Flushing Heads: The flushable valve for gas bottles

When processes take place with gases, there is often a risk for employees and the environment. Especially when it comes to poisonous, explosive or highly reactive gases that must not be released. Flushing Heads, the flushable valve for gas bottles, ensures that gas bottles can be exchanged safely.

Replace gas bottles – there is always a residual risk

If you change gas cylinders in your company, you know the problems: There are gas residues in the valves that are inevitably released. Depending on the gas, there is a high risk for your employees and also the environment. And certain gases must not escape under any circumstances.

Replace gas bottles safely with flushing heads

Flushing Heads, the flushable valve for gas bottles, solves these problems in an ingenious way. Instead of a conventional valve, a valve terminal with three valves is used, which are combined in the flushing head. A large connection leads to three outlets that you can open individually with valves.

But how does flushing heads work? Quite simply: One outlet leads to the process line, one is connected to nitrogen and one to a vacuum generator. In normal operation, only the process line is open. But as soon as the gas bottle is empty, you can close the valve to the process line. Now use the other two valves to alternately supply vacuum and nitrogen for cleaning into the valve terminal. In this way, you can safely open and replace the gas bottle without any gas residue escaping.

This solution is also beneficial for your processes, as the contact with air and moisture is kept very low and your process gas is not contaminated by the atmosphere.

SMC custom-made products for your processes

Regardless of the process involved – Flushing Heads, the flushable valve for gas cylinders, works with all possible combinations of manual and pneumatic valves. The custom-made products from SMC are tailored exactly to your requirements. From Din 477 connections to butt weld spigots to face-seal connections and beyond, everything is possible.

Are you interested in flushing heads? Contact us, we will be happy to advise you!

Bonded Layer Manifolds – efficient in the smallest of spaces

Sometimes a large number of fluid channels have to find space in a very small space. For example in medical technology, when liquids or gases are transported through many different fluid channels. Bonded Layer Manifolds from SMC score here with their outstanding quality.

Valves, hoses and fittings need space. And that is not always there. Both analysis and medical technology have to accommodate complex fluid connections in the smallest of spaces.

What are bonded layer manifolds?

Bonded Layer Manifolds are fluid circuits that transport liquids or gases wherever there is no space for hoses, valves and fittings. They consist of individual layers (layers) into which different fluid channels are milled. The layers are then placed on top of each other and bonded to one another in a form-fitting and absolutely tight manner under exact pressure and temperature conditions (bonding process).

The most important advantages: They can contain many hundreds of fluid channels in the smallest space and can be precisely integrated into the respective devices. Integrated functions such as tanks or storage are easily possible and dead volume can be completely avoided with bonded layer manifolds.

Particularly pleasing for our customers: These are plug & play solutions. You do not have to hose anything, just fit the relevant device with the manifold and you’re done. The maintenance effort is also zero.

Manufacturing is about customer requirements

Bonded Layer Manifolds are always one-offs that are tailored to the specific requirements. At SMC you also benefit from our years of experience. We analyze your circuit diagrams before we start production and discuss with you on site how your fluid paths are best arranged.

As soon as we have your circuit diagram, we design a layout that can be adapted again if necessary. For you, this means maximum security: 1. that the bonded layer manifold exactly meets your requirements and 2. that no costly incorrect production is commissioned.

SMC: Your local contact

Are you looking for a special solution? Then get in touch with us. Wherever your company is, SMC is close at hand. Our staff will be happy to advise you on site!

Modular cooling water distribution with flow sensors from SMC

With the flow sensors from SMC you can easily and reliably monitor up to 10 stations simultaneously. And in the smallest space!

We at SMC help you to make your processes as efficient and stable as possible. The cooling water distribution is always an important issue – from assembly to maintenance.

Modular cooling water distribution made easy

The modular flow sensors of the PF3W series help you save. Namely space, time and money. The sensors are space-saving and compact and monitor up to 10 stations simultaneously. And with flow ranges from 0.5 to 4 liters, 2 to 16 liters or even 5 to 40 liters per minute and line.

The PF3W series scores with many advantages: All media-contacting materials are copper-free and therefore suitable for DI water, have an integrated flow and return unit and are already fully assembled. This makes installation particularly easy and inexpensive and reduces the possibility of leakage to a minimum.

