Pioneering Intelligent Pump Technology: An Interview with KNF's CSMO and CTO
With the launch of an entirely new generation of diaphragm pumps, KNF is pushing the boundaries of pump technology further. Our interview gives insight into the background of this development.
The introduction of KNF’s new intelligent pumps marks a significant development in the history of diaphragm pump technology. In our interview, Chief Technology Officer Christian Kissling and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Reto Furrer explain the technical background of this innovation and the market demands that triggered this development.
What are the main advantages of these new intelligent pumps for customers?
Reto Furrer: These intelligent pump features represent a leap forward in precision and control. Each feature, whether for vacuum, gas, or liquid applications, uses integrated sensors and closed loop control, allowing real time adjustments to external and internal changes resulting in optimized performance. This means better efficiency, precision and reliability, and the integrated sensors will make the integration of our pump into a system much easier for our customers.
Christian Kissling: Technologically, we have embedded intelligence directly into the pump system. The vacuum pump precisely regulates vacuum levels, the gas pump maintains stable pressure, the liquid metering pump ensures consistent flow, and the dosing pump dispenses exactly the right amount of liquid. Previously, this level of control required external components and the development of control logic. Now, it is fully integrated. You might assume it is easy to combine a sensor with a pump and build a system yourself. In reality, it is far more complex. We have invested significant engineering efforts to ensure that the sensor and pump work together with high precision and reliability, while also being space-saving and cost-effective.
Why has KNF developed these intelligent pump features?
Christian Kissling: Many customers use external sensors to control pumps, but it is rarely straightforward. External sensors take up space, are often expensive, and even when they work, customers still need to develop the closed loop control themselves. That means writing software, tuning parameters, and testing everything extensively. We have done all of that work for them. Our intelligent pumps offer a ready-to-use solution that is compact, economic, and reliable.
Reto Furrer: We saw a clear need in the market. Customers want precision and control, but not every customer has the capacity, time, and resources to build it from scratch. By integrating the sensors and control logic directly into the pump, we make their lives easier and their systems better.
Can you explain how closed loop control works in these pumps?
Christian Kissling: Closed loop control means the pump continuously monitors its output, be it vacuum, pressure, or flow, and adjusts its operation to maintain the desired setpoint. For example, if the pressure level drops due to a system change like an opened valved on the pressure side, the pump compensates automatically by working harder to achieve the desired pressure. You can think of it as having cruise control inside the pump. It reacts instantly to changes, which is essential in applications like analytical instruments, medical devices, or industrial processes where precision is critical. This ensures stability and responsiveness.
How do these innovations support your customers and reflect KNF’s approach to technology development?
Reto Furrer: These intelligent pumps are the result of years of R&D and close collaboration with our customers. Thanks to these long-standing partnerships, we have gained a deep understanding of their challenges and can develop solutions that truly meet their needs. Rather than simply following trends, we focus on creating meaningful innovations that offer real value.
Christian Kissling: We have brought together our expertise in diaphragm pump technology with advanced electronics and software to create a product line that is smart, robust, and easy to integrate. Our goal was to develop technology that is not only new, but also practical and user-friendly. We invested significant time and resources to ensure these innovations make a tangible difference in our customers’ applications.
What industries or applications will benefit most from these intelligent features?
Reto Furrer: Anywhere precision matters. Analytical instruments, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, inkjet technologies and even food and beverage testing or water treatment, are just a few applications where intelligent pumps will provide substantial benefits. These pumps simplify system design and improve performance.
In general, most OEMs will appreciate the reduced need for external control systems. It saves space, reduces complexity, and shortens development cycles. And it will save them from headaches that come from trying to make sensors work with pumps. Getting started with our intelligent pumps is straightforward. One option is to simply connect them to a computer via USB and set various operating parameters. This makes them ideal for experiments, even if the final choice ultimately falls on a simpler pump without intelligent features.
Thank you for the interview!
