Zikodrive Motor Controllers (both stepper motor drivers and brushless motor controllers or ESCs) are especially well suited to pump applications and broader process control applications.
We work with a wide range of pump manufacturers from peristaltic to diaphragm and gear pumps and we understand what’s required to get the best possible performance from a broad range of pump types.
Whether you’re looking for a basic ‘off the shelf’ stepper driver to get your peristaltic pump moving or you’re a pump manufacturer who needs a customised brushless motor controller designing and manufacturing to fit inside a gear pump, we can help!
We’ll work closely with you to understand the specification for the pump you have. If it’s a simple design that requires a basic drive then we can probably provide this with a stock controller. However, if it’s a more complex requirement then that’s where we can really help you out. We regularly provide pump and process control manufacturers with controllers that can operate in the following modes (or include the following features);
Constant speed under variable load.
High resolution speed control.
Current monitoring.
Under voltage monitoring.
Stall detection.
User interface connections.
User selectable features (for example microstep resolution on stepper controls or current settings).
Fully programmable either by user or in factory as required.
Customised layout / envelope design to fit perfectly with other features in the pump.
Interfaces to a range of communications protocols as required.
Highly accurate dosing control.
Interfacing with a range of signal inputs relevant to pumping (for example flow meters to control speed).
Perfectly optimised for the motor being used in the application.
Temperature monitoring.
Range of power source inputs from normal mains power through to battery and solar power option
Optional further outputs (for example to control a solenoid or other relevant parts of the design).
Data logging and reporting.
Our aim is to deliver the perfect motor controller for the pump that you are using – whether this be possible with a stock item or a modified or bespoke design controller. We want to deliver perfect performance, robust construction and long life.
When setting up and optimising a pump, there are a huge number of factors to consider. Sensorless pumps in particular can have a number of challenges to deal with. Many of these challenges can be solved by ensuring you have a controller that is specifically optimised to the specific pump and application you have.
We can deliver carefully optimised controllers for your specific pump. Alternatively, you could choose a controller featuring ZikoOptimise, our patent pending auto optimisation technology that continuously monitors motor performance and optimises the drive accordingly. This technology can have a huge impact on overall efficiency, as well as improving application versatility and setup time. In addition, it is very simple to use and improves the potential for your pump to deal with changes in load and environmental changes.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your requirements.
As increasing numbers of applications require remote or cordless operation we have developed a range of options to ensure long lasting reliable performance for these type of applications. Ranging from methods to address the changing voltage input through to safety measures such as under voltage protection, we can include what you need to deliver your pump. Typical measures we would use on this type of project are;
Under voltage protection.
Voltage and curent monitoring.
Data logging if required.
Over current protection.
Over temperature cut out.
Temperature monitoring (including external temperature monitoring inputs to directly monitor motors or batteries).
Maximum power point tracking for solar inputs (aimed at finding the optimal voltage/current crossover point from a changing solar panel output).
Of course, if your application required any other features these can also be incorporated at the design stage. Please contact our team to discuss your requirements if you feel that there is something that you would require but is not mentioned here.
We offer a wide range of options for peristaltic pumps but by far the most common is the use of stepper motor controllers and stepper motors to direct drive the pump. Our standard range currently offers up to 1/128 microstepping delivering exceptional dosing accuracy as well as reduced noise and smoother performance. We also offer the ZD10LCD stepper motor controller with built in user interface which is perfectly optimised for peristaltic pumps and can be supplied pre-programmed with our pump settings on. If interested you can find out more about pump mode on the zD10LCD here.
Key features include;
Easy user dosing calibration – run the fluid through, measure dosed, input the data and the system will calibrate enabling easy repeat dosing.
Simple run mode with speed and run time selection.
Analogue input mode for easy use with external controllers.
Beyond the ZD10LCD we offer 2 main stock stepper motor controllers for peristaltic pumps. These are the ZDSP 2A controller and the ZD10 stepper motor controller. Both units are used widely with a range of pumps and motors from NEMA 11s up to NEMA 23.
