Tiny DC motors drive high-speed pipettes

With the aid of maxon's small, powerful brushed DC motors, Intellepro has developed an innovative compact multi probe pipette system to speed up research.

The new pipette system is 30% more effective than traditional pipette automation and will allow labs to process samples more quickly and efficiently than ever before.
While the concept is simple enough, several significant design challenges needed to be surmounted in order for the system to work in practice. One of the most important requirements was adequate motor thrust, enough to overcome pierceable foil and caps, while the device's acceleration and deceleration speeds needed to be slow enough to prevent liquid from splattering.
maxon RE13 DC brushed motors were chosen to satisfy the size and torque requirements of the end product. The RE13 motors offer the user up to 2.8 mNm of torque. They also work within an ambient temperature range from -20 to 65 degrees C.
These moving coil motors, with Neodymium magnets, are particularly designed for long life, low electrical noise, and high efficiency.
Smoothness of operation and freedom from cogging was also critical to avoid impeding the motion of the pipette probe, leading to measuring errors. The RE13 DC motor's ironless rotor design removes this issue, enabling the motor to be controlled easily and accurately.
The planetary gear reduction and encoders integral to the system allow the motors to facilitate excellent servo control and minimal backlash, resulting in high positioning accuracy and long life.
According to Don Rich, IntellePro's project engineer, "Without the power and compactness of the maxon motors this product could not have been built."
For further information on maxon's products and services, contact maxon's team of UK engineers on 0118 973 3337 or email salesuk@maxonmotor.com.

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