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Get the replacement and repair parts you need for your vacuum pump design

Nothing cuts down on production and efficiency like malfunctioning equipment. In the event of a pump breakdown in your business, you need to get it repaired in the fastest time possible. Knowing where you can get replacement parts will solve your problem more quickly and keep your processes working with minimal downtime.

I recommend: Cover your needs for vacuum pump parts by choosing companies that carry supplies for various vacuum pump manufacturers. Precision Plus and GasFlo Products have replacement parts and accessories for many distributors; check out information on different models at Precision, or fill out a quote request at GasFlo for the specific parts you're looking for.

Choose a vacuum pump manufacturer to cover your accessory and supply needs

If you're upgrading your plant or factory, renovating older pumps or simply looking for some replacement accessories, find the pump supplies you need in a hurry. Check into your options for trap, filter, valve and hose suppliers and compare products to figure out which will work best for you and your business.

I recommend: The Pump Works provides filters, traps, valves, tubing and other industrial vacuum pumps supplies, and MassVac offers many of those elements as well as gauges and fittings.

Supply your business with the specialty vacuum pumps oils and fluids for continued operation

Last but not least, the moving parts of vacuum pumps require lubricant; a low supply of oils and fluids can slow your business just as surely as faulty parts. Evaluate your products and your choices for lubricants and choose the type and viscosity that are designed for the equipment you employ.

I recommend: Finish your specialty vacuum pumps accessories list by selecting some options for pump fluids and oils. Check out what's available from Ted Pella or Specialty Fluids. Both companies have several different lubricating oils designed for vacuum pumping equipment; choose the viscosity that befits your system.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since water, chemical and sewage vacuum pumps work with different materials, they sometimes wear down at different rates or require parts at disparate times. Routine inspection will give you an upper hand in knowing when to get the supplies for vacuum pumps mentioned in this guide.

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Determine the specifications of the vacuum pump you need

Vacuum pumps are differentiated by their pumping speed and power, as well as by the method they employ to create a vacuum. Keep in mind that low-flow equates to high vacuum, and high-flow equates to low vacuum. Vacuum power is measured in Pascals (kPa), torr or millimeters of mercury (mm HG), and may be constant or adjustable as needed. Small pumps tend to have higher efficiency; but if your application requires a vacuum pump to run continuously, then make sure the pump you choose is large enough and manufactured for constant use. Otherwise, you'll likely run into overheating.

I recommend: United Vacuum has good technical information on vacuum pumps, including a convenient vacuum rating conversion chart.

Shop around for the best prices on vacuum pump equipment

There are a huge number of vacuum pump manufacturers. Once you have your specifications narrowed down, by all means, do some price comparison.

I recommend: Grainger has a wide variety of pumps, including sewage vacuum pumps. Other vacuum pump manufacturers to look up, including makers specialty vacuum pumps, are Thomas and Tuthill Corporation. Varian makes pumps and sells vacuum generators as well. Also, Elmo Rietchle, which is a Gardner Denver product like Thomas, offers a good line of dry screw vacuum pumps.

Maintain and repair your industrial vacuum pumps

Vacuum pumps are hardworking devices. Since they can also be fairly expensive, it's smart to do whatever you can to get longevity out of them. Follow the instructions from your vacuum pump manufacturer, especially regarding lubrication and seal preservation.

I recommend: If repair is needed, The Pump Works services vacuum pumps nationwide.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many types of vacuum pumps can be connected in series for added pumping power.

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Learn the particulars of positive displacement vacuum pumping products for your requirements

The positive displacement vacuum pump is the most basic of the types. It uses the simple opening and closing of the pump, combined with the expansion of a sealed chamber, to work. These can range from manual pumps to electric or pneumatic vacuum pump products, and have several subcategories, including rotary vane, diaphragm, liquid ring and piston mechanisms.

I recommend: Get more information about specialty vacuum pumps basics by checking out positive displacement pump operation and usage advantages at Pump School, or get a description and animated illustration at Pump World. You can also learn about how liquid ring sewage vacuum pumps work at Wintek, a vacuum pump manufacturer.

Visit vacuum pump manufacturers' websites to increase your knowledge of molecular pumps

Momentum transfer, or molecular, pumps are a more specialized form of vacuum pump. Consisting of two primary types, the turbomolecular and diffusion pumps, momentum transfer devices rely on the movement of gas molecules through the pump toward a maintained vacuum. Applications of these are limited because they only work below certain fluid pressures.

I recommend: Increase your knowledge of vacuum pump equipment like molecular and diffusion pumps at Lesker Vacuum Systems and SPI Supplies. Lesker has a page that describes the workings of turbomolecular pumps as well as things to consider when selecting one for your business. SPI provides similar information applicable to diffusion pumps.

Find out more about specialty vacuum pumps in the entrapment pump category

Entrapment pumps also have several subcategories, which include cryopumps, getter pumps and ion pumps. Most entrapment equipment works either through the cooling of material for the purpose of condensing, through chemical reactions or through ionization of gases for propulsion. The application of these devices depend on the material you work with in your business or on the system in which you want to use them.

I recommend: Find more details about types of industrial vacuum pumps at Access My Library or SearchSystemsChannel.com; the former can give you additional info on getter pumps, and the latter provides ion pump information as well as connections to articles about business applications that might be useful to your company.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many vacuum pump manufacturers are out there, so once you've decided on the type of pump you need, consider your options. Some companies sell many types of pumps, and some specialize. If you're looking for one type, you might choose the company that specializes in it rather than one that makes everything.

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Positive-displacement (PD) pumps

In a positive-displacement pump, the device takes in liquid or gas from one area then seals off the area and dispels the liquid or gas out the other end.

I recommend: Pump School explains positive-displacement pumps.

Turbo molecular pumps

Turbo molecular pumps, sometimes called momentum transfer pumps, usually force a liquid or gas out using high speed rotating blades. Some turbo molecular pumps use a dense liquid to expel the liquid or gas.

I recommend: At Electronic Product News, you can view a sample of a turbo molecular pump.

Cryopump

A cryopump is a popular option. It uses a cold surface to trap various gasses. However, it does not work for all types of gasses, so you should double check which gas you need to remove before making a purchase. Cryopumps are sometimes used to block things that may cause contamination.

I recommend: Learn more about cryopumps from PTB-Sales.com.

Screw pump

A screw pump has an internal mechanism shaped like a screw that is used to create the vacuum action.

I recommend: Leistritz produces screw pumps and includes information about some of their features.

Ion pumps

If you are looking for a low-maintenance pump option for gasses, consider an ion pump. It uses ionization to remove gas from the chamber by turning it into a solid. Ion pumps do not have moving parts.

I recommend: Varian sells ion pumps and offers information and photos on their website.

Dry scroll pumps

Dry scroll pumps have an inner mechanism that looks like a scroll. They are called 'dry' because they do not use oil, which makes for a cleaner pump. Dry scroll pumps are also convenient because they are so compact yet powerful enough to work for many applications.

I recommend: Visit Ted Pella, Inc. to see examples of dry scroll pumps.