Beckman Coulter TLA-55 User manual

TL-TB-020AJ
October 2022
Instructions For Use
TLA-55
Fixed-Angle Rotor
For Use in the Beckman Coulter
Optima MAX-XP, MAX-TL, MAX, MAX-E, TL, TLX, and TL-100
Tabletop Ultracentrifuges
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
250 S. Kraemer Blvd.
Brea, CA 92821 U.S.A.

TLA-55 Fixed Angle Rotor
TL-TB-020AJ (October 2022)
©2022 Beckman Coulter, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Beckman Coulter, the stylized logo, and the Beckman
Coulter product and service marks mentioned herein are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter,
Inc. in the United States and other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, contact our Customer Support
Center.
• Worldwide, find us via our website at
www.beckman.com/support/technical
• In the USA and Canada, call us at 1-800-369-0333.
• In Austria, call us at 0810 300484
• In Germany, call us at 02151 333999
• In Sweden, call us at [phone]
• In the Netherlands, call us at [phone]
• In France, call us at 0825838306 6
• In the UK, call us at [phone]
• In Ireland, call us at [phone]
• In Italy, call us at [phone]
• In other locales, contact your local Beckman Coulter
Representative.
Find us on the World Wide Web at: www.beckman.com
Beckman Coulter Eurocenter S.A.
22, rue Juste-Olivier
Case Postale 1044
CH - 1260 Nyon 1, Switzerland
Tel: [phone]
Glossary of Symbols is available at beckman.com/
techdocs (PN C24689).
May be covered by one or more pat. - see
www.beckman.com/patents
Original Instructions

TL-TB-020AJ iii
Revision History
When a subsequent version affects the information in this document, a new issue will be released to the
Beckman Coulter website. For updates, go to www.beckman.com/techdocs and download the latest version
of the manual or system help for your instrument.
Issue AJ, 10/22
Changes or additions were made to: Safety Notice, Description.
Note: Changes that are part of the most recent revision are indicated in text by a bar in the margin of the
amended page.

TL-TB-020AJ
iv
Revision History

TL-TB-020AJ v
Safety Notice
Read all product manuals and consult with Beckman Coulter-trained personnel before attempting
to use this equipment. Do not attempt to perform any procedure before carefully reading all
instructions. Always follow product labeling and manufacturer’s recommendations. If in doubt as
to how to proceed in any situation, contact your Beckman Coulter Representative.
Beckman Coulter, Inc. urges its customers and employees to comply with all national health and
safety standards such as the use of barrier protection. This may include, but is not limited to,
protective eyewear, gloves, and suitable laboratory attire when operating or maintaining this or
any other laboratory centrifuge.
This safety notice summarizes information basic to the safe use of the rotor described in this
manual. The international symbol displayed to the left is a reminder to the user that all safety
instructions should be read and understood before operation or maintenance of this equipment is
attempted. When you see the symbol on other pages of this publication, pay special attention to the
safety information presented. Observance of safety precautions will also help to avoid actions
that could damage or adversely affect the performance of the rotor. This rotor was developed,
manufactured, and tested for safety and reliability as part of a Beckman Coulter centrifuge/rotor
system. Its safety or reliability cannot be assured if used in a centrifuge not of Beckman Coulter’s
manufacture or in a Beckman Coulter centrifuge that has been modified without Beckman Coulter’s
approval.
WARNING
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by Beckman Coulter, Inc., the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
CAUTION
If you purchased this product from anyone other than Beckman Coulter or an
authorized Beckman Coulter distributor, and, if it is not presently under a
Beckman Coulter Service Maintenance Agreement, Beckman Coulter cannot
guarantee that the product is fitted with the most current mandatory engineering
revisions or that you will receive the most current information bulletins
concerning the product. If you purchased this product from a third party and
would like further information concerning this topic, Contact Us.
!