We regularly carry out bespoke design projects in the peristaltic pump market, delivering tailored solutions for a range of customers around the world. To that end, if there is something that you would be interested in pursuing, please have a look at our bespoke motor controller design page and request a quote.
As you are most likely aware, brushless motors offer huge benefits over brushed DC and AC motors, especially in pump applications where weight and energy efficiency can be hugely important. We offer a wide range of brushless motor controllers for pumps including sensorless, sensored, trapezoidal and sinusoidal designs. This is also our most common area of bespoke motor control design so we have a wealth of experience in getting the right controller for your pump.
Increasing numbers of pump manufacturers are choosing sensorless brushless DC motors as a result of their increased reliability and higher speeds. We have several off the shelf controllers to get you started and can work with you to design a specification that works for every single aspect of your project. Typical options that we could incorporate into a new design brushless pump project would be;
Optimised running programmes.
Constant speed option (sometimes referred to as speed governing or constant speed under variable pressure).
Safety cut outs (temperature, over current, under voltage).
Optional sinusoidal, trapezoidal, FOC control.
Optional 2 or 4 quadrant control.
Compact and lightweight design.
Possible integration into existing cases.
Sensored or sensorless operation.
If you are unsure on the best option for your particular pump then please contact our team to discuss your requirements, they’ll be happy to work with you to get you up and running in the quickest possible time.
For larger customers we can setup a motor controller that enables you to quickly and easily install a range of programming options onto the same hardware. Our team can come out and visit you, setup the required software and then show staff how to programme and test units. The process is quick and easy to learn and carry out and can provide a huge range of options for different pump models and different customer requirements.
This is true of both our standard range of controllers (both brushless and stepper) but also of any new custom designs we might carry out for you.
Equally, if programming is not what you want to be doing and you have customers who require a quick and easy way of making changes themselves then this is something that we can also implement. Whether it be dip switches, solder pads or an external programmer unit which can eb quickly plugged into the controller and used to set parameters, we are happy to develop this for you.
If this sounds like something that would interest you then please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
When changing from DC motors to brushless or stepper motors it is really important to understand the specific nature of the application and pump performance.
In general we would suggest that you have a look at our main frequently asked questions section which has several articles on this subject or if you’d rather get in touch with us directly we would be happy to help.
Broadly speaking it depends on the RPM you are looking to achieve. At low RPMs (<600rpm) stepper motors will have much more control and will deliver a much smoother performance.
At higher RPMs (>600rpm) it is likely that brushless DC will deliver more efficiency and better performance.
Generally speaking customised controllers become seriously cost effective once you go over the 1000 units/year mark. However, that said, we have a number of customers who we have saved money who take approximately 200 units/year. As with a lot of the factors involved, it really does depend on your specific project so we would always encourage you to get in touch with us to have a discussion as to how we might be able to help.
Ultimately, it depends on the functionality that you require from the pump. If all you need is a simple run programme that starts as soon as voltage is applied with a relatively low life span then there is probably little point in using a Zikodrive brushless DC motor controller.
However, our motor controllers can offer a huge amount of performance advantages against low cost brushless ESCs. These include:
Well, the quickest option would be to give us a call to discuss your requirements.
However, if you prefer to read a bit more about it before giving us a call then you can. We regularly add new information to our FAQs and ZikoUniversity pages to try and help prospective customers find out what the best option is for them.
We also do our best to man our online chat system from our UK office so if that is online then you can always ask us there.
It depends on the specific nature of the dosing application. For low volume it is nearly always best to use stepper motors and controllers as these provide much more positional accuracy. However, if the system is required to dose in higher volumes then stepper motors may not be able to deliver the volume required. In this case a brushless DC motor and controller can be a good option. You can find out more about dosing with brushless DC motors and controllers here – there are several potential methods that can be used.
In addition to this there are further benefits to be had from exploring using a geared brushless DC motor and controller. For more information on this it is usually best to get in touch with us to discuss your specific requirements so that we can then make an informed recommendation.
We understand.
We can provide any of our stock motor controllers as ‘own brand’ or white label motor controllers. This incurs a small retooling charge and will have to be quoted accordingly.
