Application

Vacuum pumps for vacuum forming and thermoforming

In vacuum forming (thermoforming) a heated plastic sheet or film is placed over a mould and the air between the material and the mould is extracted; the air pressure presses the soft material into every contour. The same principle forms the bottom film of thermoform packaging, blister cavities, the pouch film of battery cells and veneer over wooden moulds. Below you can see how the application works, what vacuum the manufacturers name and which of their series are intended for it ā€“ 401 models from 6 manufacturers.

Compare 401 modelsHow it works

  • 401Models
  • 22Series
  • 6Manufacturers
  • 50ā€“200 mbarBCV series on inline thermoformers (Becker)
ABCDEFG

Touch the points: each part of the system explains itself.

In short

Thermoforming: the key facts

  • Three types of vacuumOn inline thermoformers Becker distinguishes forming vacuum, evacuation vacuum and control vacuum; the evacuation vacuum determines the residual oxygen in the pack.
  • Pumping speedFor inline thermoformers Becker names U5 with 65ā€“360 mĀ³/h, BCV with 100ā€“600 mĀ³/h at 50ā€“200 mbar and RBP with 500ā€“2,400 mĀ³/h; Elmo Rietschle lists the screw vacuum pumps S-VSI 100 and S-VSI 300 with 110ā€“380 mĀ³/h and an ultimate vacuum of 0.1 mbar (abs.).
  • Heated sheetAccording to Leybold, the heated plastic sheet is drawn onto the mould by vacuum; Leybold names SOGEVAC SV 220 B and SV 320 B as well as VACUBE for this. Pfeiffer Vacuum describes PVC that is heated and formed under vacuum at 1ā€“10 hPa and 100ā€“250 Ā°C.
  • PackagingBusch describes how the bottom film of thermoform packaging is formed into a tray and how vacuum forms blister cavities; for the forming station Busch names MINK and R5, for the sealing and evacuation station COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5.
ABCDEFG
  • Air and gas (vacuum)
  • Exhaust

Operating principle

How it works: Thermoforming

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

  1. HeatingThe sheet or film is heated until it is formable. Pfeiffer Vacuum names 100ā€“250 Ā°C for PVC.
  2. SuctionThe air between the material and the mould is extracted, and the air pressure presses the material into the mould. Leybold describes the heated plastic sheet that is drawn onto the mould by vacuum; Pfeiffer Vacuum names 1ā€“10 hPa.
  3. CoolingThe part cools in the mould and keeps its contour; the vacuum is released and the part is removed. In thermoform packaging machines the sealing and evacuation station follows (Busch).

Vacuum and sizing

Thermoforming: how much vacuum is needed

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

What vacuum

For BCV on inline thermoformers Becker names 50ā€“200 mbar and describes that the evacuation vacuum determines the residual oxygen. Pfeiffer Vacuum names 1ā€“10 hPa for thermoforming PVC. Elmo Rietschle states an ultimate vacuum of 0.1 mbar (abs.) for S-VSI 100 and S-VSI 300.

What pumping speed

Becker: U5 65ā€“360 mĀ³/h, BCV 100ā€“600 mĀ³/h, RBP 500ā€“2,400 mĀ³/h. Elmo Rietschle: S-VSI 100 and S-VSI 300 with 110ā€“380 mĀ³/h.

What determines the sizing

Becker separates forming, evacuation and control vacuum and works through an example for the BCV 300 with 2.9 kW instead of 4 kW. For thermoform packaging machines Busch distinguishes the forming station (MINK, R5) and the sealing and evacuation station (COBRA, PANDA/PUMA, R5).

What the manufacturers point out

Elmo Rietschle lists vacuum forming in data sheet D832 only as an application of the dry screw vacuum pump, without describing it. Edwards names claw vacuum pumps for vacuum forming and scroll vacuum pumps for shaping, Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll for injection moulding. For EPS moulded parts Atlas Copco names AWS and LRP VSD+; Elmo Rietschle describes the conveying of EPS and steam moulding processes.

Technology

Thermoforming: the vacuum pumps the manufacturers name

Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this application. ā€œShow only ā€¦ā€ sets the filter of the product overview.

Edwards names the application without naming a series for it.

Product overview

Thermoforming: all 401 models compared

Use the filters on the left to narrow the selection ā€“ by manufacturer, technology and the modelsā€™ key figures, for 50 or 60 Hz.

