Liquid Handling
Useful Links
Here is a link to fuller descriptions of our syringe pump and automated valve.
Here is a link to the user manual for the syringe pump and valve.
Here is a link to a page for our autotitrator. Here is a link to a page for a DIY lab robot.
Pumps, Valves, Electronic Hardware, Firmware and Software
A full liquid handling solution requires both hardware and software. This can be illustrated by considering the requirements of an automated titrator.
The photo on the left shows the basic hardware of our automatic titrator, the titraumatic. This setup includes a syringe pump, an automated valve, a pH probe, fluidics (tubing and fittings) and the required electronic hardware. The electronic hardware includes a power supply to run the motors, voltage regulation, a microcontroller system, and a sensor monitoring system for the pH probe.
In addition to hardware, the full solution must include microcontroller firmware and a user interface to input commands to the microcontroller, display the output and save the data to the host computer.
Syringe Pump
We have updated our Syringe Pump. The button below will take you to an extended discussion of our pump
We recently updated our syringe pump design.
Hardware Requirements:
The circuit board layout for our syringe pump / auto titrator is compatible for use in our autotitrator with minimal modification. In addition to a Brittish Telecommunications Analog (BTA) connector for the pH probe, the titrator circuit board incorporates a voltage regulator and connectors needed to control an automated valve. If you wish to use your pump as an autotitrator, please contact us before ordering.
In addition to our Syringe Pump, you will need a pH probe that you can purchase here from Vernier Instruments. In 2024, the pH probe retailed for $99. While it is entirely possible to run titrations with out the automatic valve, this feature allows the user to set up to automate the fill / dispense features. The automated valve assembly uses a valve from Hamilton Co (costs ~$110), a servo (~$20) and some 3D printed hardware.
Tubing and connections
To connect a syringe pump to a valve you need a leur to tubing connection, tubing, and tube to valve connections. The valve body is tapped for 1/4" 28 thread per inch fittings. I used flangeless fittings and 1/16" OD tubing from Idex. Below are some items that Idex sells along with their SKU numbers and the price in late 2024. I recommend getting more tubing and fittings than you think you will need.
Description SKU Price each
1/16” od tubing, 5ft 1516 24.63
¼” x 28 tpi nut for 1/16” XP-201 3.45
Ferrule for 1/16” tubing P-200 1.73
Leur to tubing conn. P-835 4.88
T assembly P-712 42.67