Excellent response time, pulseless and highly stable
Modular OEM Microfluidics Flow Controller
F-OEM
Our F-OEM microfluidics flow controller offers our highest performance, efficiency, and widest pressure and flow rate ranges to support the most demanding industrial applications, including microfluidic and nanofluidic applications (microchannels, nanochannels, capillaries, lab on a chip…). It is a standalone, modular platform that will perform complex fluidic operations. Discover our latest OEM microfluidics flow controller.
Main benefits
Best performance- Flexible
Configurable with pressure and switch control modules
- Compact
Standalone platform adapted to industrial uses
- Contamination-free
Not in contact with liquid
- Cost-effective
Reduced reagent consumption
Features OF OUR OEM Microfluidics Flow Controller
All-in-one OEM microfluidics flow controller
Pressure modules (positive pressure, negative pressure, or push-pull modules), microfluidic valve modules, and flow sensors are directly connected to the main platform.
Modular
The platform allows one to choose the number of pressure modules (with different ranges, if required), valve modules, and flow sensors. Combine up to 8 pressure modules on a single F-OEM platform.
Fluigent latest pressure/flow control technology
The F-OEM makes use of Fluigent’s patented Fastab 2 technology. It provides the best response time, pulseless, and highly stable flow conditions for high precision industrial microfluidic applications. This OEM microfluidics flow controller allows optimal flow control with the reliability required for demanding industrial environments.
Largest range of pressure and flow rates
Supports both pressure control and direct volume flow rate control depending on user needs. The F-OEM range of modules allows for regulation of vacuum/pressure down to -800 mbar and up to 7 bar, with the possibility to use a push-pull module (-800 / +1 000 mbar). Liquid flow rate ranges from a few nL/min to 5 mL/min.
Related applications
All-in-one modular platform
Configure your own system: The F-OEM consists of a main board to which one can add pressure and switch control modules depending on the configuration required. Mixed pressure ranges can be connected to the same board (positive and negative pressures, and Push-Pull).
Integrated flow control: To switch from pressure control to flow rate control, one can directly add a flow sensor from our industrial FS series to the OEM microfluidics flow controller without the need of an additional board. Flow-rates can be monitored or controlled using Fluigent DFC “self-learning” flow rate control algorithm.
Single gateway for industrial-grade microfluidic control: This OEM microfluidics flow controller can be used to control a pressure source and power other third-party devices required in the microfluidic system.
Best performance
The F-OEM Microfluidics Flow Controller makes use of the best combination of pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical elements associated with our new generation algorithm: Fluigent Direct Flow-rate Control (DFC) – a self-learning algorithm that performs continuous adjustment over the algorithm parameters based on the actual response time. Its improved reactivity allows countering, in real-time, the interactions between microfluidic channels in complex situations. There are many advantages to direct control:
- Adapted to cell culture or other experiments involving resistance variations: the algorithm adjusts its model to the setup resistance in real-time
- Save precious sample or reagent: reduced time to reach desired flow rates uses less liquid during a calibration step
- Save time with reduced settling time and no calibration
Configuration examples
Configuration 1: 2 pressure modules. Two pressure modules consisting of a 0 – 2000 mbar and -800 – + 1000 mbar are connected to the main F-OEM board for pressurizing two fluidic reservoirs, allowing for pressure-based fluid handling. No flow sensors. No switch modules. No microfluidic valves.
Configuration 2: 2 pressure modules – 2 flow sensors. Two pressure modules consisting of a 0 – 2000 mbar and -800 – + 1000 mbar are connected to the main F-OEM board for pressurizing two fluidic reservoirs, allowing for pressure-based fluid handling. Flow sensors are connected for flow rate monitoring and control.
Configuration 3: 3 pressure modules – 1 switch module. 3 pressure modules consisting of two 0 – 2000 mbar and a -800 – + 1000 mbar are connected to the main F-OEM board for pressurizing two fluidic reservoirs, allowing for pressure-based fluid handling. A switch module is also directly connected to the F-OEM main board, allowing for connecting a bidirectional 11-port / 10-way microfluidic valve for injection or selection of up to 10 different fluids (Fluigent M-X).
Specifications
A pneumatic path combined with Fluigent’s regulation algorithm has been developed to deliver regulated pressure from a pressure source. The principle of pressure actuation in microfluidic systems is shown in the figure. The benefits of this technology are listed below.
- Output pressures, flow rate, and valves can be controlled by using OxyGEN Fluigent software, or our Software Development Kit (SDK) for custom software applications.
- The OEM microfluidic pressure controllers immediately provide the requested pressures with very high stability thanks to the feedback loop.
- Connecting the pressure outputs to airtight reservoirs provides precise and smooth control of the sample flow into the microfluidic device.
