• Unattended solution switching
  Avoid vibrations from switching valves by hand. The ValveBank® or ValveLink8.2® controller handles all solution delivery so that you can watch results – not switch stopcocks. Many special features are included for easy perfusion control. Low noise circuitry.
• Increased reproducibility
  Valve switching is accurate to 0.01 seconds with programs up to 99 hours long under microprocessor control. Consistent liquid delivery means better data.
• Pinch & Teflon™ and Lee™ Valves
  Choose between speed, cost, and ease of cleaning. Several options are available for fittings and reservoirs.
• Manual and external valve control
  Flexible design. Easy cleaning and calibration. Slave mode valve operation controlled by your computer, pClamp, Pulse, Acquire, LabView, AxoGraph, etc.

ValveLink8.2 Controller & FREE ValveLink8.2 PC Software

• ValveGuard™ technology detects bad valves
  Prevent damage to your ValveLink and easily observe problem valves.
• Run experiments automatically – even unattended
  By running experiments automatically, AutoMate Systems will leave you free to accomplish other tasks – saving you both time and money.
• Microprocessor-based for accuracy and flexibility
  Our low-cost ValveLink controller has powerful perfusion commands and capabilities not offered by competing valve drivers: open single or multiple valves, master channel for control/buffer solution, computer control.
• Low noise & low voltage valve control
  Designed for electrophysiology. CE marked for Europe.
• Manual, TTL (digital), analogue, and USB inputs
  Control valves manually (by push button) or by computer – simultaneously thanks to the microprocessor design. Optional spill sensor protects your equipment when a leak is detected.

ValveLinks can switch 12V DC solenoid valves open and closed in one millisecond using full power, then hold-in at 1/2 power to prevent thermal transfer to your solutions. Low noise circuitry minimizes recording artifacts in electrophysiology. Both ValveLinks and ValveBanks are designed for use with pClamp, Pulse, AxoGraph, et al. All AutoMate products include a one-year limited warranty covering both parts and labour (see manual for more details).

ValveGuard™ technology detects bad valves to prevent damage to your ValveLink and easily observe problem valves. Front-panel LEDs are dark for broken or disconnected valves, or blink for short-circuited valves. Automatic networking lets you connect up to eight ValveLinks to a USB hub and PC to create a single 64-channel controller. One analogue input can control eight valves: zero volts closes all valves, and each half-volt increment opens the next valve (i.e. 3 volts opens valve six). Analogue event marker allows you to record all valve activity.

ValveLinks are less expensive than AutoMate’s ValveBank controllers and include manual pushbuttons, digital/TTL, analogue and USB inputs to control valves. They are designed for easy control by your data acquisition software. The ValveLink is the controller of choice for dose response work at pharmaceutical companies and the NIH. Its sophisticated design allows control of sixteen valves with only four digital outputs from pCLAMP. An optional spill sensor stops all valves when a leak is detected to protect your microscope and table. All LEDs blink until you press a button to continue. ValveLinks can now power individual valves up to 1 amp (12 watts), and a total of 2 amps for all valves open simultaneously.

ValveBank Controllers

• Run experiments automatically – even unattended By running experiments automatically, AutoMate Systems will leave you free to accomplish other tasks – saving you both time and money.
• Microprocessor-based for accuracy and flexibility The ValveBank® can store sixteen user programs with 10 millisecond switching accuracy. It includes powerful perfusion commands and capabilities not offered by competing valve drivers: open single or multiple valves, master channel for control/buffer solution, computer control.
• Low noise & low voltage valve control Designed for electrophysiology. CE marked for Europe.
• Manual, TTL (digital), and serial (RS-232) inputs Control valves manually (by keypad) or by computer – simultaneously thanks to the microprocessor design.
• Low cost & low profile, simple design Optional BNC cables and 19” rack-mounting brackets.

All AutoMate valve controllers switch 12V DC solenoid valves open and closed rapidly using full power, then hold-in at 1/2 power to prevent thermal transfer to your solutions. Low noise circuitry minimizes recording artifacts in electrophysiology. Both ValveBanks and AutoMate’s ValveLink controllers are designed for use with pClamp, Pulse, AxoGraph, et al. All AutoMate products include a one-year limited warranty covering both parts and labor (see manual for more details).

The ValveBank® remains the only programmable valve controller for physiology that does not require a computer. ValveBanks include digital and manual control, plus they can be programmed through their keypad and LCD screen or EasyCode® software from a Macintosh or PC. ValveBanks run user valve sequences without a computer and include eight programmable digital outputs for control of external devices such as stimulators, pumps and recording devices. Entire ValveBank programs can even be triggered by a single TTL pulse. Digital inputs activate valves by computer or external devices including level sensors, flow meters, and UV/VIS detectors.

ValveBank or ValveLink8.2: Which controller is right for you?
 

Valve Choices

• Pinch Valves for Reduced Maintenance
  Easiest valves to clean and switch tubing. Liquids never touch the valves. Switches in 30-50 ms. 1/32” i.d. silicone tube passes through, and is pinched closed by solenoid activation. All AutoMate Scientific valves include an individual indicator LED. Our new aluminium enclosure keeps the valves dry from spills and offers luer lock ports for syringe reservoirs.

• Teflon™ Valves for Fast Switching
  Required for fast kinetics applications. Excellent chemical and corrosion resistance. Non-stick surface resists particles and chemical deposits. Switches in less than 10 ms, with 20 μl of dead volume from port to port. Threaded female inlet and outlet ports accept Hose Barb, Luer Lock and Nut & Ferrule fittings.

• Lee™ Mini Valves for Extremely Fast Switching and Minimal Pressure Pulse
  For the most demanding applications AutoMate Scientific offers tiny valves from the Lee Company. Enclosed in our new aluminum box with luer locks for syringe reservoirs, these valves can open and close in 1.5-4 ms with a ValveLink8.2 controller.

Perfusion Systems Include:

Controller, valves, 60 ml syringe reservoirs, 2-way stopcocks, ringstand, 1/16" i.d. tubing and four-, eight- or sixteen-into-one micro-manifold with built-in flow control. Non-pressurized Teflon systems include drippers and a reservoir bracket. 5, 15, 35, 60 or 140 ml syringe reservoirs available.

The Economy Pinch Valve System includes ValveLink8 controller, four pinch valves, 35 ml syringes, 2-way stopcocks, ringstand, 1/16” i.d. tubing and four-into-one micro-manifold with built-in flow control.

Computer Interfacing

Perfusion systems can be controlled by a computer using data acquisition hardware (i.e., DigiData, ITC-16, or National Instruments board) and software (i.e., pCLAMP, Pulse, or LabView). Both ValveBanks and ValveLinks accept real-time TTL inputs to control valves. Most acquisition software already being used in your experiments can talk to our controllers. AutoMate Scientific offers an optional program called EasyCode® for the Macintosh and PC/ Windows to program ValveBanks (not ValveLinks). This software is used before an experiment – valve sequences are downloaded into the memory of the ValveBank where they are run.