Memmert UF260 Universal Oven, heating and drying oven with forced air circulation, 256 litres, up to 300 °C

The Memmert UF260 universal oven bridges the gap between compact benchtop units and the very large floor-standing models in the range: 256 litres of internal volume, a temperature range of 20 to 300 °C and an electronically controlled fan that ensures even heat distribution even when several batches are running simultaneously. With up to 9 shelves and a maximum total load capacity of 300 kg, the UF260 offers sufficient capacity for routine laboratory operations with varying sample quantities, without taking up the floor space of a floor-standing oven in the 449- or 749-litre class. It can be connected to either 230 V or 115 V, at 50/60 Hz in each case.

Forced air circulation for even heat distribution in a medium-sized chamber

The UF260’s fan, which is electronically controllable in 10 per cent increments, actively distributes heat throughout the interior rather than allowing it to rise naturally, as is the case with a natural convection oven. As a result, the UF260 reliably achieves its operating temperature range – from at least 10 °C above room temperature up to 300 °C – even when several wire shelves are occupied simultaneously. A DIN Class A Pt100 temperature sensor with 4-wire measurement ensures a setting accuracy of 0.1 °C up to 99.9 °C and 0.5 °C from 100 °C onwards. Preheated fresh air is introduced via an electronically adjustable exhaust air damper; the exhaust air outlet with a throttle valve can also be controlled electronically.

ControlCOCKPIT SingleDISPLAY: Operation, programming and data acquisition

The UF260 is controlled via the ControlCOCKPIT SingleDISPLAY, an adaptive, multifunctional digital PID microprocessor controller with a high-resolution TFT colour graphic display. The following can be set: temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, the speed of the recirculation fan, the position of the exhaust air damper, the programme duration, as well as the time zone and summer/winter time. A digital countdown timer with target time can be set from 1 minute to 99 days; the SetpointWait function only starts the actual process time once the setpoint temperature has actually been reached. The integrated data logger can be read, managed and organised via the Ethernet interface; a time-limited trial version of the AtmoCONTROL software is available for download to help you get started.

Capacity and dimensions of the Memmert UF260 universal chamber

The interior of the UF260 measures 640 x 800 x 500 mm and accommodates 2 electropolished stainless steel wire shelves as standard; up to 9 shelves can be fitted in total. The cabinet can be loaded with up to 300 kg; a maximum of 20 kg is permitted per shelf. The external dimensions of the cabinet are 824 x 1,183 x 684 mm, and the net weight is approximately 110 kg. The interior consists of easy-to-clean stainless steel, reinforced by deep-drawn ribbing, with protected, integrated 4-sided all-round heating; the housing is made of textured stainless steel with a fully galvanised sheet steel rear panel. Unlike the 449- and 749-litre models, the UF260 is not listed as a mobile version in the data sheet; it is designed for a fixed installation on a laboratory bench or base frame.

Selection guide: choosing the right size from the UF range

Within the Memmert UF range, there is a difference of almost 1,000 litres in internal volume between the smallest and largest models, ranging from 53 to 1,060 litres. In addition to the volume, the footprint and the number of shelves required are key factors in making the right choice.

The UF260 is the obvious choice when the Memmert UF160 universal cabinet (161 litres, same footprint as the UF110) reaches its capacity limit, but a significantly larger footprint is not yet available. Those requiring even more volume and additional mobility will find this in the Memmert UF450 universal cabinet (449 litres). All sizes in the range can be found in the LT Laborhandel range of climate cabinets and incubators.

Distinction: TwinDISPLAY variant and natural convection counterpart

The UF260 described here operates with SingleDISPLAY and a single Pt100 sensor. For processes with higher safety requirements, such as unattended overnight runs, the Memmert UF260plus universal cabinet additionally offers a second Pt100 sensor for redundant monitoring, TwinDISPLAY with two displays, and the HeatBALANCE and AutoSAFETY functions. For those who can do without active air circulation – because dust-sensitive or airflow-sensitive samples are laid out in the open – the Memmert UN260 universal cabinet offers the same housing design but with natural convection instead of an air turbine.

Safety in accordance with DIN 12880 for unattended operation

In addition to the adjustable electronic temperature monitoring, the UF260 features a mechanical temperature limiter of protection class 1 in accordance with DIN 12880, which switches off the heating element when the temperature reaches approximately 20 °C above the maximum cabinet temperature. An integrated self-diagnostic system assists with fault-finding, whilst the calibration function allows for the readjustment of three freely selectable temperature values. The unit bears CE and EAC markings as well as a UL mark.

