The Z327-K is the refrigerated counterpart of the Z327 — same 18,000 rpm / 23,542 × g performance ceiling and the same 4 × 200 mL swing-out capacity, with on-board CFC-free refrigeration that holds the chamber from −20 °C to +40 °C. This is the Hermle universal-centrifuge platform for workflows that combine high RCF, bottle-format volume, and sample-temperature control: vaccine production, cold-chain protein purification, environmental sample prep where matrix integrity matters, and clinical immunology research where protein cold-stability is non-negotiable.
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 |
| Temperature range | −20 °C to +40 °C (1 °C increments, °C or °F selectable) |
| Refrigeration | CFC-free; pre-cooling program; standstill cooling |
| Max. volume | 4 × 200 mL (swing-out); 6 × 50 mL conical, 24 × microtube 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 and temperature) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 15.7 in × 14 in × 27.5 in (40 × 36 × 70 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lb (60 kg) |
| Power | 120 V / 50 – 60 Hz, 660 W |
| Noise level | < 63 dBA at max. speed |
| Safety standards | IEC 61010 |
Application Profile
Vaccine and protein-production cold-chain. Cell-pellet recovery and downstream protein concentration steps frequently specify ≤8 °C separations to preserve recombinant protein activity and prevent proteolysis. The Z327-K's 1 °C-increment selection plus standstill cooling holds the chamber across multiple sequential cycles.
Cold-chain plasma and cryoprecipitate work. Blood-banking and component therapy preparation need consistent low-temperature spins; the swing-out 4 × 200 mL rotor handles plasma-bag and large-tube formats.
Environmental sample prep. Sediment / particulate / microplastic separations from refrigerated water and effluent samples require chilled centrifugation to preserve matrix integrity and microbial counts.
Forensic phase-extraction. Cold-temperature precipitation and phase separation in toxicology and forensic chemistry workflows; the unbraked-decel option preserves loose pellets and gradient boundaries.
Cell-culture pellet recovery for sensitive lines. Mammalian primary lines and stem-cell lines often pellet better at 4 °C; combining 200 mL bottle capacity with refrigeration removes the need for a separate refrigerated microcentrifuge plus a separate large-volume room-temp unit.
Design Architecture
CFC-free refrigeration. Set-point control from −20 °C to +40 °C in 1 °C increments, °C or °F selectable. Pre-cooling program brings the chamber to set-point before run start. Standstill cooling holds set-point between cycles without re-pulling refrigeration each spin.
RFID rotor identification with per-rotor over-speed protection. Same rotor catalog as the Z327 — RFID tag at insertion gives the drive the rotor identity, applies the per-rotor speed cap, and adjusts the imbalance threshold automatically.
Active imbalance identification with rotor-specific cut-off. Per-rotor imbalance thresholds; asymmetric loading or mid-spin failure triggers shutdown.
Motor-driven lid lock. Hard interlock — the lid cannot unlock during a run.
Maintenance-free induction motor. No brush wear; refrigeration compressor is the primary scheduled-service touchpoint, on Hermle's standard service interval.
Microprocessor with one-handed touch operation. Splash-proof keypad; large LCD with simultaneous set/actual display for speed, RCF, time, and temperature.
99-slot program memory with rotor type and temperature stored per program — for multi-protocol cores, this means a user can recall a complete spin-protocol setup (rotor selection, set speed, accel/decel, time, temperature) by program number.
Selectable accel/decel including unbraked deceleration. Audible run-end alert with multiple melody options.
Stainless-steel sample chamber with optimized airflow.
Ordering & Configuration
Ships without rotor. The Z327-K body ships with operator's manual and power cord. Select your rotor from the Z327 rotor catalog (shared with the non-refrigerated Z327; linked from this page) — common configurations include the 4 × 200 mL swing-out rotor with deep adapter library, 6 × 50 mL fixed-angle, and 24 × microtube high-RCF rotors.
Voltage variants: The 230 V / 50-60 Hz model is available by special order.
Non-refrigerated alternative: Z327 — same chassis and rotor catalog without refrigeration, when temperature control isn't required.
Step-up volumes with refrigeration: Z366-K for 6 × 250 mL conical, Z446-K for 4 × 750 mL bottle work, Z496-K for 4 × 1,000 mL high-volume floor-standing.
Warranty & service: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain). Refrigeration service, rotor validation, balance checks, and North American support available through the Benchmark / Hermle distributor network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum speed and RCF of the Z327-K? 18,000 rpm / 23,542 × g.
What temperature range does the Z327-K hold? −20 °C to +40 °C via CFC-free refrigeration, with a pre-cooling program and standstill cooling.
What is the Z327-K's capacity? 4 × 200 mL in swing-out, plus 6 × 50 mL conical and 24 × microtube formats via interchangeable rotors.
How does the Z327-K differ from the Z327? Same chassis and rotor catalog, plus on-board refrigeration.
What voltage does the Z327-K use? 120 V / 50–60 Hz standard; a 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
