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Optima TLX
120 Ultracentrifuge
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120,000 rpm,
625,000 x g max |
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Air cooled drive |
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Single tube volume range 0.2-5.4 ml |
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Solid state refrigeration |
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2 to 40 degrees C in 1 degree incr. |
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10 user programs |
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10 accel / 10 decel profiles |
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< 60 dbA |
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533 x 735 x 584 mm dimension |
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205 lbs, 95 kg |
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Plugs into a standard
110V outlet ! |
The Beckman Coulter Optima TLX
is a TL 100 on steroids! Buy this model when only the Jaguar
will do (instead of the Mercedes TL 100). Major difference is top
end speed and the rotors that actually go 120,000 rpm.
The Beckman Coulter Optima TLX
Ultracentrifuge is a tabletop ultracentrifuge that can be used for
many types of high-speed applications. This ultracentrifuge can
accommodate any Beckman Coulter TL-series rotors – there are a number
of different models of these designed to be used with common tube
sizes from 0.2ml to 5.4 ml per tube.. Some
of the features of the Optima TLX has include an easy to use control
panel, a temperature control system, a self-purging vacuum system, a
programmable memory that can store up to 10 different profiles and a
versatile acceleration/deceleration program. In addition, because this
instrument has a maximum speed of 120,000 rpm, it comes with many
safety features.
The control panel for the Optima TLX is
conveniently located on top of the machine to allow easy access and
visibility. Run parameters are entered by keys on the control panel
and there is a positive “beep” noise to verify the values entered.
During the run, the control panel shows the actual conditions, such as
speed, temperature, and time. Pressing any one of the ‘speed’,
‘temperature’, or ‘time’ buttons will show the set values that were
initially programmed.
The thermoelectric temperature control
system utilizes forced air and does not require any coolant. Once the
door to the rotor chamber is closed, the temperature control system is
activated automatically. The run temperature can be set between 0 C
and 40 C. There is a sensor in the chamber that continuously measures
the temperature of the chamber. And, there is a microprocessor in the
chamber that calculates the chamber temperature to keep the rotor at
the selected temperature.
The self-purging vacuum system consists
of a series of mechanical vacuum pump with a diffusion pump, which
allows the chamber pressure to reach below 10 microns (1.3 Pa). When
the door is closed, the vacuum system is automatically turned on. This
system continuously removes moisture from the chamber. Once the VAC
message on the control panel disappears, the centrifugation begins. If
there is a loss of vacuum such that the vacuum is above 500 microns,
the instrument is decelerated to 5000 rpm. If the vacuum still remains
above 500 microns, the instrument will come to a stop.
In addition to allowing one to set up
parameters (speed, time, temperature,
acceleration /
deceleration) manually, one can also duplicate runs quickly by
choosing a pre-programmed parameter, which can contain up to 5 steps.
This instrument allows one to select 10 different acceleration rates
(the time it takes to reach 5000 rpm from 0 rpm) to protect specific
gradient and sample-to-gradient interfaces, i.e. sucrose gradients. If
no selection is made or the display is left blank, the instrument
accelerates at the maximum rate. Also, eleven deceleration rates (the
time it takes to decelerate from 5000 rpm to 0 rpm) can be selected to
allow for maximum separation. Again, if no selection is made or the
display is left blank, the instrument decelerates at the maximum rate.
A run can be stopped at any time by simply pressing the ‘stop’ button.
Some of the safety features include a
steel chamber door, which has an electromechanical door-locking
mechanism. The door automatically locks when the door is manually
closed. The door can only be opened when the rotor comes to complete
rest. There is also an imbalance detector, which stops the run if the
loaded rotor is not balanced within a certain range. There is also an
over speed identification system, which stops the run if the set speed
is greater than the maximum speed permitted by that type of rotor.
Surprisingly, an instrument of this
size makes very little noise and does not produce much noticeable
heat. We have had this instrument for about six months and we use it
on a daily basis. So far we have not had any problems with it.
Therefore we have no problems recommending this instrument for any lab
that requires a tabletop ultracentrifuge for high-speed applications.
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