TL-TB-020AJ
vi
Safety Notice
Alerts for Warning, Caution, Important, and Note
Alerts for Warning, Caution, Important, and Note
WARNING
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe
practices.
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT is used for comments that add value to the step or procedure being performed.
Following the advice in the Important adds benefit to the performance of a piece of equipment or to a
process.
NOTE NOTE is used to call attention to notable information that should be followed during installation, use,
or servicing of this equipment.
Safety Information for the TLA-55 Rotor
IMPORTANT This rotor was developed, manufactured, and tested for safety and reliability as part of a
Beckman Coulter centrifuge/rotor system. Its safety or reliability cannot be assured if used in a centrifuge
not of Beckman Coulter’s manufacture or in a Beckman Coulter centrifuge that has been modified
without Beckman Coulter’s approval.
Handle body fluids with care because they can transmit disease. No known test offers complete
assurance that such fluids are free of micro-organisms. Some of the most virulent—Hepatitis (B and
C) viruses, HIV (I–V), atypical mycobacteria, and certain systemic fungi—further emphasize the
need for aerosol protection. Handle other infectious samples according to good laboratory
procedures and methods to prevent spread of disease. Because spills may generate aerosols,
observe proper safety precautions for aerosol containment.
Do not run toxic, pathogenic, or radioactive materials in this rotor without taking appropriate
safety precautions. Biosafe containment should be used when Risk Group II materials (as identified
in the World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual) are handled; materials of a higher
group require more than one level of protection.
The rotor and accessories are not designed for use with materials capable of developing flammable
or explosive vapors. Do not centrifuge such materials in nor handle or store them near the
ultracentrifuge.
Although rotor components and accessories made by other manufacturers may fit in the TLA-55
rotor, their safety in this rotor cannot be ascertained by Beckman Coulter. Use of other
manufacturers’ components or accessories in the TLA-55 rotor may void the rotor warranty and
should be prohibited by your laboratory safety officer. Only the components and accessories listed
in this publication should be used in this rotor.

TL-TB-020AJ vii
Safety Notice
Safety During Installation and/or Maintenance
Do not run an empty rotor. Place filled tubes in at least two opposing cavities. Make sure that filled
containers are loaded symmetrically into the rotor and that opposing tubes are filled to the same
level with liquid of the same density. Make sure that cavities in use have the proper spacers and/or
floating spacers inserted before installing the rotor lid.
If disassembly reveals evidence of leakage, you should assume that some fluid escaped the rotor.
Apply appropriate decontamination procedures to the centrifuge and accessories.
Never exceed the maximum rated speed of the rotor and labware in use. Refer to the section on
Run Speeds.
Do not use sharp tools on the rotor that could cause scratches in the rotor surface. Corrosion begins
in scratches and may open fissures in the rotor with continued use.
Safety During Installation and/or Maintenance
WARNING
Risk of injury or equipment damage. Vapors from flammable reagents or
combustible fluids could enter the centrifuge air system and be ignited by the
motor. Do not use the centrifuge in the vicinity of flammable liquids or vapors, and
do not run such materials in the instrument.
CAUTION
Risk of equipment damage. Corrosion begins in scratches and may open fissures
in the rotor, carriers, and carriages with continued use. Do not use sharp tools on
the rotor that could cause scratches in the rotor surface carrier and carriage
surfaces.
Perform only the maintenance described in Maintenance.
IMPORTANT It is your responsibility to decontaminate components of the instrument before requesting
service by a Beckman Coulter Representative or returning parts to Beckman Coulter for repair.
Beckman Coulter will NOT accept any items which have not been decontaminated where it is appropriate
to do so. If any parts are returned, they must be enclosed in a sealed plastic bag stating that the contents
are safe to handle and are not contaminated.
Any servicing of this equipment that requires removal of any covers can expose parts that involve
the risk of electric shock or personal injury. Make sure that the power switch is off and the
centrifuge is disconnected from the main power source by removing the Mains (power) plug from
the outlet receptacle, and refer such servicing to qualified personnel.
Do not replace any centrifuge components with parts not specified for use on this instrument.

