Bioreactor Controller | AFC 900 Series

Bioreactor Controller

for Research & Process Development Laboratories

Designed as a “drop in” replacement system for bench-top reactors, the AFC 900 bioreactor controller outclasses its competition thanks to a reliable, dedicated and open process control system.

ILS optionally provides the AFC 900 with Broadley-James or Chemglass microbial or cell culture glass reactors ranging from 3 to 20 liters. The AFC bioreactor controller supports a heating blanket or jacketed reactors with a separate water box. The AFC also controls other reactor vendors such as B.Braun/Sartorius, Applikon, and New Brunswick (NBS).

  • Our best-in-class AFC line of bioreactor controllers are designed with long-term support and operation in mind

  • AFC controllers are completely customizable and built to your exact specifications

  • afc 927 bioreactor controller
  • afc 927 plus 1 bioreactor controller
afc 927 bioreactor controller with feature callouts

ILS Batch Expert+ Software

  • Adaptable: Customers can customize a system to meet their needs both now and in the future. Software features are often added to meet the ever-changing needs of process development or the introduction and integration of new measurement technology.

  • IoT Approach: We apply the notion of the Internet of Things (IoT) to laboratory automation. Our controllers integrate smart control elements and instruments in smart ways. Often this implies a digital interface to read and write actual numbers instead of an analog 4-20 mA approximation. Richer and more accurate/precise data is presented for data analysis and automation. Be it gas flow controllers (Alicat and Brooks), digital probes (Mettler ISM, Hamilton Visiferm), scales (Mettler, Sartorius, OHAUS, etc.), cell density (Hamilton Incyte, ABER, Fogale), the IoT approach provides smarter solutions.

  • Open: ILS first-and-foremost provides solutions — not just a piece of equipment that is unpacked from a box. To achieve this goal, we don’t hide behind proprietary equipment or software that is rigid and would conform to our thoughts of what our customers need. Our platforms grow and scale to adapt to customer needs through an open software and hardware system based on industrial grade, off-the-shelf components.

  • Remote Support: ILS often supports our customers through a remote VPN connection (LogMeIn, Citrix Receiver, etc.). Our customers claim that we have an obsession with bioreactor control and performance tuning. Combining our AFC controller with our BE+ platform, the slightest DO oscillation or anomaly spurs our interest. Through this interaction and customer feedback, we continually learn and improve our products and solutions. Also, we are often not on-site when questions and issues arise just before a 5:00 pm Friday inoculation, so any automation to help the end users is greatly appreciated.

Bioreactor Controller Specifications

  • NEW AFC 928: Micro pumps replace syringe pumps for very low flow applications with precise control down to 0.05 ml/hr
  • NEW AFC 928: 3 full size and 4 micro Watson Marlow variable speed pump heads per reactor
  • AFC 927/928 controls two reactors, AFC 917 controls a single reactor
  • Standard 500 W stirrer motor (~0.5 HP) supports 2 — 15L reactors
  • Controls a variety of glass reactors including Applikon, Sartorius, Broadley James, New Brunswick and Millipore Single-Use
  • Flexible design supports either heat blanket or jacketed reactors with water box
  • Cell Culture or Microbial applications with same configuration
  • Gas mixing supports one to six gas flow controllers for multiple sparging and headspace ports
  • Open, non-proprietary design allows for easy customization. Customers have access to the controller software and detailed wiring diagram.

  • Mettler-Toledo: ISM pH, pCO2, Redox, Optical DO, polarographic DO
  • Hamilton: Optical DO, VisiFerm pH, Incyte Cell Density (MODBUS)
  • Aber: Biomass Monitor (MODBUS)

  • 2 Digital Probe Interfaces for Mettler-Toledo ISM (DO, pH, dissolved CO2)
  • 1 Mettler-Toledo Optical DO
  • 1 Hamilton Optical DO
  • 1 MODBUS
  • 1 Analog pH
  • 1 Analog DO
  • 1 Temperature (PT100)
  • 1 Foam

  • 1 110V AC Power Plug for Heating Blanket (Heat only temperature control)
  • 2 RS-232 or RS-485 Serial Ports for Digital Scales (or other devices)
  • 4 Additional 4-20 mA or 0-10 volt Analog Inputs

  • MODBUS TCP Communication Interface
  • Kepware OPC Server License
    Kepware OPC server license included

  • 1 RTD PT100 Temperature Probe with cable (6mm OD)
  • 1 Servo Motor & Controller
  • 1 Coupler “Snout” to connect Servo Motor to the Agitator Shaft

    PID Loops for Temperature, pH, and DO as per customer specification, includes:

  • Temperature – jacket/blanket, heating/cooling
  • DO Cascade to agitation/gas mixing
  • Setpoint Deadband for pH
  • PID Integral Deadband
  • Acid/Base/Gas mixing for pH
  • Setpoint profile
  • Weight Loss PID with Scales & Pumps – Mass Flow, Mass Charge, Level Control
  • pCO2 PID with CO2 and Air/N2
  • Capability for Perfusion setups
  • Calibration for all measurements (pH, temperature, gas flow, agitation, DO, pCO2)

Related Products

AFC 2000
AFC Complete Bioprocess Control System
Batch Expert+

What Clients Say

Our production rate increased by over 50% after ILS installed the AFC controller system.
Our fermentations are running fantastic after ILS installed the new equipment and software.