If your vacuum pump is malfunctioning, you are faced with a choice: repair or replacement.
Busch Vacuum Solutions’ guide will take you through both options and provide recommendations on when it makes sense to repair vacuum pumps and when to replace them. The company also looks at how to spot and diagnose common issues before they lead to system failure.
The basics
Whatever the path of action, the decision to repair or replace always begins with testing and diagnosis. A factory-trained service technician who specialises in vacuum pump services inspects the equipment and identifies the problem.
Repair
If your vacuum pump can be repaired, faulty components are removed and replaced, and the equipment is returned to manufacturer specifications.
Pros
Cons
Replacement
If you opt to replace your vacuum pump, the existing one will be removed and a brand new pump will be installed.
Pros
Cons
Key considerations
Before you make a decision for vacuum pump repair or replacement, there are five criteria to assess.
1) Costs
If your existing vacuum pump has only a minor issue, repair may be the more economical option. However, you should also consider longer-term maintenance and repair costs.
As a vacuum pump gets older, for example, it may require more frequent servicing. This could add up to more than the price of a replacement over time, even though this will require a much larger immediate outlay.
2) Process requirements
Evaluate whether your existing vacuum pump is still the best option for your process. If your vacuum pump is always running flat-out, or reserve pumps are regularly coming online to meet demand, the process may have outgrown the pump’s current capabilities. Replacement could therefore be a sensible option. This will help avoid production delays and ensure you maintain optimal quality and performance.
3) Service history
Has this same problem occurred before? Examine the service history to be sure. Regular maintenance actions like replacing spare parts such as seals, gaskets, or vanes is usually nothing to be concerned about, but if larger issues keep cropping up, repairs may no longer be an option.
4) Energy efficiency
Many new generations of vacuum pumps are more energy efficient than the one before. You should therefore consider the benefit of replacing your current vacuum pump with one that consumes less energy. Depending on the difference in consumption between your current vacuum pump and the newest technology, your energy bills could sink considerably. And your carbon footprint too.
5) Technical features
Consider how state-of-the-art your current vacuum pump is. Do more modern vacuum pumps come with new technical features that could benefit your process? This could be the right time to invest. You could also look into retrofitting. Some features can be added to an existing vacuum pump – such as a variable speed drive or intelligent monitoring of your vacuum pump. This allows you to upgrade without investing in a full new system.
However, if your pump is getting older, it may no longer be compatible with these newer features that have become available since its purchase. As a result, your process could miss out on some optimisation possibilities. You should therefore consider how important this option is to you and your process. This could sway your decision between repair or replacement.
Diagnosing and troubleshooting common issues
Vacuum pumps rarely fail with no warning. However, it can be hard to catch the early symptoms of a problem. Regular maintenance is the first step: A problem spotted early is generally easier to repair. It is also helpful to familiarise yourself with common issues and the telltale signs of a failing vacuum pump:
Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from professional vacuum pump service providers and specialist factory-trained technicians to diagnose and troubleshoot these issues. Fixing them promptly is crucial to ensuring cost-effective vacuum pump repairs and minimising the risk of downtime. It is also worth considering investing in an intelligent monitoring system. This will continuously monitor each vacuum pump’s performance data and flag any anomalies.
Conclusion
When your vacuum pump isn’t running as it should be, you should carefully weigh your options. Consult the experts from vacuum pump repair service providers and have them conduct a proper inspection and diagnosis. You should also assess efficiency, performance, and the cost of repairs – both now and in the future – versus the cost of a new vacuum pump. This will help you determine the best course of action. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what is most cost-effective and beneficial for your production process.
These criteria can be tricky to assess by yourself. Busch says it will be happy to assist. Its specialists will visit you onsite, evaluate your current equipment and give you a recommendation on how to move forward. Whatever you decide, Busch will be there to carry out any necessary repairs, or provide you with a suitable replacement. For even more peace of mind, the company can take care of your maintenance with service contracts, intelligent IoT solutions, and 24/7 remote condition monitoring.