Installation, operation and disposal

For operation, a minimum clearance of 15 cm from the wall and a maximum clearance of 20 cm from the ceiling must be maintained; a minimum clearance of 5 cm from the side to the wall or an adjacent unit is sufficient. The unit may be installed at altitudes of up to 2,000 m above sea level at an ambient temperature of 5 °C to 40 °C and a relative humidity of no more than 80 per cent, non-condensing. Electrically, the UF260 is designed for overvoltage category II and pollution degree 2; it must only be transported in an upright position. The interior, made of easy-to-clean stainless steel, can be cleaned using standard laboratory cleaning agents. As an electrical appliance, the UF260 is subject to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act at the end of its service life and must not be disposed of with household waste; see Regulatory Information below.

Typical areas of application

With an internal volume of 256 litres and active air circulation, the Memmert UF260 universal cabinet is suitable for laboratories that regularly run several batches simultaneously without the need to install a separate floor-standing cabinet.

• Drying several sample series in parallel during routine operations
• Tempering, ageing and baking of material samples in small batches
• Testing and curing in quality assurance
• Material testing in industrial manufacturing
• A second unit alongside a smaller UF model when the sample volume increases

Investment rationale: Equipment tailored to the specific purpose

The UF260 is supplied with 2 electropolished stainless steel wire mesh shelves; the cabinet is designed to accommodate up to 9 shelves. Users who regularly load multiple levels simultaneously should order additional wire mesh shelves or perforated sheets. A fully transparent glass door is available as an option for visual inspection without opening the door, as are interior lighting, an internal power socket and a reversible door hinge. Those wishing to operate the UF260 unattended overnight whilst utilising the redundancy of a second temperature sensor with AutoSAFETY monitoring should opt for the Memmert UF260plus universal cabinet. A USB-to-Ethernet adapter and AtmoCONTROL software licences are available for continuous data logging. For pharmaceutical or standards-compliant applications, we arrange calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ and maintenance services, including those accredited by DAkkS.

Frequently asked questions before purchase

How many samples can the UF260 hold at any one time?
Two wire shelves are included as standard; up to 9 inserts, each with a maximum load of 20 kg, are possible, giving a total load capacity of up to 300 kg.

Is the UF260 on castors?
No, the data sheet does not list any castors for this model; the UF260 is designed for a fixed location on a laboratory bench or base frame.

Is SingleDISPLAY sufficient for routine operation?
For most applications, yes. However, if you wish to run unattended overnight cycles with redundant temperature monitoring, the Memmert UF260plus universal chamber with TwinDISPLAY is a better choice.

What is the accuracy of the temperature control?
The DIN Class A Pt100 sensor operates using a 4-wire measurement and achieves an accuracy of 0.1 °C up to 99.9 °C; from 100 °C onwards, the accuracy is 0.5 °C.

How does the UF260 differ from the smaller UF160?
Both use the same forced-air circulation technology and SingleDISPLAY; however, the UF260 offers greater capacity with 256 litres instead of 161 litres and 9 shelves instead of 8, whilst occupying a larger footprint.

Is a natural convection version available in this size?
Yes, the Memmert UN260 universal cabinet shares the same housing as the UF260 but operates without an air turbine.

Is the UF260 suitable for continuous operation overnight?
The mechanical temperature limiter, which complies with Protection Class 1 according to DIN 12880, switches off the heating when the temperature exceeds the set point by approximately 20 °C and is designed for unattended operation.

Technical details

Contents of delivery

• 1x Memmert UF260 universal cabinet
• Factory calibration certificate (calibration at 160 °C)
• Fully insulated stainless steel door with 2-point locking (compression door seal)
• 2x stainless steel grating, electropolished

Regulatory information

The Memmert UF260 universal cabinet is registered with the Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register (Stiftung EAR) under WEEE registration number DE 66812464.

Customised requirements & procurement service

Options available for the UF260 include full-view glass doors, interior lighting and a power socket, a reversible door hinge, lockable doors, a potential-free alarm contact and MobileALERT remote monitoring. For data acquisition, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter and AtmoCONTROL software licences – including an FDA-compliant version – are available. In addition, we arrange calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ and maintenance services, some of which are DAkkS-accredited. Do you require any of these accessories, a TwinDISPLAY version, or assistance in selecting the right universal cabinet for your application? Through our procurement service, LT Laborhandel will be happy to assist you with procurement and configuration.