PERFORMANCE OF OEM Microfluidics Flow Controller
| Pressure : 0 to 7000 mbar (101 psi) – required pressure supply 7100 mbar (103 psi) | |
| Pressure: 0 to 2000 mbar (29 psi) – required pressure supply 2100 mbar (30.4 psi) min, 2400 max | |
| Pressure: 0 to 1000 mbar (14.5 psi) – required pressure supply 1100 mbar (16 psi) min, 1300 max | |
| Pressure ranges | Pressure: 0 to 345 mbar (5 psi) – required pressure supply 1100 mbar (16 psi) (600 min, 1300 max) |
| Pressure: 0 to 69 mbar (0.9 psi) – required pressure supply 150 mbar (2.18 psi) | |
| Pressure: 0 to 25 mbar (0.36 psi) – required pressure supply 150 mbar (2.18 psi) | |
| Vacuum : -25 mbar (-0.36 psi) / -69 mbar (-0.9 psi) / -345 mbar (-5 psi) / -800 mbar – required vacuum -800 mbar (-11.6 psi) | |
| Push-Pull : -800 mbar (-11.6 psi) to 1000 mbar (14.5 psi) – required pressure 1100 mbar (16 psi) min and 1300 max and vacuum -800 mbar (-11.6 psi) (min) | |
| Pressure stability | 0.1% of full scale – CV (on measured values) |
| Flow control | Liquid flow rate sensor input, customizable to work with third party sensors (through SDK) |
| Switch and Valve control RJ45 | Control up to 4 x switches or valves per module – compatible with Fluigent 2 position switches and rotary valves (M-switch, L-switch, 2-switch) |
PNEUMATIC SPECIFICATIONS
| Pressurized media | Pressurized or bottled clean dry and non-corrosive or explosive gas (Ambient air, N2, Ar, CO2) (02 could be a thing, need to check) |
| Pressure or vaccum inlet connection | OD 4mm female push in fitting (on standard version, can be fittingless, then it is an M5 thread) |
| Pressure or vaccum outlet connection | OD 4mm female push in fitting (on standard version, can be fittingless, then it is an M5 thread) |
ELECTRICAL AND CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
| Power consumption | >1W groundable for F-OEM microfluidics flow controller (can be increased depending on peripherals, eg pump, fans etc) – 6W maximum per FEZ module, 48W maximum per SWEZ module (rotary valves ~ 12W) |
| Power source | External power, 2A or 7A available from standard, but custom can be accepted using MBPT terminal block connection |
| Connection – protocol | USB (standard board), RS232 (alternative board) + other protocols on demand |
| Flow sensor connection | Mini-USB connection |
| Switch and valve connection RJ45 | RJ45 female (or 2wire terminal block for SWEZ lite) |
| Switch connection lite version | Cable terminal 2 wire |
| Power and control for pressure source | 0-24VDC, digital controlled output 5 or 24 volts selectable |
| Build in power modules | 24 VDC – up to 7A (168W) maximum |
| Additional USB ports | 2 x USB2.0 ports (available only on the USB connection protocol version |
| Compatible Operated System (OS) | Windows, Linux, ARM, raspberry, MAC |
MECHANICAL AND OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
| Noise | Low noise <20 dB |
| Weight | 0.1 Kg (F-OEM OEM microfluidics flow controller), 0.4 Kg (per pressure module with manifold), 0.3 kg (per switch module) |
| Temperature and humidity | Up to 50°C (122 °F) and RH 95% |
| Size | See datasheet |
F-OEM components
| Integration board | Main electronic board. 4 slots for pressure or switch modules. Extension slots available |
| Pressure modules | • Pressure: 25 mbar (0.36 psi) / 69 mbar (0.9 psi) / 345 mbar (5 psi) / 1000 mbar (14.5 psi) / 2000 mbar (29 psi) / 7000 mbar (101 psi) • Vacuum: -25 mbar (-0.36 psi) / -69 mbar (-0.9 psi) / -345 mbar (-5 psi) / -800 mbar (11.6 psi) • “Push-Pull” pressure & vacuum module: -800 mbar (-11.6 psi) to 1000 mbar (14.5 psi) |
| Switch modules | F-OEM Switch control 4 x RJ45 ports |
Optional
| Prototype kit | USB cable, domino, electrical wires, 4 mm and 6 mm pneumatic tubing (4 m) |
| Power supply | Power supply 108 W if using a Switch module Power supply 36 W without using Switch modul |
| Pressure source | Positive pressure source with necessary tubing and fittings |
| Vacuum source | Negative pressure source with necessary tubing and fittings |
| Cooling fan | Cooling fan for pressure source |
| Inline air dryer | Air Pressure Source Cleaner |
| Pressure regulator | Pressure regulator if pressure of different ranges are used |
| Standoffs | On demand |
| Valve to board custom electrical + pneumatic length | On demand |
| Manifold fittings | On demand |
| Pneumatic inlet/outlet inner diameter | On demand |
| RS232 | On demand |
| FS series – bidirectional flow sensors (Flow sensor input integrated into the pressure control modules) | For flow-rate monitoring and control. We have a large range of flow sensors ranging from 0-1.5 µL/min to 0-5 mL/min. |
| Microfluidic valves (Directly connected to the switch control modules) | Inject and switch different flow paths. Valve and switch platform for directing the fluid flow, including bidirectional and rotary multi-port port valves – Fluigent 2-X: 3-port/2-way microfluidic valve – Fluigent MX: 11-port / 10-way microfluidic valve for injection or selection of up to 10 different fluids – Fluigent L-X: 6-port/2 position microfluidic valve. It is designed for precise sample injection or fluid recirculation in cell culture applications. |
OxyGEN
| Get full control of the setup in a single interface with plug and play capabilities available for all desktop OS, that allows control, monitoring, and automation features. |
| ver. 1.0.0.0 or more recent |
Software Development Kit
| Custom software application: Public SDK libraries are available on GitHub for all integration into the users’ proprietary software |
| ver. 21.0.0.0 or more recent |