Smooth Flow Pumps

KNF technology for minimal pump pulsation

Smooth Flow Pumps for Demanding Applications

At KNF, the development of a new diaphragm liquid pump starts with looking at the end of the value chain. The inkjet market and the medical sector are good examples of this. What began decades ago with digitally printing ink on paper, has evolved into an innovative and expanding industry. Today, digital inkjet printing is used in various areas of application: textile and packaging industry, printing on ceramics and glass products, electronics industry and additive manufacturing. The same is true for the medical industry.

The KNF FP 70 is part of the Smooth Flow series.

Diaphragm pumps offer many advantages for demanding applications, many of them found in the inkjet and medical field: They are very clean, work oil-free, handle fluids gently and offer outstanding leak tightness. Their ability to move aggressive and abrasive media is another advantage as well as their reliable and safe operations. One of the few arguments which might be used against them is their pulsation. As with all positive displacement pump technologies, including peristaltic, gear, and piston, diaphragm pumps generate pulsation. Therefore, KNF has developed several liquid pumps with minimal pump pulsation using special Smooth Flow Technology.

Why Inkjet Benefits from Smooth Flow Pumps

Diaphragm liquid pumps are crucial for inkjet applications as they must move primers, inks, varnishes, resins or even electrically conductive liquids without compromising their quality. This also includes chemically aggressive or abrasive media such as ink containing particles. Using Smooth Flow Pumps for these applications can add real engineering value. Some of the advantages are reduced resistance in the tubing which are often only a few millimetres thick and several metres long. Here, a smooth flow increases the efficiency of the pumping process. It also prevents pressure peaks in the ink system. This is important as, in the worst case, these peaks can affect the quality of the print by disrupting the precisely controlled pressure conditions in the print head or by pre-curing inks.

Minimal Pump Pulsation is Crucial for Medical Application

Many advantages of Smooth Flow diaphragm liquid pumps that are important for inkjet applications are also of great importance for medical technology. In this area, media also need to be transferred in a clean manner, and the tubing connections can have similar effects. But there are even more advantages that make a real difference in medical applications. As many applications are in close contact with patients, pump pulsation can be heard or felt by the patients and may cause discomfort. With Smooth Flow Technology, this can be avoided, increasing patient comfort and therefore helping the recovery process.

Our KNF Smooth Flow Promise

KNF started the development of Smooth Flow Pumps several years ago. Some of these models, including medical pumps and ink pumps, have been successfully established in the markets. Thanks to their low pump pulsation, they enable an efficient and gentle flow of high liquid volumes. Learn more below about the KNF Smooth Flow Pump Technology. This exploded view image shows the features of the KNF FP 150 as part of the Smooth Flow Series.

5-diaphragm technology

Wobbling eccentric

Integrated BLDC motor

5-diaphragm technology

By interlacing the flow and the pulses generated by each of the 5 diaphragms, a very high and yet smooth flow is achieved in the diaphragm liquid pump. This helps to efficiently transfer liquids through long tubing with smaller diameters, since Smooth Flow Pumps reduce pressure loss. It also minimises vibration of the tubes which can cause a number of problems. (Featured product: KNF FP 150)

Wobbling eccentric

At speeds of up to 4,000 rpm, the wobbling eccentric transforms rotational movement of the motor to linear motion needed to drive the diaphragms. All this with generating almost no vibration and noise, and with only minimal forces acting on the motor hardware. This ensures a long, maintenance-free and highly reliable performance of the diaphragm liquid pump in the customer’s system. (Featured product: KNF FP 150)

Integrated BLDC motor

Supporting the wide flow controllability provided by the smooth flow of the 5 diaphragms, a brushless DC motor integrated in a tight IP65 alloy housing allows for precise adjustment of the flow rate between 0.2 to 1.5 l/min. The advantages of BLDC motors in Smooth Flow Pumps include nearly wear-free drives, a long service life and quiet operation with minimal vibration. (Featured product: KNF FP 150)

The KNF FP and FK pump series significantly reduce pulsation compared to typical single-headed pumps, making them a valid replacement for gear pumps.

KNF specialises in tailor-made solutions which allows us to focus on the diaphragm liquid pump features that are most beneficial and important to you. Contact us today to learn more about all available options.

KNF FP and FK range pumps offer high flow rates in a compact size, providing great installation and application flexibility.

FP Series

Our low pulsation pump products
Flow rates up to 5 l/min

FK Series

KNF's highest flow liquid pump
Liquid flow rates over 12 l/min

Accessories

External pulsation dampeners
Pressure control valves
Filters

Size

Compact
High performance to size ratio

Dependable

Long life
Maintenance-free
Self-priming
Can run dry

Materials

Versions available for agressive media
NSF-certified options for food grade requirements

Other

Excellent flow controllability
Lightweight
High IP protection class options available (up to 65)

Inkjet Printing

UV, water-based, solvent ink recirculation to prevent pigment settling
Ink temperature management
Glaze, varnish, binder and hot-melt recirculation

Analytical Instruments

Precise and flexible transfer of reagents with excellent linearity and turn-down ratio
Delivering of solvents during sample preparation
Dispensing cleaning agents for needle washing

Medical

Patient temperature management
Aesthetic laser cooling systems

A Closer Look at Smooth Flow Pumps

Our Medical Solutions

KNF provides diaphragm pumps for many applications in the medical field. These are not limited to diaphragm liquid pumps but also include gas pumps and vacuum pumps. They are used in all areas like therapy and treatment as well as diagnostics and analysis. Find out more about our medical solutions.

Learn more

Diaphragm Pumps for Inkjet

Inkjet systems rely on a number of different KNF diaphragm pumps. They not only move liquids, but also help clean printheads, remove waste and generate vacuum. At the same time, they avoid introducing serious issues such as ink foaming and ink starvation.
Get to know the entire range of applications for KNF pumps in the inkjet area.

Learn more

Liquid Transfer With Low Pressure Pulsation

In some applications, flow or pressure pump pulsation may cause serious issues such as ink foaming and ink starvation. Therefore, the new KNF FP series of smooth flow pumps was designed to provide a much smoother flow delivery.

Learn more

Get To Know the KNF Smooth Flow Pump Series

Would you like to know more about smooth flow pumps? Visit our product overview and find the pump for your specifications and requirements.

Go to Products

Smooth Flow Pumps