Vacuum Pump Units

Vacuum pump units are used in a wide range of applications across numerous industries and processes. In industrial manufacturing, they are applied for vacuum packaging, thin film coating, and metallurgy. In R&D, vacuum pump units are used for applications such as mass spectrometry, electron microscopy or residual gas analysis. They are also common in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors for sterilization, freeze drying, and medical suction systems.

A standard vacuum pump unit is equipped with a vacuum pump and a backing pump. For applications requiring higher pumping speeds, such as the evacuation of large process chambers, a second backing pump can be integrated into the vacuum pump unit to handle the large gas volumes. In such cases, a single backing pump alone cannot provide sufficient pumping speed and would be overloaded.

In applications such as mass spectrometry or electron microscopy, the vacuum pump unit itself serves as a backing pump in conjunction with a turbomolecular vacuum pump. This is necessary because turbomolecular vacuum pumps rely on a backing pump to achieve high vacuum levels (≤ 10^-3 hPa (mbar)). A single vacuum pump, such as a rotary vane vacuum pump, cannot reach the required low pressure on its own, so an additional vacuum booster is needed to generate the required vacuum conditions or handle the differential pressure from the atmosphere.

When selecting a vacuum pump unit, several key aspects should be considered. The primary factors are the application requirements, including the desired vacuum level, pumping speed, and compatibility with process gases to ensure reliable and safe operation. Operational aspects such as ease of maintenance and energy efficiency are important for ensuring continuous performance.

In addition, practical considerations like footprint, sound pressure level, and exhaust gas treatment may influence the choice. Economic factors, including availability, purchase price, and long-term operating costs, also play a critical role in the decision-making process.

Vacuum pump units generally combine different types of vacuum pumps or a vacuum pump with at least one vacuum booster, depending on the specific application requirements. Common combinations include a vacuum booster or a turbomolecular vacuum pump with a backing pump.

Multi-stage vacuum pump units with more than two vacuum pumps or two vacuum boosters are also available, especially for handling large gas volumes. The following types of backing pumps are typically used in vacuum pump units:

The Vacu² system is not a conventional vacuum pump unit. It enables a specialized multi-stage vacuum process designed to efficiently evacuate air from the shot sleeve and mold cavity in high-pressure die casting systems. This is particularly beneficial in applications involving large-volume die casting, where rapid and controlled degassing of the mold cavity is crucial for achieving high-quality components with superior mechanical properties, such as battery housings or structural body parts for the automotive industry.

In contrast to naturally vented or single-stage vacuum processes, the multi-stage vacuum process can significantly enhance component performance by reducing porosity, improving stability even with thinner wall sections. It also increases weldability and heat resistance.