The distribution of the cooling medium is set via a needle valve and you can shut off the individual strands independently of one another for maintenance work, which saves you a lot of time in the operational sequence.

Reliable flow sensors for your processes

Another important topic is temperature monitoring. Integrated two-color displays ensure that you can see all relevant information for each individual line at a glance. In this way you can recognize process changes in good time and can always check whether the cooling function is ensured.

The Karman vortex measuring principle in our flow sensors does not require any moving parts, which significantly increases the service life.

Further advantages: simple implementation, a digital switching output and an analog output. Of course, the SMC flow sensors are I / O compatible and can be combined with SMC temperature control units.

Where are flow sensors used?

Many processes depend on safe cooling. The flow sensors from SMC are therefore used in various industries. For example in laser temperature control, where precise cooling devices ensure constant temperatures. The coolant distribution is an important part so that the optical components of the laser are not changed by temperature differences and the laser can continue to work precisely.

The flow sensors of the PF3W series are a guarantee for consistent quality even in water-cooled welding. This enables process changes to be recognized and remedied in good time, which increases the lifespan of the components enormously and at the same time greatly reduces maintenance.

Of course, many other industries and processes also benefit from modular cooling water distribution and monitoring. We are happy to help!

Would you like to know more about the flow sensors of the PF3W series? You can download our catalog here.

Pumps for aggressive chemicals – nothing gets stuck!

When pumps have to transport highly aggressive acids or alkalis, they quickly reach their limits. Unless they were made by SMC. Because our pumps for aggressive chemicals fulfill the highest requirements.

Many know the problem: Your pump conveys a highly aggressive acid, which you need for the surface treatment of glasses, crystals or other products. And then it gets stuck without warning and production stops. It may take days before you have installed the necessary spare parts or replaced the entire pump. This is not only annoying, but also economically problematic. Especially if timely delivery dates depend on your equipment operates smoothly.

Why pumps for aggressive chemicals get stuck

SMC Fluidcontrol: Pumpen für aggressive Chemikalien

In most cases, it is the same two weaknesses that put your pumps into early retirement. The chemicals diffuse – particles penetrate the plastic membranes – and attack the metal slide behind it, which then corrodes quickly and can no longer move on. The second problem is mostly caused by low-quality plastics that deform due to permanent contact with the chemicals.

SMC has therefore developed special pumps for aggressive chemicals that score with a particularly long service life and reliability. Instead of stainless steel valves, we use ceramic valves that cannot corrode. And our specially treated, hardened PTFE for the check valves never changes shape – so the pump can do its job unhindered.

Specially designed pumps for all challenges

Pumps often go through a lot. They have to move liquids over long distances and elevations, overcome gravity and deal with pressure drops that are often unnoticeable to anyone. All of this further reduces their lifespan. If the cross-section is then incorrectly calculated and the pump is too small, production downtimes are inevitable. Reaching large pumps for this reason is an unnecessarily costly solution.

SMC helps you to find the right pump for your application. Our pumps for aggressive chemicals save time and money: They are available in two versions (1-20 l / min and 5-45 l / min), are practically maintenance-free, durable and guarantee you a smooth production process.

Are you interested in a durable, long-life pump for your production? The SMC team will be happy to help!

 

Water-cooled welding at the highest level

Welding causes extremely high temperatures – the arc can reach up to 30,000 ° C, which of course has a very negative effect on the service life of all components. The solution is water-cooled welding. SMC has developed very special solutions in this area.

If you want to achieve more productivity and quality when welding, you have come to the right place at SMC. Our complete solutions for water-cooled welding bring many advantages – including a longer electrode life, higher welding speed and a stable arc.

This is how the complete SMC solution for water-cooled welding works

wassergekühltes SchweißenLike every complete solution, ours consists of individual parts that interlock and are perfectly coordinated. We are happy to support our customers in the development and fine-tuning of the components. All in all, these individual parts make the big difference for the user:

  • From the chiller, the cooling water can be distributed to several welding strands at the same time, which can be cooled at the same time. This means that only one device is required; maintenance costs are reduced, as is the space requirement.
  • Permanent flow monitoring guarantees that process changes are recognized in good time. In this way, the cooling function remains ensured. If the flow is too low, an alarm is triggered automatically. The customer can react accordingly to prevent damage to his system.
  • Communication with the welding system is possible with digital inputs and outputs as well as with the standardized transmission type RS232 / RS485.

