Industry
Vacuum pumps for plastics and recycling
Busch names vacuum in every step of plastics processing: granules, extrusion, moulded part and recycling. Leybold uses it for degassing extruders and for the quality of composites, Edwards for extracting gases and vapours at a lower processing temperature, Elmo Rietschle for moisture-sensitive polymers such as PET and PA. Below you can see which series the manufacturers themselves name for these tasks ā 776 models from 7 manufacturers.
Compare 776 modelsSee the applications
- 776Models
- 84Series
- 7Manufacturers
- 8Applications
In short
Plastics and recycling: vacuum pumps ā the key facts
- Extruder degassingFor extruder degassing Edwards names pumping speeds of 3 to 3,500 mĀ³/h and ultimate pressures down to 4Ć10ā»ā“ mbar. Leybold groups its EXTRUVAC solutions by pressure: VARODRY down to below 1 mbar, RUVAC Roots pumps for 1 to 20 mbar.
- CalibrationIn corrugated pipe production the vacuum forms and cools the pipe in a moving vacuum mould; Atlas Copco names 100 to 200 mbar(a) with the GHS VSD+ series for this. For profile calibration Busch names DOLPHIN, MINK and SAMOS.
- ThermoformingFor inline thermoformers Becker gives the U5 series with 65 to 360 mĀ³/h, RBP with 500 to 2,400 mĀ³/h and BCV with 100 to 600 mĀ³/h at 50 to 200 mbar. Pfeiffer Vacuum describes the vacuum forming of PVC at 1 to 10 hPa and 100 to 250 Ā°C.
- RecyclingBusch names vacuum for conveying, extrusion, pyrolysis and dissolution in plastics recycling, and a recycling rate of more than 90 % in lithium battery recycling. Edwards names melt degassing, depolymerisation, pyrolysis and SSP/LSP.
Applications
Plastics and recycling: what vacuum pumps are used for
For each application: what the vacuum does and which series the manufacturers name for it. The information comes from the manufacturersā own pages.
Extruder degassing and extrusion
Vacuum draws water vapour and gases out of the melt so that the product stays free of pores and bubbles. Edwards names 3 to 3,500 mĀ³/h and ultimate pressures down to 4Ć10ā»ā“ mbar for this, Leybold the EXTRUVAC CP (CLAWVAC) for small and medium-sized extruders as an alternative to liquid ring pumps and VARODRY for masterbatch and compounding at process pressures below 50 mbar. Atlas Copco names vacuum in several extrusion stages, in corrugated pipe production with 100 to 200 mbar(a).
- Atlas CopcoGHS VSD+, DZS VSD+, DWS, LRP VSD+
- BuschMINK, DOLPHIN, COBRA Industry, HUCKEPACK, R5, PANDA/PUMA, SAMOS
- EdwardsGXS, EDS, LR1A, LR1C, LR1D
- LeyboldCLAWVAC also names VARODRY and SCREWLINE (EXTRUVAC VD and SP)
- Pfeiffer VacuumHiLobe
- Elmo Rietschlenames extruder degassing and vacuum calibration without a series
- Beckernames extruder degassing only as an application
Vacuum forming, thermoforming and injection moulding
The vacuum draws the heated thermoplastic sheet into the mould. In the inline thermoformer Becker distinguishes forming vacuum, evacuation vacuum and control vacuum and names U5 with 65 to 360 mĀ³/h, RBP with 500 to 2,400 mĀ³/h and BCV with 100 to 600 mĀ³/h at 50 to 200 mbar. Elmo Rietschle lists vacuum forming for the S-VSI 100 and 300 screw vacuum pumps with 110 to 380 mĀ³/h and 0.1 mbar (abs.), and Pfeiffer Vacuum names HiScroll for injection moulding.
- BeckerU, U4, VADS, BCV also names U5 O2-PACK and RBP
- BuschR5, MINK
- Elmo RietschleS-VSI, S-SVT
- Pfeiffer VacuumHiScroll
- Edwardsnames claw vacuum pumps for thermoforming, without a series
More on Vacuum forming, thermoforming and injection moulding ā
Plastics and battery recycling
In recycling, vacuum works in conveying, extrusion, pyrolysis and dissolution, in which polymers are selectively dissolved in solvents. For lithium battery recycling Busch names shredding, drying and distilling under vacuum and a recycling rate of more than 90 %. Leybold names the SCREWLINE for PET degassing with monomers and water vapour, Edwards GXS and EDS for melt degassing, depolymerisation and SSP/LSP.
