Tabletop Rotors and Tubes

Using Tubes and Accessories
FILLING AND SEALING QUICK-SEAL TUBES
Fill each tube to the base of the neck, using a syringe with a 13-gauge
or smaller needle. 3 A small air space (no larger than 3 mm) may be
left, but an air bubble that is too large can cause the tube to deform,
disrupting gradients or sample. Spacer and/or floating spacer requirements
for Quick-Seal tubes are described in the individual rotor
manuals. The neck of the tube should be clean and dry before sealing.
There are two tube sealers for use with Quick-Seal tubes—the
hand-held Cordless Tube Topper, and the older tabletop model
(no longer available). Refer to How to Use Quick-Seal ® Tubes with
the Beckman Cordless Tube Topper (publication IN-181) for
detailed information about the Tube Topper. Instructions for using
the older tabletop tube sealer are in How to Use Quick-Seal ® Tubes
with the Beckman Tube Sealer (publication IN-163).
Quick-Seal tubes are heat-sealed quickly and easily using the
Beckman Cordless Tube Topper (see Figure 3-2). The following
procedures provide the two methods for heat-sealing Quick-Seal
tubes using the hand-held Tube Topper. Use the applicable tube rack
listed in the applicable rotor manual.
Charging Stand
Pushbutton
Tip
Figure 3-2. The Cordless Quick-Seal Tube Topper
3 A sample application block (342694) is available for holding and compressing tubes, and can be used to layer samples on
preformed gradients in polyallomer Quick-Seal tubes.
Tabletop Ultracentrifuge Rotors and Tubes
3-7