Atlas Copco AWS series 22 models

AWS 180Pumping speed 168 mĀ³/h 50 Hz202 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 280Pumping speed 246 mĀ³/h 50 Hz290 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 7.5 kW 50 Hz11 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 360Pumping speed 340 mĀ³/h 50 Hz412 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 11 kW 50 Hz15 kW 60 HzVariants 6
AWS 450Pumping speed 450 mĀ³/h 50 Hz535 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 15 kW 50 Hz22 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 600Pumping speed 600 mĀ³/h 50 Hz700 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 18.5 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 800Pumping speed 750 mĀ³/h 50 Hz888 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 22 kW 50 Hz30 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1100Pumping speed 1,080 mĀ³/h 50 Hz1,320 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz45 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1300Pumping speed 1,230 mĀ³/h 50 Hz1,452 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 37 kW 50 Hz55 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 1600Pumping speed 1,700 mĀ³/h 50 Hz2,000 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 45 kW 50 Hz75 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 2500Pumping speed 2,450 mĀ³/h 50 Hz2,780 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 75 kW 50 Hz90 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 3300Pumping speed 3,200 mĀ³/h 50 Hz3,840 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 75 kW 50 Hz110 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 3800Pumping speed 3,750 mĀ³/h 50 Hz4,520 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 90 kW 50 Hz132 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 5500Pumping speed 5,300 mĀ³/h 50 Hz5,850 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 160 kW 50 Hz185 kW 60 HzVariants 8
AWS 6500Pumping speed 6,510 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 169 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 8000Pumping speed 8,100 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 200 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 10000Pumping speed 9,450 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 235 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 12000Pumping speed 11,652 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 305 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 12500Pumping speed 11,820 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 253 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 16000Pumping speed 16,380 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 420 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 19000Pumping speed 18,250 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 430 kW 50 HzVariants 8
AWS 23000Pumping speed 22,800 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 33 mbarRated motor power 555 kW 50 HzVariants
AWS 26000Pumping speed 26,000 mĀ³/h 50 HzUltimate pressure 160 mbarRated motor power 590 kW 50 HzVariants

Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models

GHS 350 VSD+Pumping speed 400 mĀ³/h 50 Hz400 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.35 mbarRated motor power 5.5 kW 50 Hz5.5 kW 60 HzVariants 29
GHS 402 VSD+Pumping speed 467 mĀ³/h 50 Hz467 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 0.35 mbarRated motor power 5.5 ā€“ 7.5 kW 50 Hz5.5 ā€“ 7.5 kW 60 HzVariants 4

Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models

Becker BCV series 7 models

Becker RBP series 3 models

Becker U4 series 6 models

Becker U O2-PACK series 5 models

Becker U series 8 models

Becker VADS series 3 models

Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models

Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models

Busch MINK series 32 models

Busch PANDA/PUMA series 26 models

Busch R5 series 58 models

Busch SAMOS series 31 models

Busch SECO series 10 models

Busch TYR series 16 models

Elmo Rietschle S-SVT series 11 models

Elmo Rietschle S-VSI series 1 model

Leybold CLAWVAC series 5 models

Leybold SOGEVAC series 23 models

Pfeiffer Vacuum HiScroll series 4 models

Model comparison

Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its ā€œOutdated modelsā€ section.

Industries

Thermoforming: where the manufacturers name it

The manufacturers list these uses on their own pages.

Plastics and recycling

Becker, Busch, Edwards, Elmo Rietschle and Pfeiffer Vacuum name thermoforming in the plastics industry: according to Busch, thermoplastic sheets are drawn into shape by vacuum (R5, MINK), Edwards describes claw vacuum pumps that draw the film onto the mould, Pfeiffer Vacuum names 1ā€“10 hPa for PVC, Becker lists thermoforming, injection moulding and rubber moulding only as uses, Elmo Rietschle lists vacuum forming in the S-VSI data sheet.

Industry page: Plastics and recycling ā†’

Packaging

For inline thermoformers Becker names forming, evacuation and control vacuum (U5, BCV, RBP), Busch describes thermoform packaging and blister packaging ā€“ the bottom film is formed into a tray, the vacuum forms the blister cavities ā€“ with MINK, R5, SAMOS, SECO and TYR, Elmo Rietschle lists forming and blister packaging without description.

Industry page: Packaging ā†’

Battery manufacturing

Leybold describes the thermoforming of the pouch film of pouch cells under vacuum and names VARODRY, SOGEVAC and CLAWVAC for it.

Industry page: Battery manufacturing ā†’

Medical and healthcare

Atlas Copco names thermoforming and injection moulding for medical devices: vacuum removes the air from the moulds for syringes, housings and connectors.

