For many Australian industries, the humble vacuum pump plays an essential role behind the scenes, powering production lines, supporting packaging operations, ensuring clean environments, and maintaining product quality. Whether your business operates in manufacturing, medical, food processing, or electronics, or myriad of industries, selecting the right vacuum pump can dramatically influence efficiency, maintenance costs, and output reliability.
With so many vacuum pump options on the market, including oil-free rotary vane, oil lubricated rotary vane, side channel, liquid ring, screw, claw & more, it’s vital to understand which system best suits your industry’s unique needs.
Why the Right Vacuum Pump Matters
A vacuum pump may seem like a small part of your production setup, but it can be the difference between smooth, efficient performance and costly downtime. The wrong choice can lead to energy inefficiency, excessive maintenance, pump failure and even product contamination. Conversely, the right pump will deliver dependable performance, lower operating costs and a cleaner working environment, all while aligning with your industry’s standards and expectations.
Even within the same industry or work environment it is not one pump type fits all. A work place may have several different pump types to achieve different outcomes within the manufacturing cycle.
The main determinates of what pump type you need come down to vacuum level, flow rate, presence of moisture and the mix of gas being drawn through the pump. Temperature and elevation above sea level can also have a bearing.
Oil-Free Vacuum Pumps
Oil-free vacuum pumps are ideal for applications that do not require the level of vacuum achieved by an oil sealed vacuum pump.
Oil-free vacuum pumps are the top choice in environments where cleanliness is critical. Because they operate without oil lubrication, there is no risk of oil vapour or residue entering your production process. This makes them ideal for sensitive environments such as food packaging, medical applications, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where even trace contamination can compromise safety and compliance.
These pumps also offer a low-maintenance advantage. With fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes, oil-free pumps save both time and operating costs. Becker’s VT, KVT, and VTLF Series, for instance, are widely recognised for their reliability and quiet operation. They are particularly well-suited for processes that require consistent, clean vacuum performance from vacuum conveying, hold down applications, pick & place to suction systems in healthcare facilities.
Many modern oil-free pumps also feature variable speed drive (VSD) options, like Becker’s Variair technology, which automatically adjusts power output based on demand. This results in lower energy consumption, extended service life, and a smaller carbon footprint, key advantages for businesses committed to sustainable operations.
Oil Lubricated Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps
Oil-lubricated Rotary vane vacuum pumps, on the other hand, are known for their deeper vacuum and durability. Oil-lubricated rotary vane pumps are often used in industrial and manufacturing environments where stronger vacuum performance and higher-pressure levels are required. They can also handle a moist environment better than a dry vane pump.
These pumps excel in processes such as plastic moulding, meat packaging, distilling, de-gassing and heavy packaging operations, where long, continuous run times are the norm. The oil acts as a lubricant and cooling medium, extending the life of internal components and maintaining strong vacuum performance over time. However, this also means they require routine maintenance, such as oil changes and filter replacements, to ensure optimal operation.
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying
Before investing in a vacuum pump, consider these critical factors:
• Know your vacuum pressure requirement– This will determine what choices you have in vacuum pump types
• Know your flow rate – It is the combination of flow and pressure that is critical to success
• Know what will pass through your pump – With these 3 combined pieces of information your pump supplier can set you on the right path to success
• Know your supplier – a quality supplier will be able to work with you to get the best solution
Ready to find the perfect vacuum pump for your business?
At Becker Pumps Australia, we’re proud to provide world-class oil-free, oil lubricated rotary vane, side channel and claw pump solutions designed for performance, reliability, and efficiency. Our expert team can help you match the right model to your specific application, ensuring your system runs cleaner, longer, and smarter.
Get in touch with Becker Pumps Australia today to discuss your needs or request a tailored quote.
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