Piezoelectric technology designed for dispensing

The Pz 1200 valve manufactured by Fisnar and distributed in Italy by ISCRA dielectrics is an alternative to traditional needle dispensing. Thanks to piezoelectric technology, this solution allows non-contact jet dispensing of fluids, which makes dosing very flexible.  

ISCRA dielectrics, distributor of Fisnar, a US manufacturer of fluid dispensing systems, presents the Pz1200 valve, an innovative alternative to traditional needle dispensing. The Pz1200 valve uses piezoelectric technology, which enables it to carry out jet dispensing of fluids without contact with the surface of the object. This feature offers significant advantages, especially in terms of dispensing speed and application flexibility. Thanks to piezoelectric technology, the dispensing speed increases significantly; the Pz1200 valves can dispense fluids continuously at a maximum speed of 1200 Hz (2000 Hz maximum burst). This can be explained by looking at the design of the valve, which features a piezoelectric actuator consisting of two stacks of ceramic discs which change shape when voltage is applied. This process creates a deflection of the cantilever arm which lifts the ceramic sphere of the actuator off its seat, allowing fluid to fill the cavity. When the ball returns to its seat, the fluid droplet exits the valve. Compared to the design of a traditional air or spring-loaded valve, this cycle is much faster and takes place in milliseconds.  Also contributing to the fast-dosing time is the elimination or disconnection of the Z-axis, which is not necessary with this type of dosing and does not require the dispenser to approach the surface on which the fluid is deposited. The absence of contact with the object offers another great advantage: dispensing flexibility. The ability to break free from contact with the surface has two effects on dispensing, in terms of freedom of shape and freedom of dispensing.

High dosage levels and extensive process control

Pz1200 can easily dispense in hard-to-reach places, on uneven and irregularly shaped surfaces, in sensitive areas where the use of a traditional needle would make dispensing difficult, inaccurate or impossible. Besides, with the piezoelectric valve it is possible to dose vertically, horizontally and in the reverse direction. Dispensing is accurate and with a high degree of repeatability; it can be done in dots or in lines by dispensing contiguous dots, and multiple dispensing to achieve thicker deposits is possible without difficulty. Advanced piezoelectric ceramic technology enables the achievement of high dispensing levels and extensive process control. A closed loop heating element built into the valve enables stabilisation of fluid viscosity and helps to optimise spray capacity and control of the dispensing process. The Pz1200 valve is versatile, it can be configured to deliver either contact or contactless jet dispensing, accurately and at high speed. When used as a jet valve, Z-axis movement between cycles is eliminated, thereby increasing the speed of the production cycle. The scalability and design allow for short maintenance times, quick replacement of any wet parts and consequently reduced production downtime. Pz1200 is a modular valve and its unique design makes it completely versatile, configurable according to the application and the material to be deposited.