Which components are cooled:

  • The welding torch is provided with holes through which water is passed, thus cooling the gas nozzle and the electrode. Of course, this increases the durability of the electrode, but also ensures a focused arc.
  • When welding, high currents are used. Usually all power lines are laid in a hose so that the cables are automatically cooled. Condensation can be prevented by setting the chiller’s setpoint to 20 to 25 ° C.
  • If the chiller is designed accordingly, other components such as electric motors or shields can also be cooled.
    For many customers, we have already implemented special complete solutions for water-cooled welding, always with the main focus on optimizing the application together with the customer according to their specific needs and requirements.

One provider, many advantages

In addition to greater convenience, SMC also scores from an economic point of view: many applications have several independent systems in operation at the same time and just as many cooling systems installed. The consequences are significantly higher maintenance costs and often a lack of space. With the complete SMC solution, all of this is a thing of the past.

High vacuum – an insight into modern industry

High vacuum – never heard of it, why do you need it? Here is an insight into the important technology of the (high) vacuum, without which a modern life as we know it today would not be possible.

What is (high) vacuum?

There is a pressure of 1013 mbar in our atmosphere – when the pressure is reduced in a system, we speak of a vacuum. But here too there are subdivisions into several print areas. The lower the pressure, the “higher” or “better” the vacuum becomes. A distinction is made between negative pressure (vacuum cleaning or vacuum packaging), rough vacuum (old light bulbs), fine vacuum (freeze-drying) and high vacuum (electron tubes, electron microscopes) to ultra-high vacuum.

The generation of high vacuum

Vacuum is created with pumps that are not actually pumps, but are only called this way. Strictly speaking, these are densities. This means that these pumps move air molecules that get into the pump out of the (vacuum) chamber. As a result, the pressure in the chamber becomes less and less. To generate high vacuum, you need a system that consists of two pumps: a backing pump and a so-called turbomolecular pump.

Special features of the high vacuum

An important term is the so-called mean free path. It describes the distance that a gas particle can travel on its way without colliding with other gas particles.

Let us remember – vacuum pumps are compressors, they can only transport molecules out of the chamber that get into the pump. When there is normal pressure, the air molecules collide very often because the mean free path is only approx. 68nm. For comparison: an average human hair is about 1000 times as thick. Since the molecules collide very often, even thin lines (e.g. 1/2 inch = 12.7mm) and small connections are flowed through quickly and well. This way, the molecules get to the pump quickly.

The further the pressure drops, the fewer molecules are in the chamber and the longer the mean free path. In a high vacuum, it is between 10 centimeters and one kilometer. For this reason, the molecules collide less and in order to get to the pump quickly, the connections to the valves must be very large (see sketch). That is why SMC offers sizes up to 160 mm nominal diameter (= inner diameter).

What do you need high vacuum for?

Products that are produced in a high vacuum can be found almost everywhere in our everyday life. We have summarized some examples for you here:

  • Coatings: An important process that only works in a high vacuum is physical vapor deposition. It is used in the manufacture of microchips, CDs and DVDs. An extremely clean environment is important here, since particles are a big problem.
    Further application examples: coating of tools, foils (food industry, glasses, cars, jewelry, …)
  • Electron microscope: Instead of a light beam, the electron microscope uses an electron beam. Since electrons are very small, they would be deflected by air molecules – so the microscope needs high vacuum to function.
  • Leakage tests: refrigerators, air cooling, heat pumps, braking systems, airbags and much more. Many systems have to be checked for leaks, since leaks have devastating consequences for our safety, health or the environment. These leak tests can only be carried out in a high vacuum, where even the smallest leaks cannot be overlooked.
  • Analytics: An example from analytics is the mass spectrometer. It measures the mass of atoms or molecules (atomic weight) after they are converted into the gas phase and ionized. If the pressure were too high, the ions would collide with air molecules and could not reach the detector. In addition, free ions and electrons could not be generated without a high vacuum and the life of the device would be drastically shortened.
    Examples of use: Examination of substances in the body in medicine and criminal technology and in doping controls, analysis of environmental toxins, warfare agents and explosives and much more.

SMC high vacuum valves impress with their high quality and service life. They meet high sealing standards and are extremely corrosion-resistant. Here you will find all products for pneumatic, electromagnetic and manual drives.

