Application

Vacuum pumps for 3D printing and additive manufacturing

In metal 3D printing, powder is melted layer by layer with a laser or electron beam – in a build chamber without air. In electron beam melting, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, the vacuum prevents oxidation and guides the beam; in laser melting systems, according to Becker, the build chamber is evacuated before it is filled with inert gas. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it – 179 models from 3 manufacturers.

Compare 179 modelsHow it works

  • 179Models
  • 9Series
  • 3Manufacturers
  • ~5×10⁻⁵ hPaElectron beam melting (Pfeiffer Vacuum)
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Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

3D printing and additive manufacturing: the key facts

  • Electron beamFor electron beam melting, Pfeiffer Vacuum names about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa: the vacuum prevents oxidation and guides the beam.
  • Inert gasBecker: the build chamber is evacuated before it is filled with inert gas; in laser melting 3D printers, the shielding gas is extracted, filtered and returned – with SV and VASF.
  • Leak rateFor inert gas recirculation, Becker names a leak rate below 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s.
  • Stable vacuumFor additive manufacturing, Busch names stable vacuum conditions and the series COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5 (in the product finder).
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  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: 3D printing and additive manufacturing

The drawing shows the basic principle in section. The systems and pumps of the individual manufacturers differ in detail.

  1. EvacuationThe build chamber is pumped down – in electron beam melting, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, to about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa; in laser melting, according to Becker, before it is filled with inert gas.
  2. MeltingA laser or electron beam melts the powder layer by layer. According to Pfeiffer Vacuum, the vacuum prevents oxidation and guides the beam; Busch names stable vacuum conditions.
  3. RemovalAfter the build process, the build chamber is vented and the part is lifted out of the powder. Becker names conveying metal powder under inert gas with SV and VASF.

Vacuum and sizing

3D printing and additive manufacturing: how much vacuum is needed

What the manufacturers say about pressure, pumping speed and sizing.

Which vacuum

For electron beam melting, Pfeiffer Vacuum names about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa. Busch names stable vacuum conditions; Becker names a leak rate below 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s for inert gas recirculation.

Inert gas

For laser melting 3D printers, Becker describes three tasks: evacuating the build chamber before filling with inert gas, extracting, filtering and returning the shielding gas, and conveying metal powder under inert gas – the last two with SV and VASF.

Which pumps

Busch names COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5 (in the product finder), Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll as well as the COMBI family, and Becker names SV and VASF.

Technology

3D printing and additive manufacturing: the vacuum pumps the manufacturers name

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this application. “Show only …” sets the filter of the product overview.

Product overview

3D printing and additive manufacturing: all 179 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection – by manufacturer, technology and the models’ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

Becker SV series 16 models

SV 130/2Pumping speed 70 m³/h 50 Hz85 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 620 – 830 mbarRated motor power 0.55 – 1.1 kW 50 Hz0.66 – 1.3 kW 60 HzVariants 11
SV 200/2Pumping speed 90 m³/h 50 Hz110 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 670 mbarRated motor power 1.1 – 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.3 – 1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 9
SV 201/2Pumping speed 90 m³/h 50 Hz110 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 600 – 720 mbarRated motor power 1.1 – 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.3 – 1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 9
SV 130/1Pumping speed 130 m³/h 50 Hz160 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 760 – 925 mbarRated motor power 0.55 – 1.5 kW 50 Hz0.66 – 1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 19
SV 300/2Pumping speed 160 m³/h 50 Hz190 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 595 – 650 mbarRated motor power 2.2 – 3 kW 50 Hz2.65 – 3.6 kW 60 HzVariants 7
SV 200/1Pumping speed 180 m³/h 50 Hz230 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 785 – 850 mbarRated motor power 1.1 – 1.5 kW 50 Hz1.3 – 1.8 kW 60 HzVariants 9
SV 201/1Pumping speed 190 m³/h 50 Hz230 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 725 – 860 mbarRated motor power 1.1 – 2.2 kW 50 Hz1.3 – 2.65 kW 60 HzVariants 12
SV 400/2Pumping speed 195 m³/h 50 Hz235 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 560 mbarRated motor power 3 – 5.5 kW 50 Hz3.6 – 6.6 kW 60 HzVariants 12
SV 500/2Pumping speed 260 m³/h 50 Hz305 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 590 – 720 mbarRated motor power 3 – 5.5 kW 50 Hz3.6 – 6.6 kW 60 HzVariants 12
SV 300/1Pumping speed 325 m³/h 50 Hz390 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 710 – 830 mbarRated motor power 2.2 – 4 kW 50 Hz2.65 – 4.8 kW 60 HzVariants 11
SV 700/2Pumping speed 375 m³/h 50 Hz435 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 600 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz9 kW 60 HzVariants 3
SV 400/1Pumping speed 390 m³/h 50 Hz470 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 685 – 790 mbarRated motor power 3 – 5.5 kW 50 Hz3.6 – 6.6 kW 60 HzVariants 12
SV 1100/2Pumping speed 510 m³/h 50 Hz605 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 610 – 660 mbarRated motor power 7.5 – 11 kW 50 Hz9 – 13.2 kW 60 HzVariants 6
SV 500/1Pumping speed 510 m³/h 50 Hz610 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 645 – 800 mbarRated motor power 4 – 7.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 – 9 kW 60 HzVariants 12
SV 700/1Pumping speed 750 m³/h 50 Hz900 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 660 – 800 mbarRated motor power 5.5 – 11 kW 50 Hz6.6 – 13.2 kW 60 HzVariants 10
SV 1100/1Pumping speed 1,050 m³/h 50 Hz1,250 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 680 – 840 mbarRated motor power 7.5 – 15 kW 50 Hz9 – 18 kW 60 HzVariants 9

