Labconco FreeZone 6 Freeze Dryer System with Stoppering Tray Dryer and Edwards nXDS10iC Vacuum Pump
The Labconco FreeZone 6 Freeze Dryer System with Stoppering Tray Dryer and Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump is a complete research-scale lyophilization system designed for controlled freeze drying of vials, biological materials, pharmaceutical formulations, research samples, and other compatible products. Combining a 6-liter FreeZone console freeze dryer with a programmable stoppering tray dryer and oil-free dry scroll vacuum pump, this system provides substantially greater process control than a basic manifold-style freeze dryer.
This refurbished system from American Instrument Exchange includes a Labconco FreeZone 6 Console Freeze Dryer, model 710612100, Labconco Stoppering Tray Dryer model 794801100, and Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump. The FreeZone 6 provides a -84°C collector and 6-liter ice holding capacity, while the stoppering tray dryer adds three temperature-controlled shelves capable of cooling and heating from -40°C to +40°C.
The tray dryer supports programmable shelf-temperature ramp and hold profiles and allows compatible vials and serum bottles to be stoppered under vacuum at the completion of the drying process. Together, these capabilities make the system particularly useful for pharmaceutical development, biotechnology research, formulation studies, process development, academic research, and other applications requiring more control than simple bulk or flask-based freeze drying.
This Labconco FreeZone 6 system is used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange, tested prior to shipment, and backed by a 90-day warranty.
Key Features
-
Refurbished Labconco FreeZone 6 freeze dryer system
-
Labconco FreeZone 6 Console Freeze Dryer model 710612100
-
Labconco Stoppering Tray Dryer model 794801100
-
Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump
-
-84°C collector temperature
-
6-liter ice holding capacity
-
Three temperature-controlled processing shelves
-
16.5"W × 12"D processing area per shelf
-
196 square inches of processing area per shelf
-
Shelf temperature range from -40°C to +40°C
-
Shelf temperature controlled within ±1°C of set point
-
Programmable ramp and hold operation
-
Up to 30 stored programs with as many as 16 segments per program
-
In-chamber stoppering of compatible containers under vacuum
-
Three probes for sample or shelf temperature monitoring
-
Lyo-Works operating system for process monitoring and data logging
-
Oil-free dry scroll vacuum technology
-
Refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange
-
90-day warranty included
Overview
The Labconco FreeZone 6 with Stoppering Tray Dryer is designed for laboratories that require greater control over the lyophilization process than is available from a basic freeze dryer equipped only with a manifold or drying chamber.
The FreeZone console provides the low-temperature collector and vacuum environment required for sublimation. The attached stoppering tray dryer adds independently controlled shelf temperature, programmable drying profiles, sample-temperature monitoring, and the ability to stopper compatible containers under vacuum.
During freeze drying, frozen water or other compatible frozen solvent is removed primarily by sublimation under reduced pressure. Rather than passing through the liquid phase, frozen solvent transitions into vapor, which is captured on the low-temperature collector.
By controlling shelf temperature and system vacuum, researchers can develop drying conditions appropriate for the characteristics of the formulation or sample.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Labconco |
| Product Family |
FreeZone |
| Freeze Dryer |
FreeZone 6 Console |
| Freeze Dryer Model / Catalog No. |
710612100 |
| Freeze Dryer Type |
Console Freeze Dryer |
| Collector Ice Capacity |
6 Liters |
| Collector Temperature |
Down to -84°C |
| Tray Dryer |
Labconco Stoppering Tray Dryer |
| Tray Dryer Model / Catalog No. |
794801100 |
| Number of Processing Shelves |
3 |
| Shelf Dimensions |
16.5"W × 12"D Each |
| Processing Area |
196 sq. in. Per Shelf |
| Total Nominal Shelf Area |
588 sq. in. Across 3 Shelves |
| Shelf Temperature Range |
-40°C to +40°C |
| Shelf Temperature Control |
±1°C of Set Point |
| Tray Dryer Refrigeration |
1 hp |
| Tray Dryer Heater |
1000 W |
| Temperature Probes |
3 |
| Stored Programs |
Up to 30 |
| Segments Per Program |
Up to 16 |
| Stoppering |
In-Chamber Stoppering Under Vacuum |
| Backfill Connection |
1/8" OD |
| Vacuum Pump |
Edwards nXDS10iC Dry Scroll Pump |
| Vacuum Pump Type |
Oil-Free Dry Scroll |
| Operating System |
Labconco Lyo-Works |
| Condition |
Used / Refurbished |
| Warranty |
90 Days from American Instrument Exchange |
Common Applications
The Labconco FreeZone 6 with Stoppering Tray Dryer is designed for controlled research and development lyophilization involving compatible pharmaceutical formulations, biological samples, proteins, enzymes, reagents, diagnostic materials, research compounds, standards, cultures, extracts, and other materials requiring low-temperature dehydration.