The fitting that leaves nothing to chance – ideal for aggressive chemicals

When aggressive acids, bases or other dangerous chemicals are transported through a system, problems usually occur at the weakest link: the connector, also known as a fitting. The LQ3 system from SMC is the gold standard among fittings.

How fit is your fitting?

Fitting is one of the most important areas when it comes to the safe transport of aggressive chemicals. If defects occur here, the safety and health of the employees can be endangered. In addition, there is of course the material damage that leaking chemicals such as highly concentrated hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid or ammonia can cause.

For this reason, checking and maintaining these connections between valves, filters, pumps and hoses requires a great deal of attention and time. You have to make sure that the fitting is absolutely leak-free.

Fitting from SMC: Safe and uncomplicated

The LQ3 system from SMC ensures absolute tightness. And saves a lot of time with its patented, well thought-out design.

But what are the biggest problems and risks with fittings? First of all, of course, leaks. When the temperatures in the medium rise, the hose naturally expands. This can loosen the nut, the hose slide down and chemicals are released.

SMC has solved this problem: The LQ3 system is absolutely tight even with temperature fluctuations from 20 ° C to 200 ° C. The hose made of high-quality plastic naturally expands when the temperature rises. But unlike conventional systems, a clamping ring pulls the hose back into the correct position so that there are no leaks.

The gold standard for fittings

Instead of a normal thread, every fitting from SMC has a trapezoidal thread. The defined mounting position ensures that the nut stays in place in any case. It is simply tightened to the end stop during assembly and it can be checked at a glance whether everything has been assembled correctly.

Even after transport by ship or plane, there is no need to retighten the nuts. Our customers can easily set up and start up their system at their destination. The often enormous expenditure of time for checking is no longer necessary, as is lengthy maintenance during operation.

Since in many cases the parts are very complex and installed in the smallest of spaces, a large part of the system would often have to be dismantled for maintenance – and only to make sure that the nuts are properly seated. Our customers save this effort. By the way, they often compare the LQ3 system with the Gardena system because it is so simple, uncomplicated and safe.

Find the right fittings immediately: the LQ3 configurator

Anyone who has ever looked for the right product number in an online catalog will particularly appreciate our LQ3 configurator. Here you will find all product details at a glance and can immediately look up which fitting is the right one. It’s best to try it yourself!

Note: The macros must be allowed when opening the configurator.

Laser temperature control: nothing gets too hot

Lasers stand for the highest precision, in industry as well as in medicine. Cooling devices that ensure constant temperatures during lasering have to work just as precisely. Laser temperature control from SMC offers stability, proven quality and global support.

Heat is generated when lasering. Even if the laser beam itself is temperature neutral – the movement of tiny particles generates heat all around. This begins in the laser device itself, where the laser beam is guided through various, precisely adjusted optical lenses.

A thermal expansion of the base plate would change the alignment of the optical components. The laser could no longer work exactly. Cooling or temperature control is an important part of any laser process.

Lasers in industry and medicine

Laser devices are used in many areas today. They drill, cut, weld, label, engrave and treat surfaces according to special requirements. In industry, lasers are used wherever machining reaches its limits. Fiber or gas lasers are particularly common here.

Diode lasers are used in medicine. So-called ultrashort pulse lasers do not emit permanent light, but set ultrashort light pulses in the femtosecond range. Because the individual impulses are only so short, they can be dosed much higher without causing damage. This is important, for example, in eye surgery or for micromachining in the semiconductor industry.

Lasertemperierung von SMCLaser temperature control from SMC Stable laser power, sensitive materials and longer service life of the devices

“Laser” is a short word made up of the first letters of “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. So it’s about amplifying light through intensified radiation.

Laser temperature control is also about the stability of the laser power. Because the wavelength of the laser depends on the temperature.

Stable temperature conditions extend the life of the sensitive laser devices, the laser diodes and the laser generator. Exact temperature control also increases the up-time, which means it prevents failures and ensures stable availability.

Just think of laser eye surgery. The laser may only act on the sensitive tissue to the extent that the cornea is to be removed. But processing sensitive components also requires precision. The smallest components must fit exactly, the edges and the surrounding material must not change.

