flow discs
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As a leading manufacturer in customised micro precision parts, Tecan provides the industry with high precision flow discs. In addition to gas flow discs, Tecan also provides various fluid flow discs widely used in industrial fluid monitor and control.

flow discs

A flow disc is a thin metal part with micro apertures to accurately control the flow stream. It is widely used in flow meters/regulators that require high accuracy of dispensing control, e.g. flow regulators for medical dispensing, flow meters for industrial gas control, etc. Thermal mass flow meters measure the mass flow of gases, employing a combination of heated elements and temperature sensors, with thermodynamic principles used to derive actual flow. In the thermal mass flow meter, the critical component is the laminar flow element (LFE). It is used to create a shunt. In the case of a thermal mass flow meter based on a bypass principle, the mass flow is measured in a bypass of the main flow channel. Due to the specific dimensions of the LFE the same linear pressure/flow characteristics as the capillary sensor tube can be created.

solutions

Our flow discs

  • Burr-free, stress-free, ultra-smooth surface
  • Extremely accurate hole features
  • All kinds of hole sizes, design patterns, complex contours achievable
  • Bio-compatible materials suitable for medical flow applications
  • 100% automated inspection possible
  • Scratch/pit free parts – preventing extra flow
flow disc

pushing the boundaries to enable next generation world-leading products

Chemical Etching solution for high tech company

The award-winning thermal mass flow meter which we have developed with our customer incorporates a high-precision laminar flow element solution with an integrated turbulence filter for mounting inside a fluid flow channel. This element is constructed with piled-up plates with inflow and outflow openings which incorporate grooves and channels.

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chemical etching

achieve accurate flow control with Tecan’s flow discs

flow control application note

Frequently Asked Questions

A flow disc is a thin metal component with precisely etched micro-apertures that regulate or restrict the flow of fluids and gases. Tecan manufactures flow discs in the UK for applications including medical dispensing, gas flow meters and laminar flow elements in thermal mass flow meters.

Flow discs are used wherever accurate flow control is required, including medical flow regulators, thermal mass flow meters, industrial gas flow measurement and microfluidic devices.

Tecan manufactures flow discs by photochemical etching, which produces accurate, burr-free, stress-free apertures. This delivers repeatable, consistent flow performance across high production volumes.

Flow discs can be made from stainless steel, nickel alloys and other metals, including bio-compatible materials for medical applications.

Tecan’s etched flow discs achieve a minimum feature size of approximately 20µm with a typical tolerance of ±10% of material thickness above 0.15mm and ±15µm minimum below 0.15mm.

Etched flow discs are burr-free and stress-free with no heat-affected zone, unlike drilled or laser-cut parts. This gives cleaner aperture edges and more predictable, repeatable flow.

Yes. Tecan manufactures custom micro-precision flow discs to your specification and offers design support and co-development from prototype through to volume production.