Becker VASF series 6 models

VASF 2.50/2Pumping speed 24 m³/h 50 Hz24 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 440 mbarRated motor power Variants
VASF 2.80/2Pumping speed 45 m³/h 50 Hz45 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 430 mbarRated motor power Variants
VASF 2.50/1Pumping speed 48 m³/h 50 Hz48 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 710 mbarRated motor power Variants
VASF 2.120/2Pumping speed 71 m³/h 50 Hz71 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 540 mbarRated motor power Variants
VASF 2.80/1Pumping speed 90 m³/h 50 Hz90 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 710 mbarRated motor power Variants
VASF 2.120/1Pumping speed 143 m³/h 50 Hz143 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 770 mbarRated motor power Variants

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

COBRA NS 0070 CPumping speed 70 m³/h 50 Hz85 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.03 mbarRated motor power 4 kW 50 Hz4.4 kW 60 HzVariants
COBRA NC 0100 BPumping speed 110 m³/h 50 Hz130 m³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.05 mbarRated motor power 3.5 kW 50 Hz4.8 kW 60 HzVariants 4

Busch PANDA/PUMA series 26 models

Busch R5 series 58 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum ACP series 4 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum DuoVane series 12 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiLobe series 17 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll series 4 models

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its “Outdated models” section.

Industries

3D printing and additive manufacturing: where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Metallurgy and heat treatment

Busch and Pfeiffer Vacuum list 3D printing under metallurgy and heat treatment – metal powder is melted in the build chamber without oxygen, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum at about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa in electron beam melting.

Industry page: Metallurgy and heat treatment →

Automotive and transport

Busch names additive manufacturing for automotive and transport, with stable vacuum conditions and COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5; Pfeiffer Vacuum also lists 3D printing in this industry.

Industry page: Automotive and transport →

Mechanical engineering and manufacturing

For mechanical engineering, Becker names laser melting 3D printers: evacuating the build chamber, recirculating the shielding gas and conveying metal powder under inert gas with SV and VASF.

Industry page: Mechanical engineering and manufacturing →

Medical and healthcare

Pfeiffer Vacuum also lists 3D printing under the medical and healthcare sector, without describing it there in more detail.

Industry page: Medical and healthcare →

Frequently asked questions

3D printing and additive manufacturing: frequently asked questions

How does 3D printing in a vacuum work?

Metal powder is melted layer by layer in the build chamber. In electron beam melting, according to Pfeiffer Vacuum, the build chamber is evacuated to about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa – the vacuum prevents oxidation and guides the beam. In laser melting systems, according to Becker, the build chamber is evacuated and then filled with inert gas.

Why does electron beam melting need a vacuum?

According to Pfeiffer Vacuum, the vacuum prevents oxidation of the powder and guides the electron beam. Pfeiffer Vacuum names about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa for this.

How much vacuum does a metal 3D printer need?

For electron beam melting, Pfeiffer Vacuum names about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa. Busch names stable vacuum conditions. For laser melting systems, Becker names a leak rate below 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s for inert gas recirculation.

Which vacuum pump for 3D printing?

Busch names COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum names ACP, DuoVane, HiLobe and HiScroll as well as the COMBI family. Becker names SV and VASF for inert gas recirculation and for conveying metal powder under inert gas; Becker lists evacuating the build chamber without naming a series.

Why is the build chamber evacuated before the inert gas is let in?

Becker lists evacuating the build chamber before filling with inert gas as an application, without describing it in more detail. If the air is pumped out beforehand, less oxygen remains in the build chamber when it is filled with inert gas.

What is inert gas recirculation in laser melting?

According to Becker, the shielding gas in laser melting 3D printers is extracted, filtered and returned. Becker names SV and VASF and a leak rate below 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s for this.

What leak rate does the build chamber need?

For inert gas recirculation in laser melting 3D printers, Becker names a leak rate below 1×10⁻⁵ mbar·l/s. For electron beam melting, Pfeiffer Vacuum names a pressure of about 5×10⁻⁵ hPa.

Which pump conveys metal powder under inert gas?

Becker lists conveying metal powder under inert gas with SV and VASF, without describing it in more detail.

Which series does Busch name for additive manufacturing?

Busch names COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5 and describes stable vacuum conditions as a requirement. Busch’s product finder lists products from COBRA and R5 for 3D printing.

A single pump or a central vacuum system?

A central system in a room of its own keeps noise and heat away from production and matches its output to the demand. Central vacuum systems are planned and built by Eugen Theis Vakuum, a company of the Ehrler & Beck group – more under Central Vacuum.

Does Ehrler & Beck also supply spare parts and service?

Yes. Ehrler & Beck offers original spare parts and accessories as well as maintenance and repair.

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