You have a new pump and a costly sample. One wrong setting can ruin the run. So how do you set up a syringe pump the safe way?

Lab and industrial syringe pumps are not for medical use. The steps are easy. Load the syringe. Fix the clamp. Pick the syringe size. Fill the line with liquid. Then run a test.

To set up a syringe pump, fill the syringe and push out the air. Place the barrel and flange. Tighten the clamp and lock the plunger. Pick your syringe from the list, or type in its inner diameter. Set the flow rate and volume. Prime the line, then run a short test with water.

What Your First Setup Must Get Right

Three things keep a pump accurate. The syringe data must be right. The clamp must be tight. There must be no air in the syringe or the tubing.

Infusetek ISPLab and SPLab pumps find the flow rate with a simple rule. Flow rate is linear speed times the inside area of the syringe. Linear speed is how fast the plunger moves. If the inner diameter is wrong, the flow is wrong too.

Say the plunger moves at 1 μm/min on an ISPLab pump. A 1 mL plastic syringe gives 0.0173 μL/min. A 10 mL plastic syringe gives 0.1742 μL/min.

Before You Start: Tools and Workspace Prep

Pick a Syringe That Suits the Pump

Each model takes different syringe sizes. The single-channel ISPLab01-Pro takes 0.5 μL to 150 mL. The multi-channel ISPLab04 to ISPLab12 take 10 μL to 10 mL.

SPLab Series pumps with 1 or 2 channels take 10 μL to 150 mL. Pumps with 4 to 12 channels take 10 μL to 10 mL.

Check Power, Bench Space and Room Conditions

ISPLab pumps run on AC 90-264V. SPLab pumps run on AC 220V ±10%. AC 110V ±10% is an option. The MIX60 runs on DC24V/2.5A.

Keep the room at 0-40℃ for ISPLab and SPLab pumps. Humidity must be under 80%.

Have Tubing, Connectors and Needles Ready

Infusetek lists PTFE tubing, connectors and syringe needles. It also lists plastic syringes, gastight glass syringes with Luer-lock and micro syringes. You can find them in its accessories range.

How to Set Up a Syringe Pump, Step by Step

1. Turn on the pump and check the screen.

2. Fill the syringe and push out the air.

3. Load the syringe and fix the clamp.

4. Pick your syringe from the list, or type in its inner diameter.

5. Choose the metering method, then set the volume and flow rate.

6. Prime the tubing so it fills with liquid.

7. Run a short test and check what comes out.

Syringe Loading and Clamp Adjustment

Good syringe loading needs a flat barrel, a flange in its slot and a plunger that does not move.

Fill the Syringe and Clear the Air

Hold the syringe with the tip up. Tap the barrel. Push the plunger until the bubbles leave. Do this before you put the syringe in the pump.

Place the Barrel and Flange Firmly

The barrel should lie flat in the holder. The flange should sit all the way in its slot.

Adjust the Clamp and Slider Position

On the ISPLab01-Pro, a knob sets the slider position. You can load a syringe with one hand. Its adaptive design fits different barrel shapes.

Other ISPLab and SPLab models can hold different types of syringes firmly.

Lock the Plunger Into the Holder

The ISPLab01-Pro has a special plunger mount. It holds the syringe firm and keeps the run steady. A loose plunger causes slack at the start of a run.

Syringe Model List or Inner Diameter Entry?

Pick from the built-in syringe model list if your syringe is on it. If it is not, use inner diameter entry.

When the Built-In Model List Is Enough

ISPLab models have a built-in list. Pick your syringe from it. You do not need to type anything.

When to Type the Inner Diameter Yourself

All ISPLab and SPLab models let you type your own inner diameter. Use it for any syringe that is not on the list.

Why Plastic and Glass Sizes Differ

Two syringes with the same size can have a different inner diameter. Check the number before every run. These numbers come from Infusetek's published tables.

Setting Flow Rate, Volume and Work Mode

Choose a Metering Method

A metering method tells the pump how much liquid to move. The ISPLab01-Pro has three: volume and flow rate, volume and time, or flow rate and time. ISPLab04 and the SPLab Series have two: volume and rate, or volume and time.

