The Z327 is a high-speed universal centrifuge that runs to 18,000 rpm / 23,542 × g and accommodates 4 × 200 mL bottles in its swing-out configuration. It is the Hermle answer for labs whose workflows span the gap between microcentrifuge-class g-force and bottle-format volume — pharmaceutical formulation labs, vaccine and protein-production groups, environmental and forensic laboratories, and academic cores that don't want to maintain separate high-speed and universal instruments. RFID rotor identification, a stainless-steel chamber, and Hermle's induction-drive build make this a long-service-life institutional purchase.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| Max. speed | 18,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF | 23,542 × g |
| Max. volume | 4 × 200 mL (swing-out); 6 × 50 mL conical and 24 × microtube formats via interchangeable rotors |
| Speed range | 200 – 18,000 rpm |
| Running time | 10 s to 59 min 50 s; 1 min to 99 h 59 min; continuous |
| Program memory | 99 saved runs (including rotor type) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 15.7 in × 14 in × 19 in (40 × 36 × 48 cm) |
| Weight | 95 lb (43 kg) |
| Power | 120 V / 50 – 60 Hz, 460 W |
| Noise level | < 63 dBA at max. speed |
| Safety standards | IEC 61010 |
Application Profile
Pharmaceutical formulation and stability. 18,000 rpm covers pelleting of fine-particulate suspensions and post-emulsion phase separation; the 4 × 200 mL capacity supports formulation-batch volumes without a custom large-volume instrument.
Vaccine and protein production. Cell-pellet recovery at 5,000–6,000 × g with 200 mL bottles fits typical bench-scale fermentation and tissue-culture production runs; switching rotors covers downstream microtube cleanups at higher RCF.
Environmental and forensic separations. Sediment, microplastics, and particulate water-quality work uses 200 mL bottles with consistent swing-out geometry; phase-extraction and density work in forensics benefits from selectable accel/decel including unbraked.
Industrial process QC. Crude-oil water content, lubricant analysis, and similar industrial-QC workflows often specify 4 × 200 mL bottle format at consistent RCF — the Z327 covers this directly.
Multi-use academic core. With a microtube rotor swap, the same instrument handles routine miniprep / spin-column work; the RFID rotor ID + per-rotor speed cap means cross-user rotor-swap mistakes are caught at insertion, not mid-spin.
Design Architecture
RFID rotor identification with per-rotor over-speed protection. Each rotor in the Z327 family carries an RFID tag; on insertion the drive reads it and caps maximum speed at that rotor's rated ceiling. Operator cannot accidentally over-spin a rotor designed for lower speed.
Active imbalance identification with rotor-specific cut-off. Per-rotor imbalance thresholds — what's acceptable for a 200 mL swing-out rotor differs from a 24-tube microcentrifuge rotor. The drive applies the right threshold automatically.
Motor-driven lid lock with safety interlock. Hard interlock; the lid cannot unlock during a run.
Maintenance-free induction motor. No brush wear; institutional-duty service life.
Microprocessor with one-handed touch operation. Splash-proof keypad, gloves-friendly, large LCD with simultaneous set / actual display.
Selectable accel/decel with audible run-end alert. Multiple melody options for the end-of-run signal — useful when multiple instruments are in the same room and operators need to identify their cycle by ear.
Optimized airflow keeps the chamber near ambient during long runs in non-refrigerated configurations. (For active temperature control, see the Z327-K.)
Stainless-steel sample chamber.
Quick rotor exchange. Single-spindle wing-nut lift-off; rotor identity flows automatically via RFID after swap.
Ordering & Configuration
Ships without rotor. The Z327 body ships with operator's manual and power cord. Select your rotor from the Z327 rotor catalog (linked from this page) — common configurations include the 4 × 200 mL swing-out rotor (Z327-200 family) with a deep adapter library down to 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes, the 6 × 50 mL fixed-angle for higher-speed conical work, plus 24 × microtube high-RCF rotors.
Voltage variants: The 230 V / 50-60 Hz model is available by special order.
Refrigerated upgrade path: Z327-K — same chassis with -20 °C to +40 °C refrigeration. Same rotor catalog, deeper chassis, higher power input.
Step-up for larger volumes: Z446 for 4 × 750 mL capacity at the same 16,000 rpm class; Z366 for 6 × 250 mL conical bottle work.
Warranty & service: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain). Rotor validation, balance checks, RFID-rotor service, and North American support available through the Benchmark / Hermle distributor network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum speed and RCF of the Z327? 18,000 rpm / 23,542 × g.
What is the Z327's sample capacity? 4 × 200 mL in swing-out configuration, plus 6 × 50 mL conical and 24 × microtube formats via interchangeable rotors.
Is a refrigerated version of the Z327 available? Yes — the Z327-K adds −20 °C to +40 °C refrigeration on the same chassis and shares the Z327 rotor catalog.
Does the Z327 ship with a rotor? No — it ships without a rotor; select from the Z327 rotor catalog. RFID rotor identification caps speed at each rotor's rated ceiling at insertion.
What voltage does the Z327 use? 120 V / 50–60 Hz standard; a 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