TL-TB-020AJ
viii
Safety Notice
Radiation Safety
WARNING
Risk of personal injury. Use appropriate lifting techniques when installing this
rotor into or removing it from the instrument.
Radiation Safety
Use universal precautions when working with radioactive materials. Means must be available to
decontaminate the instrument and dispose of radioactive waste.
Chemical and Biological Safety
Use universal precautions when working with pathogenic materials. Means must be available to
decontaminate the instrument and to dispose of biohazardous waste.
NOTE Observe all warnings and cautions listed for any external devices attached or used during operation
of the instrument. Refer to applicable external device user’s manuals for operating procedures of that
device.
NOTE For Safety Data Sheets (SDS) information, go to the Beckman Coulter website at https://
www.beckman.com/techdocs.
WARNING
Risk of chemical injury from bleach. To avoid contact with the bleach, use barrie
protection, including protective eyewear, gloves, and suitable laboratory attire.
Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for details about chemical exposure before using
the chemical.
WARNING
Risk of personal injury or equipment damage. Ethanol is a flammability hazard. Do
not use it in or near operating or powered centrifuges.

TL-TB-020AJ ix
Safety Notice
Chemical and Biological Safety
WARNING
Risk of personal injury or property damage. The rotors and accessories are not
designed for use with materials capable of developing flammable or explosive
vapors. Do not centrifuge such materials in, nor handle or store them near the
centrifuge.
WARNING
Risk of personal injury or contamination. Before running the centrifuge with
chemical or biological samples, test new labware types to determine if normal
operation of the rotor may involve the use of materials that are toxic or otherwise
biologically harmful. When using such materials, observe the following
precautions:
• Handle infectious samples according to good laboratory procedures and
methods to prevent the spread of disease.
• Observe all cautionary information printed on the original solutions’
containers prior to their use.
• Dispose of all waste solutions according to your facility’s waste disposal
procedures.
• Operate the instrument in accordance with the instructions outlined in this
manual and take all the necessary precautions when using pathological, toxic,
or radioactive materials.
• Splashing of liquids may occur; therefore, take appropriate safety
precautions, such as using safety glasses and wearing protective clothing,
when working with potentially hazardous liquids.
• Use an appropriately-contained environment when using hazardous
materials.
• Observe the appropriate cautionary procedures as defined by your safety
officer when using flammable solvents in or near a powered-up instrument.
• Always observe appropriate cautionary procedures as defined by your safety
officer when using flammable solvents or toxic, pathological, or radioactive
materials.

TL-TB-020AJ
x
Safety Notice
Mechanical Safety
Mechanical Safety
WARNING
Risk of personal injury. To avoid injury due to moving parts, observe the following:
• Before starting the centrifuge, make sure that the rotor tie-down screw is
securely fastened.
• Never attempt to exchange labware or reagents while the instrument is
operating.
• Never attempt to physically restrict any of the moving components of the
instrument.
• NEVER attempt to slow or stop a rotor by hand.
• Keep the instrument work area clear to prevent obstruction of the movement.
Rotors are designed for use at the speeds indicated; however, speed reductions may be required
because of weight considerations of tubes, adapters, and/or the density of the solution being
centrifuged. Be sure to observe the instructions in the applicable rotor manual.
The strength of containers can vary between lots, and will depend on handling and usage. We highly
recommend that you pretest them in the rotor (using buffer or gradient of equivalent density to the
intended sample solution) to determine optimal operating conditions.
To help prevent premature failures or hazards by detecting stress corrosion, metal fatigue, wear or
damage to anodized coatings, and to instruct laboratory personnel in the proper care of rotors,
Beckman Coulter offers the Field Rotor Inspection Program (FRIP). This program involves a visit to
your laboratory by a specially trained Beckman Coulter representative, who will inspect all of your
rotors for corrosion or damage. The representative will recommend repair or replacement of at risk
rotors to prevent potential rotor failures. Contact Us to request this service.
Cleaning
Observe the cleaning procedures outlined in this user’s manual for the rotor. Prior to cleaning
equipment that has been exposed to hazardous material:
• Contact the appropriate Chemical and Biological Safety personnel.
• Review the Chemical and Biological Safety information in the user’s manual.