Pneumatic conveying of granules
A pressure difference in the pipeline moves powder, granules, semi-finished and finished goods; a separator upstream of the pump retains the conveyed material. For vacuum conveying Leybold names working pressures of often over 200 mbar, Elmo Rietschle side channel blowers for granules and compounds, Becker the VADS for oil-free transport of powdery substances.
Laminating, RTM and composites
Vacuum compacts laminates and removes trapped air (Leybold). In vacuum bagging, for example in rotor blade production, the resin is drawn through the fibre layers under the film, according to Busch; Busch names MINK and R5 for this and for resin transfer moulding (RTM). Leybold names SOGEVAC and CLAWVAC for composites and SCREWLINE, DRYVAC and RUVAC WSU for solar laminating, in which the polymer is degassed during bonding.
- BuschR5, MINK, COBRA Industry, PANDA/PUMA
- LeyboldSOGEVAC, CLAWVAC, SCREWLINE, RUVAC WS/WSU also names DRYVAC, NOVADRY and VARODRY
- Edwardsnames resin infusion, bagging, VARTM and pultrusion without a series
Degassing of melts and resins
Lowering the pressure releases dissolved gas from liquids and pastes; Busch names this for melts, Leybold for resins, from which bubbles and volatile substances are removed. Atlas Copco describes the degassing of polymers and degassing in the extruder against pores and bubbles.
Vacuum drying of granules and resins
Under vacuum, moisture evaporates at a lower temperature; Becker names evaporation from 20 to 40 Ā°C, Busch a reduction from weeks to a few days. Elmo Rietschle names the drying of hygroscopic resins and cites the short evacuation times of the S-VSI 300 with up to 380 mĀ³/h and 0.1 mbar (abs.) as an example for drying processes.
Vacuum clamping and handling of plastic sheets
Becker names the clamping of plastic sheets and loading and unloading at vacuum forming and injection moulding machines as applications: parts are held in place under vacuum or lifted and transferred automatically with suction cups. For pick & place Becker names KVT, VT and SV and a case study with 20,000 maintenance-free operating hours.
Manufacturers and series
Plastics and recycling: 7 manufacturers, 84 series
Listed are the series the manufacturer itself names for this industry. āShow only ā¦ā sets the filter of the product overview.
Atlas Copco
69 models Ā· 16ā5,136 mĀ³/h
Becker
102 models Ā· 1.9ā2,000 mĀ³/h
Busch
305 models Ā· 3ā16,160 mĀ³/h
Edwards
65 models Ā· 20ā8,100 mĀ³/h
Elmo Rietschle
132 models Ā· 10ā5,740 mĀ³/h
- V-VGD2
- V-VTN3
- V-VCB2
- V-VCA/VCE2
- G-BH1001
- V-VCS13
- V-VCX7
- V-KTR4
- C-KLR2
- C-VLR7
- V-VTR2
- C-VLU4
- S-VSI1
- S-SVT11
- G-BH125
- G-BH29
- G-BH715
- G-BH91
- L-BL27
- L-BV24
- L-BV31
- L-BV55
- L-BV74
Leybold
66 models Ā· 9.5ā4,700 mĀ³/h
Pfeiffer Vacuum
37 models Ā· 1.25ā13,540 mĀ³/h
Product overview
Plastics and recycling: all 776 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 AWC series 9 models
Atlas Copco DWS series 3 models
Atlas Copco DZS series 8 models
DZS 065APumping speed 65 mĀ³/h 50 Hz78 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 50 mbarRated motor power 1.8 kW 50 Hz2.2 kW 60 HzVariants 12Atlas Copco DZS VSD+ series 5 models
DZS 100 VSD+Pumping speed 105 mĀ³/h 50 Hz105 mĀ³/h 60 HzUltimate pressure 50 mbarRated motor power 3 kW 50 Hz3 kW 60 HzVariants 3Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models
Atlas Copco GLS series 2 models
Atlas Copco GVS series 9 models
Atlas Copco GVS VSD+ series 4 models
Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models
Atlas Copco ZRS series 5 models
Becker BCV series 7 models
Becker DVT series 4 models
Becker KVT series 4 models
Becker KVX series 4 models
Becker O series 6 models
Becker RBP series 3 models
Becker SV series 16 models
Becker T series 6 models
Becker U4 series 6 models
Becker U O2-PACK series 5 models
Becker U series 8 models
Becker VADS series 3 models
Becker VARIAIR RV series 1 model
Becker VASF series 6 models
Becker VATP series 1 model
Becker VTLF series 6 models
Becker VT series 7 models
Becker VXLF series 5 models
Becker VX series 4 models
Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models
Busch COBRA Semicon series 22 models
Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models
Busch HUCKEPACK series 4 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
Edwards EDC series 2 models
Edwards EDS series 3 models
Edwards GXS series 10 models
Edwards LR1A series 12 models
Edwards LR1C series 9 models
Edwards LR1D series 12 models
Edwards nEDC series 3 models
Edwards nES series 8 models
Edwards Stokes Microvac series 2 models
Edwards Stokes series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle C-KLR series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle C-VLR series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle C-VLU series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH1 series 25 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH2 series 9 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH7 series 15 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH9 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle G-BH100 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle L-BL2 series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV2 series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV3 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle L-BV5 series 5 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV7 series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle S-SVT series 11 models
Elmo Rietschle S-VSI series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle V-KTR series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCA/VCE series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCB series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCS series 13 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCX series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VGD series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VTN series 3 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VTR series 2 models
Leybold CLAWVAC series 5 models
Leybold DRYVAC series 9 models
Leybold NOVADRY series 4 models
Leybold RUVAC WA/WAU series 8 models
Leybold RUVAC WH/WHU series 7 models
Leybold RUVAC WS/WSU series 8 models
Leybold SCREWLINE series 2 models
Leybold SOGEVAC series 23 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
No model matches these filters.
