Send an Email

New turbomolecular pump for compact, efficient vacuum systems

Leading manufacturer of vacuum equipment for scientific applications, Edwards, has launched a new pump for laboratory vacuum systems. The EXT406PX turbomolecular vacuum pump allows a customer to build cost-effective, compact vacuum systems, capable of withstanding high backing pressures even with continuous gas loads at the main inlet, and not just at ultimate vacuum. This new pump has been developed for use in combination with a backing pump of significantly smaller capacity, resulting in a vacuum system which consumes less power than comparable systems. This leads to a lower purchase cost, lower cost of ownership and reduced carbon footprint.

The EXT406PX is the first pump of its kind that combines turbomolecular and drag stages with an innovative fluid dynamic stage, allowing customers to achieve the same gas flow using a smaller backing pump. It offers reliable, high-speed, low-pressure performance and is available in two ranges. The ISO and CF 160 have Nitrogen (N2) pumping speeds of 400l/s (N2) and the ISO and CF 100 have N2 pumping speeds of 310l/s (340l/s for He). It can sustain normal operation at a backing pressure of up to 17mbar.

"This breakthrough in pump design is a real first in the marketplace," says Ian Olsen, Edwards Product Manager for Scientific Turbo Pumps. "Our patented EXT406PX turbo pump means customers are able to reduce the size of the backing pump used in the system, without compromising the performance of the turbo pumped system. Resulting in a reduced vacuum package size and lower running costs."

The pump also features an optional inlet port, which, when correctly employed, can offer additional steady-state pumping speeds up to 24m3/hr-1 at a pressure up to 4mbar.

The EXT406PX is supplied with a trapped o-ring seal for ISO variants or a 160 °C annealed copper gasket for the CF, both have inlet screens fitted. CSA/UL approved and easy to install, the pump has good protection against mains variation on the backing pump (and resultant backing pressure variation) and is usually driven by the ultra compact EXDC turbo controller operated from Edwards' popular Turbo Instrument Controller (TIC). The TIC has the ability to control the complete vacuum system including the turbo pump, backing pump and up to three gauges.

Crawley, UK (21 Jan 2008)