Uncompromising in all disciplines of laboratory analysis

With the new 2/2 and 3/2-way valve type 6724, Bürkert introduces a media-separated micro valve that switches particularly quickly, quietly, precisely, and reliably.

Principally, the requirements for fluid control in small spaces do not differ from larger designs: high chemical resistance, excellent washability, switching speed, lifespan, tightness, and piping capacity are the various features that matter. At the upcoming trade fair COMPAMED, Bürkert will present a unique media-separated rocking valve type 6724, which far exceeds the performance of typical microvalves. With a switching time of 3 ms, an above-average lifespan of up to 30 million switching cycles, and a power consumption of 1 W, the microvalve is ideally suited for laboratory and medical applications. The new 2/2 and 3/2-way valve type 6724 is part of the WhisperValve series introduced last year by Bürkert, which switches flows very quietly.

Noise can become a burden. Especially when it occurs in places that require silence, such as in medical environments or laboratories. The WhisperValve series responds with a newly designed actuator, eliminating the typical metal-to-metal contact of a solenoid valve. Less than 30 dB can be heard from the new actuator concept, which, for example, in in-vitro diagnostics or analysis areas, relieves patients and staff. If that's still too loud, the valve can be supplemented with a simple electronic circuit that makes the valve almost silent with a switching noise below 20 dB. In addition to nearly silent switching, users also benefit from the lightweight design of the series. With a compact design of 8.9 mm width and a nominal size of 1.2 mm, applications on dosing arms, pipetting arms, or dosing robots are possible without reducing fluidic performance.

Unique media-separated rocking valve

In addition to its low noise level, the new valve addresses areas where others stop. This becomes particularly clear in the electrical power consumption. In continuous operation, the valve requires a maximum power of 1 W. A value that, compared to competitors with similar fluidic performance data, is 3.3 W and is reduced to 1 W after switching with additional power reduction electronics. While other devices require consideration of switching-on and waiting times in the process flow, the type 6724 allows more analyses per hour thanks to a energy-efficient drive and a 100% duty cycle. Faster switching times mean higher dosing accuracy in microfluidics. Thanks to a new actuation principle, activation times of less than 3 ms are possible. Typical media-separated valves on the market have times of 15 to 25 ms. With this extraordinary performance, dosing amounts can be reduced and accuracy increased. With a maximum operating pressure of 3 bar, another feature of the analysis valve becomes apparent, as this is usually at 2 bar.

The smaller the components—and this applies not only to analysis and dosing technology—the easier it is to bring the technology to the point of use or, in the case of medical technology, to the point of care. Possible applications of the media-separated microvalve include clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, urine tests, dialysis, ventilators, and within dosing systems for pharmaceuticals. In the 3-way version, it is ideal for use with syringe pumps. But it is also suitable for industrial applications such as inkjet printers. Thanks to its modular design and the possible material variants for the housing (PEEK and PPS) as well as for the membrane (FFKM, EPDM, and FKM), the microvalve can be used for virtually all liquids and gases, whether neutral or aggressive, in the fields of life sciences and industrial applications.

From components to system solutions

Microfluidics is a buzzword that has continuously evolved from an idea over nearly 25 years. Processes of large analyzers, printers, beverage filling machines, and laboratory technology all benefit from increasingly miniaturized applications. Bürkert consolidates its expertise in handling liquids and gases in the smallest space within the Micro segment, offering customers individual solutions for flow rates ranging from a fraction of a microliter to several liters per minute. Through a combination of dosing accuracy, lifespan, media separation, and switching speed, the new WhisperValve series, which is being expanded gradually, more than meets these requirements.