It is particularly useful when samples are processed in vials and the laboratory requires controlled shelf temperatures during primary and secondary drying.
The system can also support formulation-development and process-development work where researchers need to evaluate the effects of shelf temperature, vacuum, hold time, and temperature ramp rates on the resulting lyophilized material.
Ideal Laboratory Types
This FreeZone 6 system is well suited to pharmaceutical research laboratories, biotechnology companies, formulation-development laboratories, academic research facilities, university core laboratories, contract research organizations, diagnostic-development laboratories, life-science laboratories, and other R&D environments performing controlled freeze-drying studies.
Its combination of programmable shelves and in-chamber stoppering makes it particularly attractive for laboratories developing vial-based lyophilization processes.
Understanding the 6-Liter Capacity
The FreeZone 6 designation refers to the collector's ice holding capacity, not the amount of liquid sample that can automatically be processed in a single run.
The collector can hold approximately 6 liters of ice before defrosting is required.
Actual sample capacity per cycle depends on several factors, including sample composition, solvent content, container geometry, fill depth, shelf loading, freezing conditions, drying protocol, and the amount of condensable material being removed.
This distinction is important when sizing a freeze dryer for a particular application.
-84°C Collector Temperature
This FreeZone 6 configuration provides a collector temperature down to approximately -84°C.
The low-temperature collector captures condensable vapor generated during sublimation, allowing frozen solvent to accumulate on the collector coil rather than entering the vacuum pump.
A -84°C collector provides greater flexibility than a -50°C configuration for laboratories working with a wider variety of compatible solvents and formulations.
Solvent compatibility should nevertheless be verified before processing, particularly when working with organic solvents, acids, bases, or other potentially corrosive compounds.
Three Temperature-Controlled Shelves
The stoppering tray dryer contains three processing shelves measuring approximately 16.5 inches wide × 12 inches deep.
Each shelf provides approximately 196 square inches of processing area, for a combined nominal shelf area of approximately 588 square inches when all three shelves are installed.
The shelves are designed to transfer controlled thermal energy directly to the containers placed on them.
This provides significantly greater process control than placing frozen samples inside a passive drying chamber.
-40°C to +40°C Shelf Temperature Range
A dedicated refrigeration system and electric heater circulate fluid through channels inside the tray dryer shelves.
The system can control shelf temperatures from approximately -40°C to +40°C.
Low shelf temperatures can support initial freezing and controlled early-stage drying, while progressively warmer shelf temperatures can supply the energy required for sublimation and later drying stages.
Shelf temperature should be selected according to the formulation, product characteristics, container geometry, vacuum conditions, and established lyophilization protocol.
Shelf Temperature Control Within ±1°C
Labconco specifies control of the circulating shelf fluid to within approximately ±1°C of the selected set point.
Consistent shelf-temperature control is important in lyophilization because heat input influences the rate of sublimation and the temperature experienced by the product.
For formulation and process-development laboratories, controlled shelves allow researchers to investigate and reproduce drying conditions more systematically than with a basic freeze dryer.
Programmable Freeze-Drying Profiles
The stoppering tray dryer supports programmable temperature ramp and hold operation.
Up to 30 programs can be stored, with as many as 16 segments per program. Program parameters can include shelf temperature, ramp rate, hold time, vacuum level, and related process conditions.
This allows researchers to establish multistage drying protocols rather than manually changing settings throughout a long lyophilization cycle.
Stored programs can also improve repeatability when the same experimental drying protocol must be performed multiple times.
Primary Drying
During primary drying, frozen solvent is removed predominantly through sublimation.