Atlas Copco AWC series 9 models
Atlas Copco DWS series 3 models
Atlas Copco DZS series 8 models
Atlas Copco DZS VSD+ series 5 models
Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series 21 models
Atlas Copco GLS series 2 models
Atlas Copco GVS series 9 models
Atlas Copco GVS VSD+ series 4 models
Atlas Copco LRP VSD+ series 3 models
Atlas Copco ZRS series 5 models
Becker BCV series 7 models
Becker DVT series 4 models
Becker KVT series 4 models
Becker KVX series 4 models
Becker O series 6 models
Becker RBP series 3 models
Becker SV series 16 models
Becker T series 6 models
Becker U4 series 6 models
Becker U O2-PACK series 5 models
Becker U series 8 models
Becker VADS series 3 models
Becker VARIAIR RV series 1 model
Becker VASF series 6 models
Becker VATP series 1 model
Becker VTLF series 6 models
Becker VT series 7 models
Becker VXLF series 5 models
Becker VX series 4 models
Busch COBRA Industry series 36 models
Busch COBRA Semicon series 22 models
Busch DOLPHIN series 70 models
Busch HUCKEPACK series 4 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
Edwards EDC series 2 models
Edwards EDS series 3 models
Edwards GXS series 10 models
Edwards LR1A series 12 models
Edwards LR1C series 9 models
Edwards LR1D series 12 models
Edwards nEDC series 3 models
Edwards nES series 8 models
Edwards Stokes Microvac series 2 models
Edwards Stokes series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle C-KLR series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle C-VLR series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle C-VLU series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH1 series 25 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH2 series 9 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH7 series 15 models
Elmo Rietschle G-BH9 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle G-BH100 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle L-BL2 series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV2 series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV3 series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle L-BV5 series 5 models
Elmo Rietschle L-BV7 series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle S-SVT series 11 models
Elmo Rietschle S-VSI series 1 model
Elmo Rietschle V-KTR series 4 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCA/VCE series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCB series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCS series 13 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VCX series 7 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VGD series 2 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VTN series 3 models
Elmo Rietschle V-VTR series 2 models
Leybold CLAWVAC series 5 models
Leybold DRYVAC series 9 models
Leybold NOVADRY series 4 models
Leybold RUVAC WA/WAU series 8 models
Leybold RUVAC WH/WHU series 7 models
Leybold RUVAC WS/WSU series 8 models
Leybold SCREWLINE series 2 models
Leybold SOGEVAC series 23 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
Models a manufacturer no longer carries in its current range are listed in its āOutdated modelsā section.
Selection
Plastics and recycling: choosing a vacuum pump
What the manufacturers highlight for use in this industry.
Process pressure
The pressures named range from over 200 mbar in vacuum conveying (Leybold) through 100 to 200 mbar(a) in corrugated pipe calibration (Atlas Copco) to ultimate pressures below 1 mbar in extruder degassing. Leybold places VARODRY down to below 1 mbar and RUVAC Roots pumps at 1 to 20 mbar, Edwards names down to 4Ć10ā»ā“ mbar.
Water vapour and monomers
Water vapour and gases come out of the melt, and in PET also monomers (Edwards, Leybold). Elmo Rietschle names vacuum for moisture-sensitive polymers such as PET and PA. Leybold names the CLAWVAC as EXTRUVAC CP for small and medium-sized extruders as an alternative to liquid ring pumps, and the SCREWLINE for PET degassing.