TL-TB-020AJ xi
Safety Notice
Maintenance
Maintenance
Perform only the maintenance described in this manual. Maintenance other than that specified in
this manual should be performed only by your Beckman Coulter Representative.
IMPORTANT It is your responsibility to decontaminate components of the instrument before requesting
service by a Beckman Coulter Representative or returning parts to Beckman Coulter. Beckman Coulter
will NOT accept any items which have not been decontaminated where it is appropriate to do so. If any
parts are returned, they must be enclosed in a sealed plastic bag stating that the contents are safe to
handle and are not contaminated.
Disposal
Clean and decontaminate the rotor per the Care and Maintenance section of this manual before
disposal. Users are encouraged to check with local waste disposal authorities for specific disposal
requirements.

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xii
Safety Notice
Disposal

xiii
Contents
Revision History,iii
Safety Notice,v
Alerts for Warning, Caution, Important, and Note,vi
Safety Information for the TLA-55 Rotor,vi
Safety During Installation and/or Maintenance,vii
Radiation Safety, viii
Chemical and Biological Safety,viii
Mechanical Safety,x
Cleaning,x
Maintenance,xi
Disposal,xi
TLA-55
Fixed-Angle Rotor,1
Specifications,1
Description,2
Preparation and Use,3
Prerun Safety Checks,3
Rotor Preparation,3
Operation,4
Removal and Sample Recovery,5
Tubes,6
Temperature Limits,6
Run Times,6
Run Speeds,7
Selecting CsCl Gradients,9
Care and Maintenance,12
Maintenance,12
Cleaning,12
Decontamination,14
Sterilization and Disinfection,14
Storage,14
Returning a Rotor,14
Supply List,15

xiv
Contents
Replacement Rotor Parts,15
Other,15
Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Ultracentrifuge Rotor Warranty
Related Documents

xv
Illustrations
Illustrations
1 Arranging Tubes in the Rotor,4
2 Precipitation Curves for the TLA-55 Rotor,10
3 CsCl Gradients at Equilibrium for the TLA-55 Rotor,11

xvi
Tables
Tables
1 Relative Centrifugal Fields for the TLA-55 Rotor,8

TL-TB-020AJ 1-1
TLA-55
Fixed-Angle Rotor
Specifications
1. Axis of Rotation
Maximum speed 55,000 RPM
Density rating at maximum speed 1.7 g/mL
Relative Centrifugal Fieldaat maximum speed
at rmax (55 mm) 186,000 g
at rav (40 mm) 136,000 g
at rmin (25 mm) 84,700 g
kfactor at maximum speed 66
Conditions requiring speed reductions see Run Speeds
Number of tube cavities 12
Nominal tube dimensions (largest tube) 11 38 mm
Nominal tube capacity 1.5 mL
Nominal rotor capacity 18 mL
Approximate acceleration time to maximum speed
(fully loaded)
8 min
Approximate deceleration time from maximum speed
(fully loaded)
4 1/2 min
Weight of fully loaded rotor 0.8 kg (1.69 lb)
Rotor and lid material aluminum
a. Relative Centrifugal Field (RCF) is the ratio of the centrifugal acceleration at a specified radius and speed (rw2) to the standard acceleration of
gravity (g) according to the following formula: RCF = r2/g — where ris the radius in millimeters, is the angular velocity in radians per second
(2 RPM /60), and gis the standard acceleration of gravity (9807 mm/s2). After substitution: RCF = 1.12r (RPM/1000)2
rav
rmax
rmin
45°
1
U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,483
Japanese Pat. No. 1,551,443
Swiss Pat. No. 646,881

