The Sable Systems MFC-2 mass flow controller electronics unit is designed to supply the carefully-regulated ±15V supply that gas-phase mass flow controller valves require, together with two precise user-variable voltage reference sources. These variable voltage sources determine the rate of mass air flow through industry-standard external mass flow controller valve(s) supplied by the user or by Sable Systems. All of the required voltages, in keeping with the "Field Aware" philosophy of Sable Systems, are internally generated by the MFC-2 from an unregulated voltage input of 11 - 15 VDC at less than 1A (a power supply is supplied with the unit). Like all of our "Field Aware" products, the MFC-2 is fully protected against reverse polarity connection.

The MFC-2 can control two separate mass flow controller valves simultaneously. (If you need to control up to four valves, and would appreciate built-in gas mixing capability, may we suggest our MFC-4?) Flow rates are set via a quick, intuitive menu system that prevents accidental adjustment. All settings are retained in non-volatile memory with a rated retention of 100 years. Most competing products use cheap panel-mounting pre-set potentiometers with a limited adjustment life. The MFC-2 can also be controlled remotely, via an industry-standard serial port or a USB-to-serial adapter. The protocol is simple and fully documented.

An alphanumeric, two-line, backlit digital display is provided so that the user can easily read both the set and the actual mass flow rates of both attached mass flow controllers at once, with a resolution of 0.1%. This simple capability, essential to obtaining reliable data and for de-bugging plumbing problems, is lacking from most competitive units. Analog voltages proportional to the actual mass flow rates of attached mass flow controller valves are available in buffered voltage form from two BNC connectors on the front panel, allowing dynamic variation of mass flow rates during a recording if mass flow rates are recorded simultaneously with other variables. The analog outputs are calibrated at each turn-on, ensuring their optimal accuracy.

Speaking of accuracy, the MFC-2's basic measurement and control accuracy is guaranteed better than 0.05% - far better than that of any mass flow control valve. Thus, the MFC-2 will not contribute any significant errors to your control system. Each MFC-2 is calibrated against NIST-traceable voltmeters prior to shipping.

The MFC-2 is a compact and light, but robust and highly reliable unit comparable in price to larger, heavier units that can only supply a single mass flow controller, use inferior internal electronics, are less accurate, are more difficult to adjust and use, and are completely dependent on a source of 120/220 VAC power.

The MFC-2 can be used with any industry-standard mass flow controller valve. Output pin connections conform to the industry standard. A cable for supplying a standard mass flow controller valve with a 20-pin card-edge connector is supplied with the MFC-2. Additional cables for supplying further mass flow controllers can be ordered from Sable Systems, as can the mass flow controllers themselves, in maximum flow rates ranging from 10 ml/min to 15 litres/min. Mass flow controller valves can be used to push or pull controlled air flows with any good pump, such as the grid-powered pump supplied with our respirometry systems or our PP-2 bench/field pump.

The MFC-2 does not have to be used with two mass flow controllers; it works perfectly well with one, and it can even be used with industry-standard mass flow meters if knowledge of mass flow rates is more important than their precise control.

Developed originally for our premium turn-key respirometry systems, the MFC-2 and its predecessors generated so much interest and enthusiasm that Sable Systems now markets it as a stand-alone instrument that can be acquired individually. To our knowledge, no comparable unit exists.

If you have any questions about our MFC-2 or any of our other products, do not hesitate to contact us.

Sable Systems is a company founded by scientists for scientists. We are certain that you will enjoy doing business with us.