You need a tiny pump for your new machine. It has to fit in a small space. It also has to move just a little liquid at a time. So where do you start? Do you pick the motor, the flow, or the tube first?

Innofluid Co., Ltd. is a micro peristaltic pump manufacturer with 20 years of R&D experience. It shares full flow charts for its MicroPump Series. These charts show one clear thing. The motor sets the speed. The tube sets the flow.

First, choose the motor. From 0.1 to 350 rpm, a stepper motor may be run. A DC motor runs at a steady speed of 350 rpm. It also costs less. Choose a tube that fits your flow next. Finally, see what the maker can sustain.

In this guide, you will learn how the three MicroPump models vary. You will learn about how the tube and the gear influence the flow. You will also find information on what to look for before purchasing.

What Is a Micro Peristaltic Pump, and Where Does It Fit?

A small pump called a micro peristaltic pump pushes liquid via a flexible tube. Inside, rollers rotate and squeeze the tube. The liquid just touches the tube. So the pump itself remains clean. This kind of small peristaltic pump is often seen inside another company's machine.

A peristaltic pump head plus a motor make up an OEM micro peristaltic pump. You plug it right into your own device. Innofluid shows its MicroPump Series in its OEM pump and pump head range. It sits next to 20 other pump head families.

Micro Peristaltic Pump Key Facts at a Glance

Ask every micro peristaltic pump manufacturer for these five facts. After that, you only have three things to choose. Pick the motor, the flow range, and the tube.

How Do the Three MicroPump Models Compare?

The MicroPump Series uses one peristaltic pump head. You can pair it with three kinds of motor. The basic model and the stepper model have the same speed and flow. The DC model runs at just one speed.

MicroPump Model Comparison

All three pages say the same four things. The pump looks nice and is small. It comes in rich colors. It is also a good fit for OEM use. The base MicroPump model page helps the most. It shows both motor types in one flow chart. It also has a video on how to fit the tube.

Stepper or DC: Which Motor Suits Your Device?

In a small peristaltic pump, the motor matters a lot. It decides how you control the speed. It changes the price. It also sets the power the pump needs.

When Does a Stepper Motor Peristaltic Pump Make Sense?

A stepper motor peristaltic pump is the right pick when your flow needs to change. Its speed goes from 0.1 to 350 rpm. At the lowest speed, flow falls to just 0.004 mL/min. So it works well as a microflow peristaltic pump. It suits slow and careful dosing.

You can pick from two motor sizes: a 35 stepper or a 42 stepper. Both reach 350 rpm. The 42 stepper works with all four tubes. The 35 stepper shows no flow for the B22 tube.

The site labels this model "External control." So ask the micro peristaltic pump manufacturer which control signals it can use. You will find all the details on the stepper-driven MicroPump page.

Where Does a DC Motor Peristaltic Pump Save Money?

A DC motor peristaltic pump helps you save money. It is best when your machine needs the same flow every time. The motor runs at one steady speed of 350 rpm. Flow goes up to 149.23 mL/min. You can pick 24V, 12V, or 6V power.

The site labels this model "Low cost." If your flow never changes, you do not need speed control. So you do not pay for it. See the DC motor MicroPump build page for all options.

Brushed or Brushless: What Changes?

A brushless DC peristaltic pump moves the same amount of liquid as a brushed one. This holds at every voltage. Each voltage also has its own pair of codes: 24V (HA/HD), 12V (HB/HE), and 6V (HC/HF).

The site does not say which type lasts longer. It does not say which one is quieter, either. So ask the supplier before you choose.

What Flow Can You Expect From Each Tube?

Two things set the flow: the tube size and the gear. A good micro peristaltic pump manufacturer lists the flow for each tube. It does not share just one big number. The table below uses PharMed BPT tubes. All flow is shown in mL/min.

MicroPump Flow Rate by Tube Size

How Does the Gear Change the Flow?

A double gear makes the DC flow much smaller. It drops to less than one tenth of the single gear flow. On a B04 tube, flow goes from 14.88 down to 1.28 mL/min. So a DC model can still work as a low flow peristaltic pump.

How Much Liquid Moves in One Turn?

You can work this out with easy math. Just divide the flow by the speed. At 350 rpm, a B04 tube moves about 0.04 mL in each turn. A B22 tube moves about 0.43 mL. The same math shows where the lowest flow of this microflow peristaltic pump comes from. A B04 tube at 0.1 rpm moves about 0.004 mL/min.

Try to pick a tube where your flow sits near the middle of its range. Avoid a tube that must run at full speed all the time.

Which PharMed BPT Tube Should the Pump Head Use?

