FAQ

The Smart Pump uses tried and true technology developed over 150 years ago! As a peristaltic pump, tubing is compressed between rolling elements that squeeze liquid through the tubing. This technology is used in many common reagent dispensers found in labs, such as the Combi Multidrop.

What makes the Smart Pump special is coupling this reliable technology with modern control and logic. The Smart Pump can be controlled by a physical toggle switch, through our custom software, or even though a simple command line executable.

We designed the Smart Pump so it would not need a liquid level sensor. Other pumps require a sensor to avoid overfilling the reagent reservoir. While that feedback loop is logical, it has a few drawbacks. First, it requires cable management for the sensor and means there’s one more thing on your liquid handler deck taking space. Second, liquid level sensors may not be compatible with certain liquids. We wanted the Smart Pump to not have that limitation. Third, and perhaps most importantly, if a sensor fails it can have catastrophic consequences. If the sensor fails, other pumps might not shut off and this would lead to flooding of your liquid handler.

Instead of relying on a liquid level sensor, the Smart Pump was designed to deliver (or remove) just the right amount of liquid at the right time. And with a liquid calibration feature in our custom software, you can fine tune the control to whatever liquid you’re using in your application.

The LEDs serve a few functions:

—Through the control software you can test the COM port to establish communication with the Smart Pump.

—When the Smart Pump is first turned on the LEDs light as a visual clue that it powered up successfully.

—When the toggle switch direction changes, the LEDs indicate which direction the pump will operate.

—A single red LED indicates the pump speed.

—During the pumping operation the LEDs indicate the progress.

—Eye candy! Let’s be honest—they look pretty cool!

There are three ways to control the Smart Pump:

1. The pump can be manually operated via a toggle switch. However, its smart functionality enables the user to program the bi-directional switch through accompanying software to dispense a customized volume. For instance, some users have configured one direction of the switch to fill the reservoir and prime the tubing, while the opposite direction has been programmed with a distinct volume to drain all contents at the end of the day.

2. The pump can be controlled through the custom control software. Through the software, you can set the speed and volume as well as calibrate the pump for each liquid you use.

3. The pump can be controlled through command line commands. This is how the Smart Pump can be controlled by your liquid handling software. For instance, in Method Manager 4, you add a step to run an executable and pass the appropriate parameters to the pump to indicate direction, speed, and volume.

The Smart Pump moves liquid, plain and simple. A single Smart Pump can move liquid to a reagent reservoir or remove it from a waste reservoir. Please see our kits that can be paired with the Smart Pump for these functions.

Two Smart Pumps can be used together for tip washing applications where one pump is bringing fresh wash solution to a tip washing station and the other pump is removing used wash solution. Because you have control over pump speed you can be sure that the tip wash station will not overflow.

Exypnos Automation is committed to making smart lab devices that expand the functionality of the expensive equipment already in your lab and that eliminate the headaches/problems that we’ve experienced ourselves with other products. Stay tuned as we roll out additional products!