Vacuum reduces pressure within the chamber while controlled shelf heating supplies the energy necessary for sublimation to continue.
The correct shelf temperature is highly sample dependent. Excessive heat can cause the product temperature to exceed critical formulation limits, while insufficient heat can extend drying time considerably.
The FreeZone stoppering tray dryer gives researchers control over shelf temperature and vacuum conditions needed to develop an appropriate primary-drying process.
Secondary Drying
After visible ice has been removed during primary drying, additional bound or adsorbed moisture may remain within the product.
Secondary drying generally involves increasing shelf temperature under vacuum to promote further moisture removal.
The programmable -40°C to +40°C shelf range allows the tray dryer to transition from colder primary-drying conditions into warmer secondary-drying stages as appropriate for the formulation.
Final moisture targets and acceptable process conditions must be established by the laboratory for the specific product being processed.
In-Chamber Stoppering Under Vacuum
A major advantage of this system is the ability to stopper compatible vials or serum bottles while they remain inside the tray dryer under vacuum.
At the completion of the drying process, the stoppering mechanism compresses partially inserted stoppers into the containers before the chamber is fully returned to atmospheric conditions.
This allows the product to be closed within the controlled chamber environment and can reduce exposure of the dried material to ambient humidity before sealing.
The stoppering mechanism uses atmospheric pressure to inflate a diaphragm, so a separate compressed-gas supply is not required to actuate the mechanism.
Stoppering Does Not Automatically Establish Sterility
The stoppering feature is useful for protecting lyophilized products from ambient exposure, but stoppering under vacuum should not be interpreted as automatically producing or maintaining a sterile product.
Sterility depends on the complete validated process, including formulation preparation, container and closure preparation, environmental controls, equipment qualification, aseptic technique, sterilization procedures where applicable, and subsequent handling.
The FreeZone system can support research involving vial-based lyophilization, but laboratories performing sterile pharmaceutical processing must establish and validate their own complete process.
Adjustable Shelf Spacing
The stoppering tray dryer can accommodate different container heights by changing the number and arrangement of shelves.
With three shelves installed, the system is designed for compatible stoppered containers approximately 38 to 75 mm high. Using two shelves increases available container height, while a single-shelf arrangement allows substantially taller containers.
This flexibility allows researchers to adapt the chamber to different vial and bottle formats.
Three Temperature Probes
The tray dryer includes three probes for monitoring shelf or sample temperatures.
Temperature probes can provide valuable information about product behavior during a lyophilization cycle and can help researchers determine how closely sample temperature follows programmed shelf conditions.
This information is particularly useful during method development, where researchers may be evaluating freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying conditions.
Lyo-Works Operating System
The FreeZone platform uses Labconco's Lyo-Works operating system to display and manage freeze-drying parameters.
The interface provides real-time information on collector temperature, vacuum level, tray-dryer parameters, alarms, and other operating information.
Data can be displayed in table or chart form and stored for later review.
For research laboratories performing process-development work, having accessible cycle data can simplify comparison between experimental drying protocols.
Data Logging and Export
The Lyo-Works platform can record operating data throughout the freeze-drying process.
Stored data may be viewed in graphical or tabular format and exported through supported USB or Ethernet functionality.
Data logging is valuable for troubleshooting, method development, documentation, and comparing successive experimental cycles.
It should not, by itself, be interpreted as establishing regulatory compliance or a validated GMP process.
Edwards nXDS10iC Dry Scroll Vacuum Pump
This system includes an Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump.
Dry scroll technology generates vacuum without using oil as the pumping medium. This eliminates routine vacuum-pump oil changes and avoids the potential for oil backstreaming associated with conventional oil-sealed rotary vane pumps.
For freeze-drying applications, an oil-free pump can simplify routine maintenance and provide a clean vacuum source.
The pump should still be operated and maintained according to Edwards recommendations and the requirements of the materials being processed.
Why Vacuum Is Essential to Freeze Drying
Lyophilization relies on the combination of low temperature and reduced pressure.
After the product is frozen, system pressure is reduced sufficiently to allow frozen solvent to sublime into vapor.
The vacuum pump establishes and maintains the low-pressure environment necessary for this process, while the collector captures the resulting vapor as ice.
Effective vacuum performance is therefore fundamental to freeze-dryer operation.
