Custom-designed rotary valve

Custom-designed rotary valves from Omnifit have helped the manufacturer of a DNA analysis instrument solve a seemingly intractable problem with a high viscosity fluid transfer

The instrument, which uses very high viscosity fluids, needed inert valves with sufficient sheer force to cut through the fluid, acting as shut off valves.

Solenoid valves were found to have insufficient force for the exacting application.

The solution from Omnifit was a 1mm bore custom-designed rotary valve with a stainless steel rotor for torsional strength, a Tefzel liner for chemical inertness, and a PEEK body for rigidity.

The shape of the rotor was carefully profiled to give a clean cut through the fluid ensuring an instant start/stop to the flow.

The valve can operate up to very high pressures (1000 psi) and is controlled by TTL or RS232 protocols.

Optical encoders are used to provide precise port positioning, enabling maximum flow of the fluid every time.

The valve was designed to specifically meet the user performance requirements, with initial proposals being followed by prototypes for the customer to test.

In order to meet US FDA validation requirements, extended life testing was undertaken by Omnifit and, once the final design was agreed, the valves were manufactured to meet the user Kanban delivery requirements.

Omnifit, one of the world leading manufacturers of inert fluid transfer components, can design, prototype and manufacture manual and electric valves, bottle caps, tubing sets and chromatography columns for many different analytical and biotechnology instrumentation applications.

The company can deliver to schedule, Kanban or JIT requirements.

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