Hermle Z446 High-Capacity Universal Centrifuge — 16,000 rpm, 24,325 xg, 4 × 750mL, 115V

Product Description

The Hermle Z446 is the highest-capacity benchtop centrifuge in the entire Hermle-Benchmark lineup — combining massive 4 × 750mL swing-out capacity with high-speed performance up to 16,000 rpm (24,325 xg), aircraft-grade premium alloy construction, RFID automatic rotor identification, and advanced microprocessor controls in a benchtop footprint. The Z446 universal centrifuge series offers the highest capacity of any benchtop Hermle-Benchmark model. With aircraft-grade, premium alloy construction, the 4 × 750mL swing-out rotor can withstand centrifugal forces upwards of 4,500 xg with full loads of up to 28 × 50mL, 68 × 15mL tubes, and up to 20 × microplates. Available in ventilated (Z446) and refrigerated (Z446-K, to -20°C) configurations. Rotor sold separately — one rotor required.

Highest Capacity of Any Benchtop Hermle-Benchmark Model When tube volume and throughput are the primary requirements, the Z446 stands alone among benchtop centrifuges. The 4 × 750mL swing-out rotor accommodates the following simultaneously:

• 68 × 15mL conical tubes (17 per bucket × 4 buckets)
• 28 × 50mL conical tubes (7 per bucket × 4 buckets)
• Up to 20 × microplates — with appropriate microplate carriers
• 750mL bottles — 4 per run at maximum volume

This exceptional throughput makes the Z446 the centrifuge of choice for high-volume cell culture labs, bioproduction environments, large-scale protein purification, and any application requiring the simultaneous processing of large numbers of tubes in a single run.

Aircraft-Grade Premium Alloy Construction The Z446 features durable premium alloy construction commonly used in aircraft. This materials standard — borrowed from aerospace engineering — ensures the rotor and centrifuge chamber can withstand the extreme mechanical stresses of sustained high-speed centrifugation at maximum load, providing the structural integrity required for safe, reliable operation across the full performance envelope of the instrument. This is not a standard consumer-grade centrifuge — it is built to the same material standards used in applications where structural failure is not an option.

RFID Automatic Rotor Identification — Immediate Over-Speed Protection With advanced microprocessor controls, this centrifuge instantly recognizes the rotor and adjusts the rotational speed to the appropriate g-force (rcf), preventing users from exceeding the rotor's capabilities. As soon as a rotor is placed on the motor shaft, the RFID identification process activates and the installed rotor code is displayed on the backlit LCD display — automatically applying the correct maximum speed limit for that specific rotor before any run can be initiated. This rotor-specific protection is a critical safety and longevity feature.

Sub-Minute Rotor Exchange — With Included Rotor Wrench Rotor exchange is simple and requires less than one minute. An included rotor wrench can be used to loosen and install all rotors. For labs running multiple rotor configurations or switching between tube formats throughout the day, the fast rotor exchange system minimizes downtime and keeps workflow moving.

Advanced Microprocessor Controls — Adjustable Accel/Decel, Alarm Tones In addition to retrieving saved programs, the easy-to-use front panel can adjust accel/decel rates and change the end-of-run alarm tone. The backlit, splash-proof LCD display provides clear visibility of all parameters. A momentary spin button, over-speed protection, imbalance detection with automatic safety shut-down, and audible end-of-run signal with multiple melody options complete the safety and usability feature set. The timer runs up to 99 hours 59 minutes plus continuous mode.

Ideal for Tissue Culture — High Volume Cell Processing The Z446 is ideal for tissue culture applications. The combination of large swing-out capacity, gentle horizontal separation geometry, and broad tube format compatibility makes the Z446 the natural choice for high-volume mammalian cell culture labs — processing large numbers of 15mL and 50mL tubes containing cell pellets, media, and wash buffers in a single run. Compared to running multiple smaller centrifuges, the Z446 dramatically reduces the number of runs required and simplifies centrifuge management in high-throughput cell culture environments.

Refrigerated Option Available — Z446-K The Z446-K adds active refrigeration with a temperature range of -20°C to +40°C — making it suitable for temperature-sensitive applications including enzyme reactions, cell viability-critical pelleting, protein stability work, and any application where maintaining sample temperature below ambient throughout centrifugation is required. The refrigerated Z446-K is physically wider (28.7 × 26.4 × 15.4 in.) and heavier (244 lbs) than the ventilated Z446 (21.3 × 26.4 × 15.4 in., 174 lbs).

Z446 vs. Z446-K — Which Configuration Is Right for Your Lab?

Available Configurations:

⚠️ Rotor Required — Sold Separately The Z446 is sold as the centrifuge unit only. One rotor is required for operation. Compatible rotors include the Z446-750 (4 × 750mL swing-out with buckets) and a broad range of additional rotors and inserts. Contact LIGHT LABS at sales@lightlabsusa.com or 1-800-286-3103 for rotor selection assistance.

Key Features

• Highest capacity of any benchtop Hermle-Benchmark centrifuge
• Speed range: 200–16,000 rpm
• Maximum RCF: 24,325 × g
• Maximum capacity: 4 × 750mL (swing-out rotor)
• Tube formats: up to 68 × 15mL or 28 × 50mL or 20 × microplates
• Aircraft-grade premium alloy rotor construction
• RFID automatic rotor identification — immediate over-speed protection
• Instant rotor code display on backlit LCD upon insertion
• Advanced microprocessor controls — adjustable accel/decel rates
• Backlit splash-proof LCD display
• Momentary spin button
• Over-speed protection
• Imbalance detection — automatic safety shut-down
• Audible end-of-run signal — multiple melody options
• Rotor exchange under 1 minute — rotor wrench included
• Timer: up to 99 hr 59 min + continuous
• Refrigerated option available (Z446-K, to -20°C)
• Ideal for cell culture, bioproduction, protein purification
• Dimensions: 21.3 × 26.4 × 15.4 in. (54.1 × 67 × 39.1 cm)
• Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg)
• 115V, 60 Hz, 640W
• 1-year factory warranty
• Rotor sold separately

Supported Applications High-volume mammalian cell culture and tissue culture centrifugation, large-scale bacterial culture pelleting, bioproduction and upstream bioprocessing, protein purification from large culture volumes, microplate centrifugation, clinical sample processing at high throughput, large-volume density gradient centrifugation, harvest of cell pellets from 15mL and 50mL conical tubes in bulk, and any application requiring the highest benchtop centrifuge capacity available.

Technical Specifications