TL-TB-020AJ
1-2
TLA-55 Fixed-Angle Rotor
Description
Description
This Beckman Coulter rotor has been manufactured in an ISO 9001 or 13485 facility for use with the
specified Beckman Coulter centrifuges.
The TLA-55 fixed-angle rotor holds up to twelve 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tubes at a 45-degree angle.
This rotor develops sufficient centrifugal forces for a number of applications: it provides quick
pelleting runs that preserve the bioactivity of a sample and it is an effective tool for recovery of fine
precipitates.
The rotor and lid are made of aluminum and are anodized to resist corrosion. A plunger in the lid
locks the rotor to the drive hub before beginning the run, and two lubricated O-rings made of
Buna-N rubber maintain atmospheric pressure inside the rotor during centrifugation. The twelve
tube cavities are numbered to aid in sample identification.
The rotor is specially designed with a fluid-containment annulus, located below the O-ring sealing
surface. The annulus retains fluid that may escape from leaking or overfilled tubes, thereby
preventing the liquid from escaping into the instrument chamber.
The ultracentrifuge identifies rotor speed during the run by means of a magnetic speed sensor in
the instrument chamber and magnets on the bottom of the rotor. This overspeed protection system
ensures that the rotor does not exceed its maximum permitted speed.
Refer to the Warranty at the back of this manual for warranty information.
1. Lid
2. Lid O-ring (outer (366672)
3. Rotor Body
4. Fluid-Containment Annulus
5. Lid O-ring (inner) (824412)
1
5
43
2

TL-TB-020AJ 1-3
TLA-55 Fixed-Angle Rotor
Preparation and Use
Preparation and Use
Specific information about the TLA-55 rotor is given here. Information common to this and other rotors is
contained in Rotors and Tubes for Tabletop Preparative Ultracentrifuges (publication TLR-IM), which
should be used together with this manual for complete rotor and accessory operation. Publication TLR-IM
is included in the literature package shipped with the rotor.
NOTE Although rotor components and accessories made by other manufacturers may fit in the TLA-55 rotor,
their safety in this rotor cannot be ascertained by Beckman Coulter. Use of other manufacturers’
components or accessories in the TLA-55 rotor may void the rotor warranty and should be prohibited by
your laboratory safety officer. Only the components and accessories listed in this publication should be
used in this rotor.
Prerun Safety Checks
Read the Safety Notice section at the front of this manual before using the rotor.
1 Inspect the O-rings and plunger mechanism for damage—the high forces generated in this
rotor can cause damaged components to fail.
2 Check the chemical compatibilities of all materials used (refer to Chemical Resistances,
publication IN-175).
Rotor Preparation
For runs at other than room temperature, refrigerate or warm the rotor beforehand for fast equilibration.
1 Lightly but evenly lubricate metal threads with Spinkote lubricant (306812).
2 Apply a thin film of silicone vacuum grease (335148) to the two O-rings in the rotor lid.
3 Load the filled and capped tubes symmetrically into the rotor (see page 6 for tube information).
• If fewer than twelve tubes are being run, they must be arranged symmetrically in the rotor
(see Figure 1).
• Opposing tubes must be filled to the same level with liquid of the same density.

TL-TB-020AJ
1-4
TLA-55 Fixed-Angle Rotor
Preparation and Use
Figure 1 Arranging Tubes in the Rotor
NOTE Two, three, four, six, eight, nine, ten, or twelve tubes can be
centrifuged per run if they are arranged in the rotor as shown.
Operation
1 Use an absorbent towel to wipe off condensation from the rotor, then carefully place the rotor
on the drive hub.
2 Lock the rotor in place by gently pressing the plunger down until you feel it click.
• When you remove your finger, the plunger will remain flush with the rotor body if it is
properly engaged.
a. If the plunger pops up, repeat the procedure.
CAUTION
In all ultracentrifuge models except the Optima MAX-TL, MAX-XP, MAX, and
MAX-E, it is very important to lock the rotor in place before beginning the run to
ensure that the rotor remains seated during centrifugation. Failure to lock the
rotor in place before beginning the run may result in damage to both rotor and
instrument.
1. Plunger Engaged
1