The Z446-K is the refrigerated version of the Z446 — same 16,000 rpm / 24,325 × g performance and same 4 × 750 mL bottle capacity, with on-board CFC-free refrigeration that holds the chamber from −20 °C to +40 °C. This is the Hermle high-capacity universal centrifuge for cold-chain protein production, vaccine concentration, and any 750 mL-bottle workflow that requires chamber temperature control. At 245 lb and 29 × 26 inch footprint, plan installation accordingly.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| Max. speed | 16,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF | 24,325 × g (swing-out) / 26,328 × g (angle rotor) |
| 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 × 750 mL |
| Speed range | 200 – 16,000 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) | 29 in × 15 in × 26 in (73 × 39 × 67 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Power (120 V) | 120 V / 50 – 60 Hz, 1,630 W, 15 A circuit |
| Noise level | < 63 dBA at max. speed |
| Safety standards | IEC 61010 |
Application Profile
Cold-chain protein production at production volume. E. coli pellet recovery, recombinant-protein lysate clarification, and post-lysis debris removal at 750 mL × 4 with chamber at 4 °C — the spec for cold-sensitive recombinant proteins, kinase preparations, and cofactor-dependent enzymes that lose activity if pelleted at ambient.
Vaccine concentration cold-chain. Sucrose-cushion virus concentrations, viral clarification, and bulk virus enrichment at chilled chamber temperature. The Z446-K's pre-cooling program brings the chamber to set-point before sample insertion; standstill cooling holds set-point between sequential cycles.
Bench-scale bioreactor harvest. Mammalian cell-culture supernatant clarification and pellet recovery at 750 mL bottle volume, refrigerated for cold-stable secreted proteins.
Cold-temperature density gradients at high volume. Continuous and step gradients in iodixanol, Percoll, or sucrose at 750 mL volumes — selectable unbraked decel preserves gradient boundaries.
Industrial QC where matrix temperature matters. Crude-oil and lubricant work where temperature control affects phase boundaries and water-content separation accuracy.
Design Architecture
CFC-free refrigeration. Set-point control from −20 °C to +40 °C in 1 °C increments. Pre-cooling brings the chamber to set-point before run start. Standstill cooling holds set-point between cycles without re-pulling refrigeration each spin. Refrigeration is housed at the rear of the chassis — accounts for the 29-inch depth vs. the non-refrigerated Z446's 26 inches.
RFID rotor identification with per-rotor over-speed protection. Same Z446 rotor catalog, same RFID system; rotor identity sets speed cap and imbalance threshold automatically.
Active imbalance identification with rotor-specific cut-off.
Motor-driven lid lock. Hard interlock — 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 — full spin protocol (rotor, speed, accel/decel, time, temperature) recallable by program number.
Selectable accel/decel including unbraked deceleration. Audible run-end alert with multiple melody options.
Stainless-steel sample chamber.
Ordering & Configuration
Ships without rotor. The Z446-K body ships with operator's manual and power cord. Select your rotor from the Z446 rotor catalog (shared with the non-refrigerated Z446; linked from this page) — the 4 × 750 mL swing-out, 6 × 250 mL high-speed angle, 6 × 85 mL high-RCF angle, and 24 × / 30 × microtube high-RCF options.
Voltage variants: The 230 V / 50-60 Hz model is available by special order. Note that the 230 V variant requires a 20 A circuit, not standard 15 A — confirm electrical service before order.
Non-refrigerated alternative: Z446 — same chassis without refrigeration, when temperature control isn't required. Lower power (640 W) and smaller depth (26 in vs. 29 in).
Step-up: Z496-K for 4 × 1,000 mL floor-standing high-volume work in 230 V configuration.
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 Z446-K? 16,000 rpm / 24,325 × g in swing-out; 26,328 × g with an angle rotor.
What temperature range does the Z446-K hold? −20 °C to +40 °C via CFC-free refrigeration, with a pre-cooling program and standstill cooling.
What is the Z446-K's bottle capacity? 4 × 750 mL, sharing the Z446 rotor catalog.
What electrical service does the Z446-K need? The 120 V model draws 1,630 W on a 15 A circuit; the 230 V variant requires a 20 A circuit, not standard 15 A — confirm before order.
What voltage does the Z446-K use? 120 V / 50–60 Hz standard; a 230 V / 50–60 Hz model is available by special order.
Installation planning note: 245 lb on a sturdy bench; 1,630 W draw on a 15 A circuit (120 V); -E variant requires 20 A circuit at 230 V. Confirm bench-load rating and electrical service before installation.