Industry page: Medical and healthcare ā†’

Confectionery and bakery

Busch names moulding and forming in confectionery production: starch moulds are degassed before casting, with DOLPHIN, R5 and MINK.

Industry page: Confectionery and bakery ā†’

Woodworking

Busch describes the vacuum forming of wood and veneer over a mould and names R5 for it.

Fish farming and aquaculture

In fish farming and aquaculture Busch names the thermoforming of packaging with MINK and R5.

Industry page: Fish farming and aquaculture ā†’

Mechanical engineering and manufacturing

Leybold lists vacuum forming under general industry: the heated plastic sheet is drawn onto the mould by vacuum; SOGEVAC SV 220 B, SV 320 B and VACUBE are named.

Industry page: Mechanical engineering and manufacturing ā†’

Frequently asked questions

Thermoforming: frequently asked questions

How does thermoforming with vacuum work?

A thermoplastic sheet or film is heated and placed over the mould; then the air between the material and the mould is extracted. The air pressure presses the soft material into the mould. Leybold describes it as a heated plastic sheet that is drawn onto the mould by vacuum, Busch as thermoplastic sheets that are drawn into shape by vacuum. Pfeiffer Vacuum names 1ā€“10 hPa at 100ā€“250 Ā°C for PVC.

Which vacuum pump is suitable for thermoforming machines?

For thermoforming Busch names R5 and MINK, Becker U5, U5 O2-PACK, BCV and RBP for inline thermoformers (U4 and VADS 250 also in the table), Leybold SOGEVAC SV 220 B and SV 320 B, Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ for thermoforming and plastics forming, Elmo Rietschle S-VSI 100 and S-VSI 300, Edwards claw vacuum pumps. Which series fits depends on the vacuum and pumping speed required.

How much vacuum is needed for thermoforming?

For BCV on inline thermoformers Becker names 50ā€“200 mbar, Pfeiffer Vacuum 1ā€“10 hPa for thermoforming PVC. Elmo Rietschle states an ultimate vacuum of 0.1 mbar (abs.) for S-VSI. In thermoform packaging, according to Becker, the evacuation vacuum determines the residual oxygen in the pack.

Oil-free or oil-lubricated for thermoforming?

The manufacturers name both. Busch lists the oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump R5 and the dry claw vacuum pump MINK side by side, Becker the oil-lubricated U5 and the dry claw vacuum pump BCV, Leybold SOGEVAC (oil-lubricated) and, for pouch film, also CLAWVAC. Edwards names claw vacuum pumps, Elmo Rietschle the dry screw vacuum pump S-VSI.

What pumping speed does a thermoforming machine need?

For inline thermoformers Becker names, depending on the series, 65ā€“360 mĀ³/h (U5), 100ā€“600 mĀ³/h (BCV) and 500ā€“2,400 mĀ³/h (RBP), Elmo Rietschle 110ā€“380 mĀ³/h for S-VSI 100 and S-VSI 300.

What is the difference between forming vacuum, evacuation vacuum and control vacuum?

On inline thermoformers Becker distinguishes three vacuum circuits: the forming vacuum draws the film into the mould, the evacuation vacuum determines the residual oxygen in the pack, and the control vacuum is a separate circuit for the machine. Becker names U5, U5 O2-PACK, RBP and BCV for this.

Which vacuum pump for thermoform packaging machines?

On thermoform packaging machines Busch distinguishes the forming station, for which MINK and R5 are named, and the sealing and evacuation station with COBRA, PANDA/PUMA and R5. Becker names U5, U5 O2-PACK, RBP and BCV for inline thermoformers; Leybold names VARODRY, SOGEVAC and CLAWVAC for thermoforming pouch film.

Why are blister packs formed with vacuum?

According to Busch, the vacuum forms the blister cavities: the film is drawn into the mould before the product is inserted and the lidding film is applied. Busch names MINK, R5, SAMOS, SECO and TYR for this; Elmo Rietschle lists blister packaging without further description.

Can wood and veneer be vacuum formed?

Yes. In woodworking Busch describes how wood and veneer are drawn over a mould by vacuum, and names the R5 series for this.

Which vacuum pump for EPS moulded parts?

For moulding expanded polystyrene (EPS) Atlas Copco names the liquid ring vacuum pumps AWS and LRP VSD+. Elmo Rietschle describes the conveying of EPS and steam moulding processes, Edwards lists EPS foaming and moulding without description.

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 ā€“ 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.

Which pump suits your process?

Tell us the application, the medium and the volume ā€“ we advise you on selection, spare parts and service.

Send an enquirySpare parts and accessoriesService