The MicroPump peristaltic pump head works with four PharMed BPT tubes. Their sizes are B04, B06, B10, and B22. The inside widths are 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mm. The flow chart lists B04 as 1.0 × 1.1 mm. The other three have a 1.0 mm wall.

Each product page shows you how to fit the tube, step by step. Innofluid's own tubing grade comparison guide says PharMed BPT works from −59°C to +135°C. It also says this tube can last up to 30 times longer than plain silicone in a pump. So you will change tubes less often in your finished machine.

Ask any micro peristaltic pump manufacturer which tube it used for its flow numbers. Flow from one type of tube may not match another.

How Should You Check a Micro Peristaltic Pump Manufacturer?

You should check a micro peristaltic pump manufacturer on three things. First, what does it focus on? Second, how strong is its R&D? Third, can you see proof for yourself? Innofluid Co., Ltd. is based in Shanghai, China. It shows these points on its homepage.

Innofluid Proof Points You Can Confirm

Focusing on one area: The company works mainly on peristaltic pumps. It designs, builds, and sells them itself. It also does its own R&D.

Factory introduction: It has 20 years of R&D experience. It holds 119 patents. It sells to customers in 110 countries.

R&D strength: 26% of its staff work in R&D. It brings out 3 to 5 new product series each year.

Factory certification: All its products are CE certified.

Accuracy milestone: The company says its dosing accuracy is ±0.5%. The MicroPump pages do not give a number for this series. So ask for test results.

Buyer tools: You can download a datasheet from every MicroPump page. Each page also has a live chat for questions.

The site does not say how long delivery takes. It does not share the factory size either. So when you get a quote, ask them to put the delivery time in writing.

What Sizing Mistakes Do OEM Buyers Often Make?

Buyers often make the same few mistakes when they size an OEM micro peristaltic pump. Here are four of the most common ones.

Four Common Sizing Mistakes

Running the pump at full flow: If it already runs at its top flow, you cannot turn it up later.

Using a DC model when your dose must change: The DC model runs at just one speed: 350 rpm.

Using the 35 stepper with a B22 tube: The site lists no flow for this pair. Pick the 42 stepper instead.

Thinking a low flow peristaltic pump always needs a stepper: A DC model with a double gear can go as low as 1.28 mL/min on a B04 tube.

What Should Your OEM Order Include?

Your OEM order should cover ten points. Send them to the micro peristaltic pump manufacturer you pick. Do it in your very first message:

1. Motor type: stepper or DC

2. Stepper size: 35 or 42

3. Power: 24V, 12V, or 6V

4. Brushed or brushless DC peristaltic pump

5. Single or double gear

6. Tube size: B04, B06, B10, or B22

7. Control needs, such as outside signals

8. Color choice

9. Space for mounting (check the size drawings in mm)

10. Order amount

Frequently Asked Questions

What flow range does a micro peristaltic pump cover?

The MicroPump Series moves 0.004 to 149.23 mL/min. For the lowest flow, use a stepper at slow speed. For the highest flow, use the B22 tube.

Stepper models: 0.004 to 149.23 mL/min

DC with a double gear: a low flow peristaltic pump option from 1.28 mL/min

How is a stepper motor peristaltic pump different from a DC one?

A stepper motor peristaltic pump can change its speed from 0.1 to 350 rpm. A DC model runs at one speed only: 350 rpm. The site calls the DC model "Low cost."

Stepper: best when your microflow peristaltic pump dose needs to change

DC: best when you want the same flow every time

Which power options does a DC motor peristaltic pump use here?

The MicroPump DC motor peristaltic pump comes in 24V, 12V, and 6V. You get the same flow with all three.

Every voltage comes in brushed and brushless types

Every voltage offers a single or double gear

Is a brushless DC peristaltic pump better than a brushed one?

A brushless DC peristaltic pump moves the same amount of liquid as a brushed one in this series. The site does not say which lasts longer or runs quieter. So ask the maker.

Same flow at 24V, 12V, and 6V

Code pairs: HA/HD, HB/HE, and HC/HF

Is the MicroPump Series CE certified?

Yes, the MicroPump Series is CE certified. The company says all of its products are CE certified. Ask any micro peristaltic pump manufacturer for a copy of the certificate.

You can see this claim on the company homepage

You can download a datasheet from each product page

Conclusion

Motor, flow, and tubing go together in a simple order. First, pick the motor. Next, match your flow to a tube and gear. Last, check what the maker can prove.

Do you need an OEM micro peristaltic pump? Innofluid Co., Ltd. shares every number used in this guide. So you can size a small peristaltic pump before you even call. When your list is ready, send it through the contact form to ask for a quote.