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.
