Whisper-quiet precision for modern analytical devices

Today’s biotechnology and diagnostics equipment needs to balance the requirements of precision engineering, regulatory compliance, automation, reliability and usability. Laboratory instruments used in biotechnology and pathology labs must deliver accurate and repeatable results while operating reliably in demanding clinical environments — all while keeping costs manageable and supporting evolving diagnostic technologies.

In addition, the field of biotechnology is evolving rapidly, with new diagnostic techniques emerging regularly. Companies developing analytical instruments need to support emerging advancements in staining techniques, molecular diagnostics and digital pathology workflows; ensuring that instrument platforms remain adaptable and future-ready is an ongoing challenge.

Such instruments need to control very small volumes of liquids or gases with extreme accuracy, and even tiny deviations can affect measurement results or calibration accuracy. At the same time there is a major trend in laboratory equipment towards more compact and portable instruments, so internal components need to deliver increasingly high performance while occupying minimal space.

There is also a drive towards creating better work environments for laboratory workers. Traditional solenoid valves found in laboratory equipment to control fluids can generate noticeable clicking sounds during switching. In analytical instruments that may contain dozens of valves operating simultaneously, this can create significant acoustic noise, so valves that generate minimal sound are highly desirable, and given that analytical instruments often run thousands or even millions of cycles over their lifetime, it is also important to minimise any downtime due to component failure that can disrupt laboratory operations and increase maintenance costs.

Whisper-quiet compact valves

Bürkert’s Whisper Valves are designed to meet these demands, providing miniature, space-saving solutions that deliver reliable, whisper-quite control for the most critical fluid control applications.

Whisper Valves are compact electromagnetic micro-valves designed for highly precise dosing and fluid control. Their name comes from their extremely low switching noise, achieved through Bürkert’s proprietary actuator technology that offers a switching noise of less than 20 dB(A) in some models. Milliseconds-level switching enables precise micro-dosing and rapid fluid control in a compact footprint, with valves measuring only between 7 mm and 18 mm wide. Chemical resistance and media separation also make them suitable for aggressive chemicals or sterile processes, while still offering a long service life, often exceeding 10 million switching cycles.

Sensor free, self-diagnosing technology

Developed specifically for its Whisper Valves, Bürkert’s ValveInsight diagnostic and monitoring technology allows the valves to not only switch fluids on and off, but to also monitor for changes without external sensors, and provide process diagnostics, further simplifying integration, improving reliability and allowing for the design of more compact instruments.

By analysing the electrical current profile when the valve is activated through the precise measurement the inrush current of the electrodynamic drive, internal algorithms can analyse this signal to determine whether the valve switched correctly, if switching behaviour is deviating from normal operation, and early signs of wear or malfunction, which can then be passed to the higher-level control system.

Ready to elevate your instrument design?

With Burkert Whisper Valves, Analytical instrument makers gain precision, reliability, and a partnership focused on success. Discover how Bürkert can help deliver breakthrough laboratory and medical devices — visit burkert.com.au or contact the team to discuss your project.

Image credit: iStock.com/mashuk