Freeze Drying vs. Conventional Drying
Freeze drying removes frozen solvent primarily through sublimation rather than evaporating liquid water at elevated temperature.
This makes lyophilization useful for many temperature-sensitive materials and formulations where conventional heat drying may be unsuitable.
Freeze drying can also produce a porous dried structure that may reconstitute readily when the appropriate solvent is later added.
Actual product stability, residual moisture, reconstitution characteristics, and shelf life depend on formulation and process development and are not guaranteed by the freeze dryer itself.
Freeze Drying vs. Vacuum Concentration
A freeze dryer and vacuum concentrator both operate under reduced pressure, but they are designed for different workflows.
Vacuum concentrators generally remove liquid solvent from multiple small samples through evaporation, often with centrifugal force.
Freeze dryers first freeze the product and then remove frozen solvent through sublimation.
The appropriate technology depends on sample composition, desired final form, thermal sensitivity, volume, and downstream application.
Freeze Drying vs. Rotary Evaporation
Rotary evaporators remove liquid-phase volatile solvents through evaporation under reduced pressure while rotating the sample flask.
The Labconco FreeZone system instead removes frozen solvent primarily through sublimation.
Rotary evaporation is often appropriate for solvent removal and concentration of liquid samples, while freeze drying is selected when the desired process specifically requires lyophilization.
Some laboratories use both technologies at different stages of sample preparation.
Research and Pharmaceutical Development
The combination of programmable shelf temperatures, vacuum control, temperature monitoring, data logging, and in-chamber stoppering makes this FreeZone system particularly useful for pharmaceutical and biotechnology development.
Researchers can investigate how different shelf-temperature ramps, vacuum conditions, and hold periods affect drying behavior and final product characteristics.
This makes the system suitable for laboratory-scale formulation studies and development of lyophilization processes before transfer to appropriately qualified larger-scale equipment.
Biological Samples and Reagents
Lyophilization is frequently used in research involving biological materials, reagents, proteins, enzymes, standards, cultures, and other temperature-sensitive materials.
The ability to remove water at low temperature can be useful when the laboratory wants to produce a stable dried form for storage, transport, reconstitution, or further experimentation.
Whether a specific biological product is suitable for freeze drying depends on formulation and stability requirements.
Pilot and Research-Scale Lyophilization
The FreeZone 6 with Stoppering Tray Dryer is best described as a research and development or pilot-scale lyophilization system rather than a high-volume production freeze dryer.
Its three shelves provide meaningful capacity for formulation studies, process development, and moderate research batches while remaining considerably smaller than industrial production lyophilizers.
This makes it especially useful for organizations developing products or processes before larger-scale manufacturing.
Refurbishment and Testing by American Instrument Exchange
American Instrument Exchange refurbishes and tests used freeze-drying equipment before shipment.
For a system of this complexity, evaluation includes operation of the FreeZone collector refrigeration system, verification of low-temperature performance, vacuum testing, tray-dryer refrigeration and heating checks, shelf-temperature operation, stoppering mechanism operation, controls, probes, seals, valves, and installed vacuum equipment.
The Edwards dry scroll vacuum pump is also evaluated as part of the assembled system.
The equipment is cleaned before shipment, and customers with application-specific testing requirements can discuss those requirements with AIE before purchase.
Why Buy a Refurbished Labconco FreeZone 6 System?
A complete freeze dryer with programmable stoppering tray dryer and dry vacuum pump represents a substantial laboratory equipment investment.
Purchasing a refurbished system can provide access to advanced Labconco lyophilization capabilities at a lower acquisition cost than purchasing a comparable new system.
This particular package is especially attractive because it combines the FreeZone 6 collector, temperature-controlled stoppering tray dryer, and Edwards dry scroll vacuum pump as an integrated system rather than requiring the customer to source each major component separately.
American Instrument Exchange tests the system before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty.
Shipping and Installation
The Labconco FreeZone 6 with Stoppering Tray Dryer is a substantial multi-component system that requires appropriate installation space and electrical service.
Laboratories should confirm available floor space, electrical requirements, ventilation, ambient conditions, drainage or defrost procedures, and other site requirements before installation.
The freeze dryer, tray dryer, and vacuum pump should be installed and operated according to Labconco and Edwards instructions.