Pick the Right Working Mode

Infusion pushes liquid out. Withdrawal pulls liquid in. The pump can also infuse then withdraw, or withdraw then infuse. The ISPLab01-Pro and SPLab Series also have a continuous mode.

Set the Linear Force for Your Liquid

More force lets a pump handle more kinds of liquid. Pick a force that fits your liquid.

ISPLab01-Pro: 12-45 kgf, adjustable

ISPLab04: 12-25 kgf, adjustable

SPLab Series: 25 kgf or more

Save Settings You Will Reuse

The ISPLab01-Pro and ISPLab04 can save up to 60 common modes. The MIX60 can hold up to 20 programmed steps.

Priming the Line and Removing Air Bubbles

Priming fills the tubing with liquid and pushes out the air. Air in the tubing slows the flow. It also spoils the first readings.

Run liquid through until a steady drip shows at the end of the tubing. There should be no bubbles.

Pump Features That Help With Air

ISPLab04 and the SPLab Series have an extra mode. It infuses or withdraws, then removes the bubbles.

ISPLab models let you set the reverse (back) distance from 0.01 to 10 mm.

Your First Test Run: Check Volume and Rate

For the first test run, use clean water and at least 30% of the stroke.

Start With Clean Water

Use water, not your real sample.

Use at Least 30% of the Stroke

Infusetek states an error of ±0.3% or less for ISPLab pumps and ±0.5% or less for SPLab pumps. This holds only when the stroke is at least 30% of the maximum.

The maximum stroke is 140 mm on both. So a test should move at least 42 mm.

Measure the Output and Compare

Weigh or measure the liquid that comes out. Compare it with the set volume.

Calibrate if the Numbers Are Off

On the ISPLab01-Pro, you can calibrate the volume on the screen. The MIX60 has calibration and online fine-tuning.

Adjust Flow Without Stopping

ISPLab and SPLab pumps let you change the flow rate while the pump is running.

Common First-Use Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Five Setup Errors and Their Fixes

ISPLab, SPLab and MIX60 pumps all have blockage protection. The pump stops and sounds an alarm if it is blocked.

Your Syringe Pump First Use Checklist

Tick each box before the real sample goes in.

[ ] Power and room checked

[ ] Syringe filled, air out

[ ] Barrel, flange and plunger locked in

[ ] Syringe picked or inner diameter typed in

[ ] Metering method, volume, rate and mode set

[ ] Line primed, no bubbles

[ ] Water test run done and measured

[ ] Settings saved as a common mode

How Infusetek Supports Your First Setup

DK INFUSETEK has its headquarters and R&D centre in Shanghai. Its production base is in northern China. The company designs, customises and makes products for micro-fluid handling.

Product pages have a Download file and an online consultation link. Infusetek also has video tutorials. The titles are ISPLab Series, Infusion Demonstration, Common Mode Settings Demonstration and Stirring Pump Syringe Installation.

FAQs

How do you load a syringe into a syringe pump?

Fill the syringe and remove the bubbles. Put the barrel on the holder and the flange in its slot. Tighten the clamp and lock the plunger. Then pick the syringe from the list or type in its inner diameter.

Do I need to enter the syringe inner diameter?

Yes, unless your syringe is on the built-in list. The flow depends on the inner diameter. A wrong number gives a wrong flow.

Can I change the flow rate during a run?

Yes. On ISPLab and SPLab models, you can change the flow rate while the pump is running. You do not need to stop it.

Why does the pump stop and sound an alarm?

The pump stops when its drive is blocked. This is called blockage protection. Clear the line, then start again.

What happens after a power cut?

The ISPLab01-Pro keeps running or stays stopped, based on its settings. ISPLab04 and SPLab Series pumps show the last settings when power comes back.

Can I use both glass and plastic syringes?

Yes. The ISPLab01-Pro takes syringes of all materials, from 0.5 μL to 150 mL.

Conclusion

A safe first run has five parts. They are loading, clamping, syringe selection, priming and a water test. Always set up a syringe pump with water first. Use the real sample after that.

Duko Industrial Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is the company behind Infusetek. Its pages list inner diameters, accuracy figures and video tutorials for its lab pumps. A first-time user can use all of these.

Before your first live sample, download the file on your pump's product page or email sales@infusetek.com.