How can a pump push out liquid at just 0.008 nL/min? And why does one speed give a different flow in a different syringe?
These facts come from DK INFUSETEK. They make syringe pumps in Shanghai. The numbers are for the ISPLab01-Pro, a lab syringe pump. It is for non-medical use.
How does a syringe pump work? You choose a syringe and how much liquid to send. The pump pushes the plunger at a set speed. This is called linear speed. The flow equals linear speed times the inside cross-section area of the syringe.
The Four Main Parts
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Part or setting
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Its job
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What Infusetek states
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Drive
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Moves the plunger
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Stroke resolution 0.039 μm/μstep
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Slider
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Holds the plunger
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Position set by knob; one-hand loading
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Syringe
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Sets the cross-section
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Inner diameter picked from a built-in list or typed in
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Controller
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Sets the dose
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Three metering methods
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How Does a Syringe Pump Work, Step by Step?
A syringe pump works in five easy steps.
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Choose your syringe from the list or enter the inside diameter of your syringe.
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Decide how you want to set the dosage.
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Select a mode, for example, infusion or withdrawal.
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The plunger is moved at the appropriate speed by the pump.
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The flow rate is the pace at which the liquid flows out.
You can change the flow rate while the pump runs. You do not need to stop it.
What Parts Move the Plunger?
Infusetek’s product guide lists the major pieces. The syringe pump consists of a stepper motor with a driver, a screw, and a bracket. Together, they push the plunger.
What the Stepper Motor Does
A stepper motor rotates in tiny increments. Microstepping breaks each step into increasingly smaller steps. That provides for a seamless motion. A lead screw converts it into a linear push. The screw pushes a pusher block. Infusetek calls this the Slider.
What "0.039 μm per μstep" Means
Stroke resolution: Smallest motion the drive can make. For the ISPLab01-Pro, it is 0.039 μm/μstep. That’s around 39 nanometers. A μstep is one microscopic step taken via microstepping.
The Slider and Plunger Mount
The block that the lead screw pushes is the slider. It keeps the plunger. A knob determines its placement. You can load or reload a syringe with one hand. Special construction to match varied barrel shapes. The plunger mount keeps the syringe stable and solid.
Force and Blockage Protection
Linear force is how much force the pump can push the plunger. On ISPLab01-Pro, it is 12-45 kgf. This is how it’s done. The pump stops when the drive is obstructed. But it is also a warning.
What Is Linear Speed?
The linear speed is the distance the pusher block and plunger travel each minute. The range is 1 μm/min to 132 mm/min. The minimum change you are able to set is 1 μm/min. How fine each motion is is determined by the lead screw and microstepping. This little motion is converted to nanoliters via a very fine bore.”
Stroke, Accuracy, and Reverse Distance
Maximum stroke: 140 mm.
Accuracy: the error is ±0.3% or less. This holds when the stroke is at least 30% of the maximum, which is 42 mm.
Reverse distance: 0.01–10 mm.
Why Does Syringe Inner Diameter Matter?
The syringe inner diameter is the width of the interior of the syringe. It determines the surface the plunger is pushing on. The same speed results in a different flow in a different syringe. At 10 mm/min, a 1 mL plastic syringe delivers about one tenth the flow of a 10 mL plastic syringe.
Reference Flow Ranges From Infusetek
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Syringe
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Inner diameter (mm)
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Reference flow range
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Plastic 1 mL
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4.70
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0.0173 μL/min – 2.2889 mL/min
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Plastic 10 mL
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14.90
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0.1742 μL/min – 23.0046 mL/min
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Plastic 150 mL
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40.00
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1.2566 μL/min – 165.8712 mL/min
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Glass 1 mL
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4.60
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0.0167 μL/min – 2.2033 mL/min
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Micro 0.5 μL
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0.10
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0.008 nL/min – 1.0296 μL/min
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Micro 100 μL
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1.60
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2 nL/min – 265.4 μL/min
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The pump supports syringes from 0.5 μL to 150 mL. Each range uses two units, just as the site writes them.
What Is the Flow Rate Formula?
The flow rate formula is: flow rate = linear speed × internal cross-sectional area of the syringe. This is how Infusetek states it for the ISPLab01-Pro.
Two Examples With Real Numbers
Plastic 1 mL (4.70 mm bore): the area is approximately 17.35 mm². At 132 mm/min, the flow is approximately 2.29 mL/min. The site says 2.2889 mL/min.
Micro 0.5 μL (0.10 mm bore): the area is approximately 0.00785 mm². At 1 μm/min, the flow is approximately 0.0079 nL/min. The site says 0.008 nL/min.
This math is only approximate. It is a little off from the site's table because of rounding. Use the site's numbers when you plan a run.
Unit tip: 1 mm³ equals 1 μL.
Full range: 0.008 nL/min to 165.871 mL/min with all supported syringes.
How Do You Tell the Pump What to Deliver?
A metering method is how you tell the pump the dose. There are three.
Metering Methods
Flow rate-time, volume-time, or volume-flow rate are the options available to you. Volume is shown by the pump in real time. It may be adjusted as well.
Working Modes
Infusion, withdrawal, infusion-withdrawal, withdrawal-infusion, and continuous are the five modes available on the pump.
