some structural proteins) benefit from low-temperature precipitation and pelleting at the same throughput as the Z216-M's room-temperature work.
ATP / NAD / cofactor biochemistry. Reactions that depend on small thermolabile cofactors degrade quickly at ambient post-quench; chilled centrifugation slows secondary loss during cleanup.
Design Architecture
CFC-free refrigeration system. Set-point control from −20 °C to +40 °C in 1 °C increments. Pre-cooling program brings the chamber to temperature before run start. Standstill cooling maintains set-point between runs without re-pulling refrigeration on each cycle.
RFID rotor identification. Rotor identity is read at insertion; the drive caps speed at the rotor's rated maximum and adjusts the imbalance threshold to that rotor's specification.
Active imbalance identification with rotor-specific cut-off. Asymmetric loading or mid-spin tube failure triggers automatic shutdown.
Maintenance-free induction motor. No brush wear; daily heavy-use tolerant.
Motor-driven lid lock. Hard interlock — the lid will not unlock while the rotor is in motion.
Microprocessor with one-handed touch operation. Splash-proof keypad; large LCD shows set speed/temp and actual values simultaneously. 99-slot program memory persists across power cycles.
Selectable accel/decel rates. 10 acceleration and 10 deceleration profiles, including unbraked deceleration for gradient and loose-pellet preservation.
Quick rotor exchange. Same single-spindle wing-nut lift-off as Z216-M; rotors are interchangeable across the family.
Stainless-steel sample chamber.
Ordering & Configuration
Ships without rotor. The Z216-MK body ships with operator's manual and power cord. Select your rotor from the Z216-M / Z216-MK shared rotor catalog (linked from this page) — fixed-angle rotors for 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes (up to 30 positions), 0.5 mL, 0.2 mL PCR strips, 5/7 mL conical, plus a swing-out option.
Voltage variants: The 230 V / 50-60 Hz model is available by special order.
Compatible non-refrigerated alternative: Z216-M — same chassis and rotor family without refrigeration, when temperature control isn't required and a smaller budget matters.
Step-up: For larger sample volumes (4 × 750 mL with refrigeration), see the Z446-K Refrigerated Centrifuge.
Warranty & service: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain). Rotor validation, balance checks, refrigeration service, and North American support available through the Benchmark / Hermle distributor network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum speed and RCF of the Z216-MK? 15,000 rpm / 21,379 × g.
What temperature range does the Z216-MK hold? −20 °C to +40 °C via CFC-free refrigeration, with a pre-cooling program and standstill cooling.
What is the Z216-MK's capacity? Up to 30 × 1.5/2.0 mL microtubes (rotor-dependent), plus a 4 × 50 mL conical high-volume rotor option.
How does the Z216-MK differ from the Z216-M? Same chassis and rotor family, plus on-board refrigeration for temperature-sensitive workflows such as RNA isolation and kinetic enzyme assays.
What voltage does the Z216-MK use? 120 V / 50–60 Hz standard; a 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
