Troubleshooting Common Issues with Gas Mass Flow Controllers (MFCs)

2025-08-06

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About Gas Mass Flow Controller There are many questions, such as whether this type of quality control equipment can distinguish between gases such as acetone and toluene, whether it will be fatally damaged after being eroded by corrosive substances, and whether it needs the assistance of other media during operation.

So Using or selecting What are some common problems with gas mass flow controllers?

1. Can the range be changed?

1. Changing the range of an MFC usually involves replacing key components (such as the flow restrictor valve) and re-calibrating the range precisely. Therefore, users are generally not recommended to change the range themselves, and it is quite difficult.
2. Range change work should be carried out by the manufacturer or its authorized maintenance site to ensure accuracy and reliability. If the user believes that the initial range selection is inappropriate, it is recommended to contact the supplier or the original factory for professional support.
3. When changing the range, the compatibility of the flow display device must be considered simultaneously:

If the flow display is in percentage (%) mode, the display device generally does not need to be adjusted.

If the flow display is in absolute units (such as SCCM, SLM) mode, the display device usually needs to be adjusted accordingly to match the new range.

Alternative: Alternatively, you can choose not to adjust the display device, but multiply the displayed flow reading by a calibrated correction factor to obtain the actual flow value.

2. How to connect an analog gas mass flow controller to a computer?

The computer can be directly connected to the MFC or through the flow display and the MFC. For analog gas mass flow controllers, a conversion board generally needs to be installed on the computer. Analog-to-digital conversion is used to receive the flow measurement value, and digital-to-analog conversion is used to give the flow setting signal. This type of conversion board is easy to buy in the industrial control product market; if the gas mass flow controller is directly connected to the computer, the user needs to provide the power supply (the power supply requires strong anti-interference capability).

In addition, some people are concerned about the price of gas mass flow controllers. Industry insiders say that its price is mainly determined by its control capability and accuracy. The higher the accuracy, the higher the price, but for some places, it does not require high-precision flow control equipment. With its increasing popularity, it will also have wide applications in various high-tech fields in the future.

3. Factors affecting equipment prices?

The market price of MFCs is mainly affected by their core performance indicators, especially the flow control range and control accuracy. Generally speaking, equipment with higher accuracy requirements has correspondingly increased manufacturing costs and technical complexity, and the market price is often higher.
Users should comprehensively evaluate the accuracy requirements based on the actual application scenario when selecting. Not all applications require the highest precision MFC. Choosing a model that meets the process requirements and has a reasonable price-performance ratio is a more rational approach.
With the development of technology and the accumulation of application experience, MFCs have been widely used in industrial automation, semiconductor manufacturing, life sciences, new energy, and many other

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