Every manufacturer should know that vacuum chambers are an essential tool in many industrial processes. A vacuum chamber is an enclosed space with a pressure range lower than the atmospheric pressure outside. This low pressure allows manufacturers to perform processes such as metal degassing, drying and freeze-drying without the risk of oxidation, acid etching or outgassing.
Vacuum chambers also provide a clean environment for coating deposition or testing, as well as for medical or research purposes. Using a vacuum chamber can improve product quality and increase productivity.
Here are five things you should know about ultra high vacuum products, like the ones we offer at GNB.
Enclosure Of A Vacuum System
A vacuum system is an essential component of many industrial processes, from metal degassing to coating deposition. To ensure the effectiveness of this system, it must be properly enclosed. An enclosure is a vacuum chamber built to help keep the environment free from contaminants that can affect the quality of the process carried out inside it.
By selecting the right materials and construction techniques for an enclosure, manufacturers can maximize the efficiency and safety of their vacuum systems. When selecting materials and methods for enclosing a vacuum system, manufacturers should consider factors such as pump-down time, ultimate vacuum level, process cooling, cleanliness and chemical resistance.
Additionally, the removal of moisture vapor inside an enclosure should be taken into account when evaluating material options and construction techniques. The use of proper enclosures ensures that vacuum systems run safely and effectively for years to come.
Clean Environment
Vacuum chambers are a necessary part of many industrial processes, from metal degassing to freeze-drying. By using a vacuum chamber, manufacturers can create a clean and sterile environment for their products during processing. This helps reduce the risk of contamination or damage to the product quality during production or storage.
The use of a vacuum chamber also eliminates the need for harsh chemical treatments or methods that could have an adverse effect on the product’s quality. An example of this is sterilizing almonds with CO2. By regulating pressure within the vacuum chamber, manufacturers can ensure that their products remain safe and undamaged during storage and transport.
By utilizing a clean, pollutant-free environment inside the vacuum chamber, manufacturers can ensure that their products are processed in an optimal manner and reach consumers in pristine condition.
Used In Many Industrial Processes
Vacuum chambers are a staple of many industrial processes, from silicon crystal growing to decorative coatings. By using a vacuum chamber, manufacturers can create an airless environment for their products during processing. This helps ensure the industrial process produces parts with no risk of contamination or damage. Additionally, by utilizing a vacuum chamber, manufacturers can get a specific atmospheric pressure and gas mixtures to control the reaction rate of their processes, ensuring that their products are manufactured in the optimal way for each application.
Vacuum chambers also provide environmental protection from airborne pollutants or contaminants and can prevent decomposition due to oxidation or hydrolysis.
Vacuum-chamber based coating deposition is often used in the production of a wide range of products, from computer microprocessors to large solar panels. By using a vacuum chamber during deposition, manufacturers can ensure that the coating adheres properly and evenly across their product’s surfaces. Additional benefits include improved product quality due to better uniformity as well as increased durability and longevity of the product’s surface.
Medical and Scientific Applications
Vacuum chambers are not just limited to industrial applications; they can also be used for scientific research, testing, medical and cancer treatment purposes.
The use of vacuum chambers for testing also allows manufacturers to assess the effectiveness of seals and gaskets on their products or validate material properties by using powerful X-rays and lasers. In the medical industry, vacuum chambers are often used for sterilizing surgical instruments and storing pharmaceuticals. Vacuum chambers are also used in MRI machines, proton cancer therapies, boron-activated neutron cancer therapies and cyber knives. Lastly, many research laboratories around the world utilize vacuum chambers to create controlled conditions essential for conducting precision experiments.
Regardless of its application, a vacuum chamber can provide a clean and sterile environment to improve product quality and safety while reducing costs.
There Are Different Types Of Vacuum Chambers
It is important to understand the differences between certain types of vacuum chambers.
- Roughing Vacuum Chambers: For low vacuum applications down to 1×10-3 Torr. These vacuum chambers are used for vacuum sealing, electrical transformer degassing, food processing, air conditioners and numerous applications where most of the air is removed. Oil pumps such as rotary vane pumps and scroll pumps are used to achieve rough vacuum.
- High Vacuum Chambers: Are used in the pressure range of 1×10-3 Torr to 1 X 10-7 Torr. In a high vacuum the mean-free-path of a gas molecule is larger than the vacuum vessel. Many industrial processes such as coating systems, heat treatment and medical process are performed in high vacuum. In addition to roughing vacuum pumps additional high vacuum pumps such as turbo pumps, diffusion pumps and cryopumps are used. Cold traps and Meisner coils are often used to reduce the pressure by trapping water vapor.
- Ultra high vacuum chambers have pressures of 1×10-7 Torr or lower. These are typically used in synchrotrons, cyclotrons, linear accelerators and other scientific research.
Where Can I Buy A Vacuum Chamber?
GNB provides an array of services, including custom fabrication of vacuum chambers and components. Additionally, GNB’s experienced technicians can assist with troubleshooting existing systems or selecting the best product for the job.
What sets GNB apart from our competitors is our commitment to customer service and satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, we’re happy to provide advice and guidance during every step of your purchase journey. We also have an expansive inventory of parts that are ready for immediate delivery, allowing you to quickly install replacement components as you make changes and modifications to your vacuum systems.
From start to finish, GNB provides an unparalleled level of quality and service when it comes to high vacuum chambers. Our comprehensive selection means there’s something available no matter what type of application you need it for, making us one of the most trusted names in the vacuum technology industry when it comes time to make a purchase decision.
So, if you have any questions, ranging from low gas permeable materials, to ISO flanges, to vacuum line heaters, to low vapor pressures, to the material of chamber walls, to the best vacuum surface finishes, we can answer any of your questions. Plus, we offer customizable vacuum chamber manufacturing. So, whatever you need, we can build it.