A dental suction system runs all day. Yet its needs change constantly: one chair, then three, then none. A fixed-speed machine runs at the same speed in every case. A variable-speed suction system, driven by an inverter, adapts its effort to actual demand. That is the principle behind Cattani's Smart series.
The principle: consumption proportional to use
With the inverter, the suction system's power consumption is proportional to use. Cattani puts it this way in its Turbo Smart brochure: up to 50% energy savings compared with a fixed-speed suction system.
The Micro Smart brochure refers to VSD technology, for variable speed. It cites three effects: longer motor life, lower consumption and lower operating costs.
Programmable vacuum, the other lever
Using less energy also means not drawing harder than necessary. On Smart suction systems, the vacuum is programmable. The operator sets it as needed. The unit then automatically adapts the vacuum to the demand from the chairs.
On the Micro-Smart, Cattani describes three levels:
- 70 mbar for the saliva ejector;
- 100 mbar for the HVE cannula;
- 210 mbar for the surgical cannula.
The saliva ejector does not need the power of a surgical cannula. The machine knows this and slows down.
Smaller suction units
Variable speed has also changed the size of the machines. The Turbo Smart and Micro Smart Cube brochure sums it up: before 2005, a 4-chair practice needed a 22 kg suction unit; after 2005, with Turbo Smart, a 10.5 kg unit is enough.
Current models confirm this logic:
- the Micro-Smart uses a suction unit of just 7 kg;
- the Micro-Smart Cube uses a 6 kg Uni-Jet 25 suction unit;
- the Turbo-Smart Cube A uses a 9 kg Uni-Jet 40 suction unit.
For the Cube versions, Cattani states that smaller motors save electricity and reduce noise.
Cattani also states 50% less raw material and 30 to 50% lower power consumption. These are manufacturer statements, published in its Turbo Smart brochure.
Some power ratings
To give an idea of the orders of magnitude, here are the power ratings published by Cattani:
- Micro-Smart Cube: 0.95 kW;
- Micro-Smart: 1.12 kW;
- Turbo-Smart Cube A: 1.2 kW;
- Turbo-Smart A : 1.5 kW;
- Turbo-Smart B: 2 kW;
- Turbo-Smart HP: 3 kW.
These values are maximums. Thanks to the inverter, the machine only reaches them when demand requires it. The Turbo Smart HP leaflet also highlights significant energy savings compared with fixed-speed suction systems.
Monitoring consumption day to day
Smart suction systems inform the operator on their display: vacuum, maintenance, current draw, machine temperature, amalgam level and operating hours. You can see what your suction system consumes.
Turbo-Smart, Turbo-Smart TS, Turbo-Smart 2V, Turbo-Smart Cube, Micro-Smart and Micro-Smart Cube can also be controlled with the SmartApp application, on a tablet or smartphone. The practice monitors the status of its suction system without going down to the equipment room.
The same principle for suction and compressed air
Blok-Jet Silent centralized solutions apply the same idea to the whole installation. On the Blok-Jet Silent 2, the software adapts energy consumption to the number of operators using the suction system and the compressor.
The undersizing trap
To save money at purchase, it can be tempting to choose a smaller machine. Cattani advises against it. According to the manufacturer, the saving at purchase is not real: an undersized machine costs you suction unit lifetime and energy savings. A suction system that constantly runs at its maximum no longer benefits from variable speed.
The right reflex: size according to the number of chairs working simultaneously, using Cattani's recommendations. See the page Choose my equipment.
A long-term commitment
At Cattani, energy saving is not an isolated selling point. The manufacturer describes a research-driven strategy, focused in particular on energy saving. Its Smart manual puts it this way: invest in research, increase performance, reduce costs, reduce environmental impact.
To find out more, see the page Why Cattani and the full range on the page Suction.
A Cattani specialist can advise you
Replacing a fixed-speed suction system? Describe your practice: number of chairs working simultaneously, procedures, equipment room. A Cattani specialist will suggest a Smart suction system sized to make the most of variable speed.
Ask a Cattani specialist for advice
Sources: Cattani documentation, Turbo Smart brochure 02-2020, p. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8; Cattani documentation, Micro Smart brochure 02-2020, p. 3 and 6; Cattani documentation, Turbo Smart and Micro Smart Cube brochure 02-2020, p. 3 and 4; Cattani documentation, Turbo Smart HP leaflet 05-2023, p. 2; Cattani documentation, manual Smart 04-2024 (FR), p. 5, 32 and 64; Cattani documentation, manual Maxi Smart 04-2025, p. 15; Cattani documentation, manual Blok-Jet Silent 09-2021, p. 9; Cattani, product sheets Micro-Smart, Micro-Smart Cube, Turbo-Smart A, Turbo-Smart Cube A and Turbo-Smart HP (cattani.it); Cattani, company page (cattani.it).