Perfect for your laboratory processes
Complete solution
The pressure and vacuum generator PGVA provides you with a complete solution that makes your life easy: the compressor, the air preparation including filtration and the buffer tanks are all integrated. The pressure and vacuum supply is either individually controlled or via preset values.
Pressure and vacuum generator PGVA-1
Regulated pressure/vacuum generation
The pressure and vacuum are generated in a closed control loop with integrated compressor, buffer tank, pressure sensors and proportional valve. Pressure and vacuum are supplied via the same duct at the output. The digital communication interface allows you to specify the required pressure level via the integrated GUI or a controller.
Pressure-controlled liquid handling
You set the required volume for dispensing or aspiration at the digital output using the opening time of the valve, as well as via the pressure/vacuum level at the output of the pressure and vacuum generator PGVA-1.
Pressure and vacuum generator PGVA-2
Constant pressure/vacuum generation
The pressure and vacuum is supplied via two individually controlled ducts at the output. The pressure and vacuum levels are generated on the basis of preset fixed values. This eliminates the need for a communication interface to adjust the regulation within the pressure/vacuum generator. A 24 V power supply is sufficient to ensure the pressure/vacuum is generated.
Additional regulation
Precise pressure or vacuum control can be achieved using proportional pressure regulators VEAB. Both channels can be set simultaneously and individually. This configuration is often used in rinsing processes when the supply of cleaning liquid and the extraction of contaminated liquids need to take place at the same time.
First-hand experience from users
Some manufacturers of laboratory automation systems use pressure and vacuum generator PGVA. Dutch company MolGen appreciates how the PGVA-1 controls the generation of pressure and vacuum. It uses the pressure and vacuum generator in the PurePrep TTR system that prepares 320 patient samples per hour for further molecular processing. The system is used for automated handling of liquids at high throughput rates by quickly, accurately and reliably transferring them from sample vials to deep-well microwell plates.
Test platform outside of laboratories
Fast MDx shows how many pathogens can be detected with unrivalled speed without the need for expensive biosafe laboratories. This London-based company developed a point-of-care test system that cuts the typical waiting time of 24 to 48 hours to just one to two hours. Integrated in the system is the decentralised pressure and vacuum generator PGVA-1 from Festo.
Fast MDx is the first fully automated, point-of-care, high-throughput test system for the most common respiratory pathogens, influenza A, influenza B, RSV A, RSV B and Covid-19. The test platform is usually set up close to the patient in hospitals, clinics or doctor's surgeries which are often far from laboratories. This saves time, costs and travel. To avoid having to use an external pneumatic supply, the Fast MDx test platform uses the pressure vacuum generator from Festo, which produces a pressure or vacuum and represents a self-contained solution for liquid handling in laboratory automation.
Reproducible results
Many experiments in the life sciences depend on highly precise and reliable pressures. For example, in neuroscientific research all steps – from (virus) injections into an intact brain to patch-clamp derivations – require a controlled pressure source. In the past, researchers have even generated pressure with their mouths. When higher pressures were required, syringes were used to apply pressure manually through a syringe. But neither method provides reproducible results, even with measuring devices, as the stability of the pressure application, the exact timing and the actual pressure level can vary considerably.
That's why Sensapex, a Finnish company part of the Acuvi Group, has developed the uMc pressure regulators; they simplify and automate everyday tasks in life science experiments while enabling reproducible experiments and workflows. Decentralised pressure and vacuum generator PGVA-2 from Festo is an important component for ensuring controlled and reliable pressure generation for Sensapex. Sensapex also uses up to eight piezo-based proportional pressure regulators VEAB from Festo in its uMc pressure regulators for the precise pressure and vacuum control that is required.