Customers can contact American Instrument Exchange before shipment to discuss site requirements and system configuration.
Related Equipment
Laboratories using the Labconco FreeZone 6 may also require additional freeze-drying glassware, compatible vials and stoppers, vacuum accessories, temperature probes, replacement seals, cold traps, sample-preparation equipment, balances, ultra-low temperature freezers, laboratory freezers, recirculating chillers, and other equipment used in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research workflows.
American Instrument Exchange supplies new and refurbished freeze dryers and a broad range of laboratory equipment for sample preparation, cold storage, concentration, purification, and research applications.
Labconco FreeZone 6 with Stoppering Tray Dryer FAQs
What is included with this Labconco FreeZone 6 system?
The AIE system includes a Labconco FreeZone 6 Console Freeze Dryer, Labconco Stoppering Tray Dryer, and Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump.
What is the collector capacity?
The FreeZone 6 collector has a 6-liter ice holding capacity.
Does 6 liters mean the system can process 6 liters of sample per cycle?
Not necessarily. The 6-liter specification refers to collector ice capacity. Actual sample capacity depends on solvent content, fill volume, containers, drying conditions, and other process variables.
How cold does the collector get?
This FreeZone 6 configuration provides a collector temperature down to approximately -84°C.
How many shelves does the tray dryer have?
The stoppering tray dryer provides three processing shelves.
How large are the shelves?
Each shelf measures approximately 16.5 inches wide × 12 inches deep and provides approximately 196 square inches of processing area.
What is the total shelf area?
With all three shelves installed, the system provides approximately 588 square inches of nominal processing area.
What is the shelf temperature range?
The tray dryer provides programmable shelf temperatures from approximately -40°C to +40°C.
How accurately is shelf temperature controlled?
Labconco specifies control of the circulating shelf fluid to approximately ±1°C of the selected set point.
Can the system run programmed lyophilization cycles?
Yes. The stoppering tray dryer supports programmable ramp and hold profiles with up to 30 stored programs and as many as 16 segments per program.
Can this freeze dryer stopper vials under vacuum?
Yes. The tray dryer incorporates a mechanism for stoppering compatible vials and serum bottles while they remain under vacuum.
Does stoppering under vacuum guarantee sterility?
No. Sterility depends on the complete preparation, processing, environmental-control, validation, and handling procedure. The stoppering mechanism alone does not establish sterility.
Does the stoppering mechanism require compressed air?
No. The mechanism uses atmospheric pressure to inflate its diaphragm, so a separate compressed-gas supply is not required for stoppering.
Can gas be introduced into the chamber?
The tray dryer includes a 1/8-inch OD backfill port for user-supplied air or appropriate gas.
Does the system monitor sample temperature?
Yes. The stoppering tray dryer provides three probes that can be used for monitoring sample or shelf temperatures.
What vacuum pump is included?
This system includes an Edwards nXDS10iC dry scroll vacuum pump.
What is the advantage of a dry scroll vacuum pump?
Dry scroll pumps operate without oil as the pumping medium, eliminating routine vacuum-pump oil changes and avoiding oil backstreaming from an oil-sealed pump.
Is this a production freeze dryer?
It is better characterized as a research, development, and pilot-scale lyophilization system. Suitability for a specific production process depends on throughput, validation, regulatory, and process requirements.
Can it be used for pharmaceutical development?
Yes. Its controlled shelves, programmable cycles, monitoring, data logging, and stoppering capabilities make it well suited to pharmaceutical formulation and lyophilization process-development work.
Can it freeze dry biological materials?
Yes, when the specific formulation and material are suitable for lyophilization and an appropriate drying protocol has been developed.
Can it process organic solvents?
The -84°C collector provides broader solvent capability than a -50°C collector, but solvent compatibility must be confirmed for the specific system materials, vacuum pump, and formulation before use.
Does the system automatically validate a lyophilization process?
No. Programmable controls and data logging support process development and documentation, but process validation and regulatory compliance remain the responsibility of the laboratory.
Does American Instrument Exchange test the system?
Yes. AIE tests refurbished freeze-drying equipment and installed system components before shipment.
Does the system include a warranty?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange includes a 90-day warranty with this refurbished system.
