Busch launches new VacControl vacuum gauge for the measurement of vacuum directly within packaging

The new VacControl vacuum gauge from Busch is a completely new way of measuring the vacuum level directly within the vacuum packaging and of monitoring and documenting the measured data online.

VacControl constantly checks packaging integrity and records and archives the results.

The VacControl gauge is simply placed in the packaging alongside the product contents prior to processing. This is possible on all vacuum packing machines, without interrupting production. As the air within the packaging is evacuated, the VacControl automatically records the pressure profile with 1,500 individual values. During packaging, these values can be remotely transmitted to a computer via Bluetooth and presented as a graph on the computer. The times between the individual measurements can be varied and thus be optimally adapted to the packaging process. 1500 individual measurements can be spread out over a period of up to five hours, checked and documented. Thereby even the smallest leaks in the packaging will be detected.

VacConnect software allows the pressure profile to be simply displayed graphically on a PC. These graphs can be saved as Excel files and their presentation can be individually optimised using the extended graphics features on VacConnect. Up to ten VacControl gauges can be separately operated by one PC. The memory feature allows for the measured data of up to ten graphs to be stored in VacControl and later transmitted to a PC.

 

The VacControl gauge is robust and withstands temperature and humidity. It fits into every vacuum package thanks to its compact dimensions. With a measuring range of 1mbar(a) to atmospheric pressure, VacControl covers the entire pressure range of the evacuation process during packaging. Measurements can be made in millibar, Torr and PSI.

The units used can subsequently be changed on the PC using VacConnect.

VacControl's simple operation allows vacuum within packaging to be checked in short cycles and therefore packaging quality is constantly monitored and documented .

 

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems

Marketing/Marketing Services

Uli Merkle • July 9, 2009

 

New generation of vacuum pumps

Busch has launched a completely revamped new generation of rotary vane vacuum pumps in the R 5 series. Three pump sizes with a suction capacity of 10, 16 or 21 cubic metres per hour produce an ultimate pressure of 0.5, 1 or 20 hPa (mbar), depending on the version. All sizes and versions offer stable performance characteristics, i.e. a high suction capacity is guaranteed even in the working pressure range. Thanks to their extremely compact design, these vacuum pumps are suitable for an installation in very confined spaces. A standard non-return valve in the suction pipe prevents ventilation of the recipient if the vacuum pump is turned off. The new R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps are each driven by directly flanged standard motors. The main fields of application are vacuum packing machines, food processing machines, transportation and lifting devices and the plastics industry.

Busch R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps are available with a large range of volume flow rates from 6 to 1,600 cubic metres per hour. The proven vane principle has been standard in numerous industrial sectors for many years. R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps are very rugged, operationally reliable and have a high maximum tolerable water vapour inlet pressure thanks to the integrated oil circuit. All R 5 vacuum pumps are equipped with an oil separator as standard. This is fitted with air de-oiling elements that were especially developed for these vacuum pumps. This guarantees clean exhaust air.

 

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems

Marketing/Marketing Services

Uli Merkle • January 22, 2009

The wind blows on the coast, the vacuum comes from Maulburg

Maulburg. Last year, Busch supplied a large number of vacuum systems for production of wind turbines worldwide. The call for environmentally-friendly energy production is becoming louder, and this in turn means that there are more and more wind energy farms everywhere. Above all, so-called offshore wind farms, with increasingly large turbine installations, are currently being built off sea coasts.

Manufacture of rotor blades requires vacuum pumps produced by Busch, based in Maulburg, Germany.

The rotor blades for wind turbines are made of plastic. This plastic flows into the mould in liquid form under vacuum and then cures. The rotor blades, measuring up to 60 metres in length, require correspondingly dimensioned vacuum plants. Busch produces these plants individually and according to customer requirements. In recent years, a number of firms have been established on the German North Sea and Baltic coasts that specialise in production of such offshore wind turbines. They all trust in the reliability of vacuum technology from Maulburg. The failure of a vacuum plant during the curing process, which lasts several hours, can cause a loss of several hundred thousand euros. The reason why all these companies have been established directly on the coast is obvious: due to their size, the up to 60 m long rotor blades cannot be transported on roads. They must be loaded from the production hall directly onto ships that bring them to the offshore wind farms. The plants are assembled directly on-site. Once the plants are assembled in the water, they have a height of up to 180 metres above the water level. Busch mainly delivers vacuum plants for these applications to Northern Europe, India, the Far East and North America. Busch engineers in the respective countries consult customers on site and provide technical support for the plants, and at the same time stay in close contact with the specialists in Maulburg.

 

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems

Marketing/Marketing Services

Uli Merkle • January 22, 2009

Centralised vacuum provides BM Industri with optimal flexibility, considerable savings and as a bonus an improved working environment

BM Industri, founded in 1949, is one of Denmarks leading companies within the wood working industry as sub contractor to big Danish companies like Velux, Sapa, Piet Hein, Howe og B & O. Being a strategic sub contractor BM Industri has always focused upon maintaining its unique culture being "the big, small supplier". Its mission is to be out-going, unbureaucratic, flexible and effective. To incorporate state-of-the-art technology in order to provide customers with the latest know-how. 

Vacuum technology is absolutely capital within wood working for numerous purposes. All vacuum applications within wood working operate under rough vacuum. BM Industri employed decentralised vacuum until 2006. Three dry rotary vane vacuum pumps and one oil lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump from Becker og Busch were operating continously, all placed right next to their respective wood working machines. This type of solution is still widely employed within the wood working industry but does, however, present inconvenients. The absence of oil within dry rotary vane vacuum pumps generates permanent wear on vanes reducing the capacity of the pumps by up til 20% within a few months. At BM industri an annual replacement of all vanes was necessary. This was expensive and troublesome.

 

Centralised vacuum based upon the Mink claw vacuum principle

In 2006 management at BM Industri in cooperation with Busch Vakuumteknik made the decision to invest i centralised vacuum placed environmentally correctly in the machine room approximately 100 meters away from production. Moreover, a strategic decision was made to test the new and strong vacuum alternative from Busch - the contact free Mink claw vacuum pump. Totally contact and oil free. This means no or minimum maintenance so expenses for replacement parts totally dispear.

 

Vacuum when needed

BM Industri supervised the installation of the centralized vacuum plant itself in cooperation with Busch in order to be able to match all needs as far as environment safety, financial criteria, flexibility and minimum maintenance are concerned.  The new contact free Mink vacuum pump was placed at the center of the installation. Pressure valves placed at each wood working machine ensure that vacuum is only produced centrally when needed.

 

Considerable savings

The plant has now been operating for two years and Production Manager Mr Egon Pedersen sums up their experiences. ”We are extremely satisfied, that we reorganized our vacuum supply in 2006 following Busch' recommendation. We are generally very happy with the advice we received from Busch the whole way through the process. Our savings are considerable and at many levels. As vacuum is now only produced when required, two vacuum pumps have become superfluous. The Mink vacuum pump is equiped with a frequency regulated motor which ensures that it continously matches the exact need for vacuum in our processes. I estimate that our overall energy savings represent around 60%."

As a further bonus we have created an improved working environment for our employees as the noise and heat level within the workshop has decreased considerably, vacuum pumps having been placed in the machine room away from production.

 

Marketing department Busch Denmark

Mette Bjørnkjær Øllgaard • January, 2009