Bionex HiG4

The BioNex HiG4 is a robot-accessible plate centrifuge: the door opening is large enough that laboratory robots reach the buckets directly, without an intermediate plate loader, which removes steps from every spin.

At a glance

Maximum RCF	4,000 g
Imbalance tolerance	50 grams
Active cooling	Peltier + fans
Payload per bucket	350 grams

Specifications

BioNex publishes the following for the HiG4.

Sample temperature	< 5 °C above ambient
Evaporation (unsealed labware)	Minimal
Maximum labware height	61 mm
Maximum gripper opening	169 mm
Height	317.5 mm (12.5 in)
Width	401.3 mm (15.8 in)
Depth	551.2 mm (21.7 in)
Weight	73.5 kg (162 lbs)
Communication	USB 2.0
Electrical	100–127 / 200–240 V~, 12/6.2 A, 50/60 Hz
Enhanced temperature monitoring	Yes — multiple temperature sensors on the chamber
Speed verification window	Yes

BioNex labels the HiG line “For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.”

Instrument features

• Dual position rotor, accepting up to 350 grams per bucket — enough for most microplate configurations including deep-well blocks and filter plate assemblies
• Peltier cooling plus fans, holding samples within 5 °C of ambient at maximum RCF and duty cycle
• Fast acceleration and deceleration, 20 seconds
• Low vibration even at maximum imbalance, which BioNex notes keeps it from interfering with nearby instruments on the same platform
• User-programmable spin profiles
• Self-monitoring — internal measurements validate instrument conditions, backed by multiple chamber temperature sensors and a speed verification window
• Compact and stackable — two units can be stacked to increase throughput
• Standard electrical service only — no compressed air or other utilities

BioNex lists pelletizing cells and cellular debris, sample preparation, PCR assays, DNA purification and sequencing, filtration assays, and dispense bubble removal as applications.

Imbalance: tolerated, not checked

This is worth stating plainly because it is easy to assume otherwise. The HiG4’s design feature is that it tolerates payload imbalance — up to 50 grams between buckets — which BioNex describes as promoting continual, uninterrupted operation rather than stopping for balance.

Revolution does not verify balance before spinning, and the instrument is not claimed to either. Keeping loads within the stated 50 gram tolerance is the method’s responsibility. An unbalanced centrifuge load is a physical hazard, not merely a failed run.

Supported methods

• Spin — run the centrifuge
• Open bucket 1 / Open bucket 2 — present either bucket of the dual-position rotor for a robot to load or unload
• Close shield — close the shield before spinning
• Home — return the rotor to its home position

The bucket operations reflect the dual-position rotor: a robot loads one bucket, then the other, and the two payloads are what have to stay within the 50 gram imbalance tolerance relative to each other.

Integration

Revolution talks to the instrument over USB 2.0.

Prerequisites

• The instrument must be connected to the Revolution host and recognised before the device is initialised.
• Labware must be within 61 mm height and the robot’s gripper must work within the 169 mm maximum gripper opening.
• Payload per bucket must be within 350 grams, and the difference between buckets within 50 grams.
• Spin profiles are programmed on the instrument; a method selects a spin rather than authoring one.

If you need more of this instrument driven from a schedule, get in touch — the driver is extended on demand.