Whether you are creating sturdy hospital-grade systems, complex high-throughput lab equipment, or compact point-of-care analyzers, the automation components are required to be clean, reliable, and easy to integrate.
The SMC Life Science division leverages a vast, 80+ country international presence alongside a catalogue exceeding 700,000 components. This extensive offering spans essential areas like pneumatics, microfluidics, thermal regulation, and handling of high-purity gases and liquids. Consequently, SMC serves as your all-in-one provider, supplying standard parts, sophisticated integrated manifolds, and custom assemblies engineered precisely for your equipment.
SMC engineers are equipped to navigate the realities of the life science field, addressing complex demands such as strict regulatory adherence, small equipment envelopes, chemical resistance, the need for silent operation, and durability. We partner with clients across the entire spectrum, from conceptualization to volume manufacturing, to ensure your operations are converted into reliable, repeatable, automated workflows.
Automation solutions designed for the Life Science industry
The confined nature of many life science and medical devices demands top-tier automation, resilient high-purity components, and miniature elements.
We make these indispensable tools available across the spectrum of our client base, from new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and specialised labs to large international firms:
Materials that handle even the most aggressive liquids
To handle liquids safely and reliably—especially corrosive, aggressive, or hot media—we utilize advanced materials. These include: fluoropolymer tubing and fittings chosen for their excellent resistance to chemicals and heat; stainless steel, ideal for corrosion-vulnerable areas; and elastomers such as EPDM, FKM, and FFKM for dependable sealing in critical applications.
The combination of these parts results in fluidic systems that are impervious to corrosive agents like acids, solvents, and cleaners. This configuration not only extends the longevity of the equipment and upholds media purity but also actively supports rigorous life science protocols, including Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Sterilize-in-Place (SIP).
Fluid handling systems
Our fluid handling systems combine valves, pumps, sensors, and manifolds to facilitate accurate control at the microlitre level. To protect delicate reagents, we incorporate chemical-resistant isolation and pinch valves, alongside micro-dispense pumps engineered for consistent, highly repeatable dosing outcomes.
Integrating these components into custom composite manifolds achieves several benefits: it minimizes both internal volume and connections. This streamlined approach boosts flushing efficiency and response times, simplifies assembly, and ensures stable, reproducible performance throughout key procedures like sample preparation, washing, and reagent dosing.
Quiet temperature control equipment
The performance of sensitive medical and life science apparatus relies on low operational noise and consistent temperature management. Our thermo-chillers and Peltier units provide solutions by holding reagents, optics, and electronics to extremely tight thermal tolerances, frequently within a fractional degree.
These systems are the best option for installation in labs, imaging rooms, and analyser cabinets due to their quiet, low-vibration operation. Supporting elements like intelligent control and flow surveillance are incorporated to ensure thermal stability lasts for the complete equipment lifecycle.
Acrylic products for high-purity applications
For scenarios demanding high purity, we engineer specialized plastic and acrylic manifolds that consolidate flow paths and various components into one compact block. The use of transparent acrylic is crucial, as it allows for simple visual assessment of the flow, detection of bubbles, and identification of potential contamination.
By optimizing the internal flow channels and integrating components such as valves, fittings, and sensors, these manifolds successfully reduce internal dead volume and minimize potential leak points. This optimization is essential for supporting high-purity, low-contamination designs required in analytical instruments and diagnostic devices.
Special pumps for precision dosing
We use specialized pumps for demanding applications where precise microlitre control is vital. Fixed-shot solenoid and diaphragm pumps are employed to guarantee highly repeatable discharge volumes for tasks like reagent dispensing, spot application, and automated microplate processing.
Easy integration into fluidic manifolds or small spaces is ensured by their compact design. This, combined with robust construction that provides long-term performance, allows them to form reliable, easily controlled dosing systems when integrated with our valves and sensors.
Miniature valves for compact medical and lab devices
Recognizing the necessity of small components, we provide miniature valves essential for modern, compact life science apparatus. Our selection covers small isolation valves for aggressive fluids and compact 2-port and 3-port solenoid valves for air, oxygen, and inert gas control.
These microvalves are perfect for integration into devices like portable medical equipment, analyzers, NIBP monitors, training simulators, and oxygen concentrators, thanks to their low power consumption, small size, and extended cycle life. They deliver stable measurements and enhanced user comfort through precise control and low switching noise.