Saved Modes
The pump can save up to 60 common modes. This saves time when you repeat a job.
What Keeps the Flow Safe and Steady?
The pump safeguards every run with its built-in features. The exterior is made of stainless steel.
Protection and Control Features
Blockage stop and alarm: the pump stops if the drive is blocked.
Power-off memory: after a power cut, the pump runs or stops as you set it.
Screen: a 4.3-inch color touch screen with a keypad.
OC gate output: shows the status and direction.
External control: start/stop signals and a foot-pedal option.
Serial link: RS232/RS485 (Modbus RTU).
What Are the ISPLab01-Pro Specs?
The table below lists the specs from the site.
ISPLab01-Pro Specification
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Specification
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Value
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Working mode
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Infusion, withdrawal, infusion-withdrawal, withdrawal-infusion, continuous
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Channel
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Single
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Syringe range
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0.5 μL–150 mL, all materials
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Linear speed
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1 μm/min–132 mm/min
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Linear speed resolution
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1 μm/min
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Linear force
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12–45 kgf, adjustable
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Maximum stroke
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140 mm
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Stroke resolution
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0.039 μm/μstep
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Accuracy
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Error ≤ ±0.3% (stroke ≥ 30% of maximum)
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Reverse distance
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0.01–10 mm
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Common modes
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Up to 60 saved
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Interface
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RS232/RS485 (Modbus RTU)
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Power
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AC 90–264 V / 65 W
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Operating temperature
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0–40 °C
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Humidity
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<80%
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The Sister Model
The sister model ISPLab01 lists 12–25 kgf and 0.026 μm/μstep. Do not mix its numbers with the ISPLab01-Pro numbers.
Where Are Syringe Pumps Used?
You may get small, consistent flows with the help of a syringe pump. The services provided by Infusetek include microfluidics, electrospinning, coating, flow chemistry, batteries, and dispensing.
Pages on electrospinning, microfluidics, university laboratories, and life sciences are available on the site. 3D cell printing and electrospinning were among the case studies.
How Do You Pick the Right Syringe Pump?
Check the syringe, channels, force, and control you need.
Quick Checklist
Syringe range: do your syringes fit within 0.5 μL–150 mL?
Channels: do you need one channel or more?
Force: is 12–45 kgf enough for your liquid?
Control: do you need RS232/RS485 (Modbus RTU), a foot pedal, or the touch screen?
Infusetek offers 5 product lines: laboratory, continuous flow, modular, industrial, and accessories. The CFSP-I/CU-I ranges from 0.06 μL/min to 70 mL/min. SP60-8A is a multi-channel pump with a rotary valve.
Syringe Pump or Peristaltic Pump?
Peristaltic pumps are ideal for handling complicated liquids and high flows, according to the Infusetek handbook. Work requiring more precision with less pulsing is better suited to syringe pumps.
About Infusetek
DK INFUSETEK (度科工业科技（上海）有限公司) is a professional syringe pump supplier. Its headquarters and R&D center are in Shanghai. Its production base is in northern China. It designs, customizes, and makes devices for micro-fluid handling.
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Address: No.355, Building B, Hongqiao World Center, Yinggang Dong Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai 201700, China
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Email: sales@infusetek.com
FAQs
How does a syringe pump work?
A syringe pump moves the plunger of a syringe at a pre-set pace. This is known as linear speed. The liquid flows out at that speed times the area within the syringe . ISPLab01-Pro lets you alter the flow rate while it is running. You don’t have to shut off the pump.
How do you calculate syringe pump flow rate?
Multiply the linear speed by the internal area of the cross-section of the syringe. Speed and diameter in millimeters. Note: 1 mm3 is equivalent to 1 μL. For example, 10 mm/min in a 1 mL plastic syringe results in around 173 μL/min. The answer is in microL/min.
Why does syringe inner diameter matter?
The inside diameter dictates the region the plunger acts on. A wider syringe delivers greater flow at the same speed rate. A 10 mL plastic syringe delivers about 1.74 mL/min at a rate of 10 mm/min. 1 mL plastic syringe ~173 μL/min
What is linear speed in a syringe pump?
The linear speed is how rapidly the pump pushes the plunger. It is measured in distance per minute. ISPLab01-Pro has a range from 1 µm/min to 132 mm/min. Multiply the speed by the interior area of the syringe to obtain the flow rate.
Can a syringe pump withdraw as well as infuse?
Yes. The ISPLab01-Pro is able to withdraw as well as inject. That implies it can suck liquid in, and push liquid out." It has five settings and can store up to 60 popular options for repeated operations. Before you start set the mode.
Is the ISPLab01-Pro for medical use?
No. ISPLab01-Pro for non-medical usage. Here's what Infusetek states on the product site. Its a lab pump for applications like microfluidics and flow chemistry. You need a gadget that is manufactured and marketed for patient care. Please verify this before you purchase.
Conclusion
A syringe pump turns a steady plunger speed into a set flow. The syringe bore decides how big that flow is. If you know the speed, the bore, and the flow rate formula, you can check any setup on paper first.
Duko Industrial Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. offers the non-medical ISPLab01-Pro Laboratory Syringe Pump. It shares its speed range, force, stroke, and flow tables for each syringe. Read the datasheet PDF, start an online consultation, or use the contact page.