The LCM Pump is engineered for precise and reliable dispensing across a wide range of applications in automated analyzer systems, including molecular diagnostics, immunoassays and clinical chemistry. A hermetically sealed chamber prevents the crystallization that typically occurs in conventional ceramic piston pumps. Frequent system flushing — which is in some cases not even possible due to the aggressiveness of the liquids — is therefore not required to prevent crystallization. Based on the Liquid Coupled Membrane operating principle, air-free filling of the coupling liquid between the membrane and the bellow ensures precise transmission of displacement, making the pump virtually maintenance free.
The main application for the LCM pump is precise dispensing of starter and trigger reagents. Available in 500 µl and 5 ml versions, this OEM liquid handling pump offers flexible volume handling for both low- and high-volume dispensing tasks. Alternatively, it can be used as an oil pump to seal arrays in a fluidic chip.
Specifications
| LCM PUMP 500 | LCM PUMP 5000 |
|---|---|---|
Drive | Stepper motor with lead screw | |
Nominal volume | 500 μl | 5000 μl |
Volume range | 20 - 500 μl | 100 - 5000 μl |
Aspirate flow rate | Up to 700 μl/sec | Up to 700 μl/sec |
Dispense flow rate | Up to 1000 μl/sec | Up to 1500 μl/sec |
Performance | Dispense vol.: 100 - 500 μl | 20 - 99 μl Accuracy*: ≤ 2.0 % | ≤ 3.0 % Precision CV*: ≤ 1.5 % | ≤ 2.0 % | Dispense vol.: 1000 - 5000 μl | 500 - 999 μl | 100 - 499 μl Accuracy*: ≤ 1.5 % | ≤ 3.0 % | ≤ 5.0 % Precision CV*: ≤ 1.5 % | ≤ 2.0 % | ≤ 3.0 % |
Chemical reistance | Depending on liquid characteristics and impact on wetted components | |
Wetted components | PP: pump head; FKM: membrane, solenoid valve, solenoid valve sealing O-ring; PEEK: solenoid valve body | |
Liquid connection | ¼-28 UNF, flat bottom type | |
Expected lifetime | Several million dispenses / fluid transfers | |
Dimensions [H|W|D] | 100|58|143 mm | 100|80|146 mm |
Weight | Approx. 450 g | Approx. 1140 g |
Power requirements | 24 Vᴅᴄ ± 1.5 Vᴅᴄ, 600 mA | |
Communication | RS232, TCP/IP | |
*Pump performance depends on application conditions like tubing sizes, shore hardness, hydrostatic situation, injector size and is specified under optimized conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main advantages of the LCM Pump in OEM systems?
The LCM Pump offers precise dispensing, reliable handling of aggressive liquids, and a hermetically sealed chamber that inhibits crystallization. Its membrane-bellow construction with air-free coupling liquid ensures stable displacement transmission and supports virtually maintenance-free operation in OEM systems.
- How does the LCM Pump prevent crystallization?
Unlike conventional ceramic piston pumps, the Liquid Coupled Membrane Pump’s liquid-isolated membrane principle helps prevent crystallization inside the pump mechanism, reducing the risk of deposits that can lead to sticking pistons and supporting stable operation over time.
- What experience is there with the reliability of the LCM Pump?
The pumps are maintenance free and last for 1.5 million cycles or 5-year lifetime. * STRATEC has already installed more than 119,000 pumps from this family in analytical instruments worldwide.
*The accuracy, precision, pump performance and reliability depend on application conditions like tubing sizes, transferred fluids, shore hardness, hydrostatic situation, injector size and is specified under optimized conditions.
- What volume options are available for the LCM Pump?
The LCM Pumps are available in two versions; 500 μl and 5000 μl, providing flexible volume handling for both small and larger dispense tasks.
- Why is the LCM Pump considered highly accurate and precise?
The pump’s operating principle ensures that displacement is transmitted consistently via an air-free coupling liquid between the membrane and the bellow. This allows the pump to deliver the same volume repeatedly with very low variation, resulting in high precision. *
LCMP500
LCMP5000
Accuracy
100 μl - 500 μl ≤ 2.0 %
20 μl - 99 μl ≤ 3.0 %1000 μl - 5000 μl ≤ 1.5 %
500 μl - 999 μl ≤ 3.0 %
100 μl - 499 μl ≤ 5.0 %Precision
100 μl - 500 μl ≤ 1.5 %
20 μl - 99 μl ≤ 2.0 %1000 μl - 5000 μl ≤ 1.5 %
500 μl - 999 μl ≤ 2.0 %
100 μl - 499 μl ≤ 3.0 %*The accuracy, precision, pump performance and reliability depend on application conditions like tubing sizes, transferred fluids, shore hardness, hydrostatic situation, injector size and is specified under optimized conditions.