Speed control
For the inline thermoformer Becker works out an example with a BCV 300 at 2.9 kW instead of 4 kW and names VARIAIR versions for KVT, KVX, VTLF, VXLF and BCV. For extrusion Atlas Copco names the speed-controlled GHS VSD+, DZS VSD+ and LRP VSD+ series.
Dust and granules
In conveying, a separator upstream of the pump retains the conveyed material (Leybold). Becker names the VADS for oil-free transport of powdery substances, Elmo Rietschle side channel blowers for granules and compounds.
Frequently asked questions
Plastics and recycling: frequently asked questions about vacuum pumps
Which vacuum pump is suitable for extruder degassing?
The manufacturers name different pump types: Edwards GXS, EDS and the liquid ring pumps LR1A, LR1C and LR1D, Leybold the CLAWVAC as EXTRUVAC CP for small and medium-sized extruders and the SCREWLINE for PET, Busch MINK, DOLPHIN, COBRA and HUCKEPACK, Pfeiffer Vacuum the HiLobe. For extrusion Atlas Copco names GHS VSD+, DZS VSD+, DWS and LRP VSD+.
How much vacuum does degassing in the extruder need?
That depends on the process. For masterbatch and compounding Leybold names process pressures below 50 mbar and places VARODRY down to below 1 mbar and RUVAC Roots pumps at 1 to 20 mbar. For extruder degassing Edwards names ultimate pressures down to 4Ć10ā»ā“ mbar at 3 to 3,500 mĀ³/h.
Which vacuum pump for vacuum calibration of profiles and pipes?
For profile calibration Busch names DOLPHIN, MINK and SAMOS, Edwards the LR liquid ring pumps. For corrugated pipe production Atlas Copco gives 100 to 200 mbar(a) with the GHS VSD+; Elmo Rietschle describes vacuum calibrators that ensure shape and dimensions.
Which vacuum pump for vacuum forming plastics?
For inline thermoformers Becker names U5 with 65 to 360 mĀ³/h, RBP with 500 to 2,400 mĀ³/h and BCV with 100 to 600 mĀ³/h at 50 to 200 mbar. Busch names R5 and MINK, Elmo Rietschle the S-VSI screw vacuum pumps with 110 to 380 mĀ³/h and 0.1 mbar (abs.). Pfeiffer Vacuum describes the vacuum forming of PVC at 1 to 10 hPa.
Why is vacuum used in extrusion?
Vacuum removes gases and water vapour from the melt and so ensures quality (Busch, Edwards). Atlas Copco names gases and moisture in the extruder as the cause of pores and bubbles. In calibration, a constant vacuum keeps the profile dimensionally accurate and stable in shape.
Which vacuum pump for plastics recycling?
Busch names COBRA, DOLPHIN, MINK, R5 and SAMOS for conveying, extrusion, pyrolysis and dissolution, Edwards GXS and EDS for melt degassing, depolymerisation and SSP/LSP, Leybold the SCREWLINE for PET degassing with monomers and water vapour, Pfeiffer Vacuum the HiLobe for drying, degassing and dissolution.
Which vacuum pump for injection moulding?
Busch names MINK and R5, Pfeiffer Vacuum the HiScroll. Becker lists injection moulding and rubber moulding among the applications in which systems are evacuated, and names loading and unloading at injection moulding machines as a pick & place task.
Which vacuum pump for pneumatic conveying of granules?
For pneumatic conveying Busch names MINK, R5, SAMOS and TYR, and for conveying plastics specifically SAMOS and TYR. Elmo Rietschle names side channel blowers of the G series for granules and compounds, Leybold CLAWVAC and SOGEVAC with working pressures of often over 200 mbar, Becker the VADS for oil-free transport of powdery substances.
Which vacuum pump for resin infusion and fibre composite parts?
Busch names MINK and R5 for RTM and vacuum bagging, for example in rotor blade production. Leybold names SOGEVAC and CLAWVAC for composites and describes how the vacuum compacts and de-aerates the laminate during curing. For the resin infusion of rotor blades Edwards names wet and dry pump carts.
What to do with moist polymers such as PET or PA?
Elmo Rietschle explicitly names vacuum for moisture-sensitive polymers such as PET and PA. Edwards names GXS and EDS for water vapour and gases from the melt, Leybold the SCREWLINE for PET degassing with monomers and water vapour. Edwards also names degassing for films and sheets made of PE, PP, PA and EVOH.
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 number of machines ā we advise you on selection, spare parts and service.