Laser temperature control from SMC

Temperature control units from SMC were developed for use in sensitive environments. Thanks to their flexibility, our chillers adapt to a wide variety of requirements. For example, installation in standardized 19-inch racks is possible without any problems.

SMC devices are suitable for different voltages and frequency ranges and can therefore be used worldwide. Customers around the world appreciate our global support.

Complete solutions for every requirement

Thanks to the wide range of products, SMC can offer complete solutions for process optimization. In addition to temperature control, this includes cooling water distribution, flow monitoring, ensuring the cooling function and early detection of process changes. This guarantees our customers process reliability and productivity.

Process quality and precision are a matter of course at SMC. Our years of experience in high-end environments guarantee components that meet the highest demands.

Communication for Industry 4.0

Digital inputs and outputs as well as serial communication allow connection to the most modern industrial environments.
Whether you want to address our chillers via your control system or have control messages read out via the existing system – with SMC you are prepared for Industry 4.0.

Suck-back unit: the suction valve that never drips

No dripping, exact dosing – combined suck back valves from SMC are the solution for delicate liquids and perfect processes.

Liquids are valuable in analysis technology. Often dangerous in the semiconductor industry. Dripping valves are out of place here. SMC has developed reliable suck back valves that can be dosed particularly precisely. Individual drops have no chance of escaping.
It is similar to a faucet: If liquid flows through an outlet, one last drop still remains after turning it off. Often there is also repeated dripping.

The last drop can do a lot

This can have serious consequences in the semiconductor industry. Not only that you are dealing with aggressive liquids that are harmful even in the smallest droplets. Sensitive electronic components can be damaged by the pressure of an uncontrolled falling drop.

But even in medical analysis processes, not a single drop is allowed to become independent. During the analysis of blood or urine samples, additive test liquids must of course be supplied in absolutely exact quantities. Any deviation can affect the result. And with particularly small amounts of liquid, half the sample can be lost through a wasted drop.

Play Video about Back suction valve

Back suction valve prevents dripping

A so-called suck-back valve ensures that residual liquid is sucked back before it can escape. This prevents dripping. Such valves are state of the art in the semiconductor industry and are also often used in medical technology.

But back-suction valves from SMC can do even more. As a specialist in automation solutions and an experienced partner to industry, SMC can offer a wide range of components for valve and control technology – and combine them perfectly.

Precise dosing through combined valve unit

The valve unit from SMC consists of the actual suck back valve and an on / off valve. This combination is unique and allows a much more precise dosage than is possible with conventional suck back valves.

Not only can the back suction and flow rate be set exactly. The opening and closing speed of the valves can also be precisely regulated using special throttles. This prevents impacts from occurring in the medium.

Perfect processes right through to the end

The exact settings guarantee you a permanently closed liquid column after switching off. The media column is interrupted in a controlled manner and nothing is lost. This is how you achieve perfect processes right through to the end of the dispensing process.

Would you like to know more about combined back suction valves from SMC? Our experts will be pleased to advise you.

Manifolds: The space-saving distribution solution

Custom-made multiple distributors made of plastic save space, are light and easy to use.
Many components in a confined space? This requirement is part of everyday life in medical technology. With tailor-made manifolds, SMC offers a tried-and-tested solution that is particularly suitable for limited space.

Clever plastic blocks have it all

These intelligent multiple distributors consist of individually configurable plastic blocks that are individually tailored to your needs. No matter what applications you need them for – we adapt the manifolds exactly.
A wide variety of cables can be safely and clearly accommodated in the integrated channels – and in a much smaller space than would be possible with hoses. In addition to the channels, we can easily incorporate different reservoirs and various connections.

Easy to use, little maintenance


Efficient use of space is just one advantage that manifolds from SMC offer you. The versatile plastic blocks are not only compact and space-saving, they are also particularly light. Depending on the respective requirement, they are made of acrylic (PMAA) or other plastics such as PVC, PSU, PEI or PEEK.
Installation and handling take less time than for conventional distribution solutions. And the lower maintenance effort naturally also reduces your running costs.

Proven solutions and extensive accessories

We always want to offer our customers the best solutions. To do this, we are constantly developing our products further and adapting them to the requirements of everyday analysis.
In our complete range you will find extensive accessories, valves, regulators, fittings, pressure gauges as well as sensors and switches for pressure and flow.
Are you interested in custom manifolds? Our experts will be pleased to advise you!