In May, sophisticated vacuum products and exhaust management systems manufacturer Edwards unveiled its new vacuum pumps, which will strengthen the company’s capability to supply a totally customised vacuum package from atmospheric pumping through to an ultra-high vacuum.

Edwards business line manager Mike Shaw comments that the new products were unveiled at Analytica trade fair, in Munich, which ran from May 10 to 12. He adds that the vacuum pumps are aimed at the analytical instruments and research and development (R&D) markets.

“We are delighted that we are able to exclusively unveil these new products to our customers during Analytica this year. “With these new products including our Gamma ion pumps, we are able to offer a comprehensive range of vacuum solutions that enhance performance across a broad range of scientific applications,” asserts Shaw.

He explains that the new nEXT85 turbomolecular pump builds on the success of the highly popular EXT75DX by offering a pump with significantly improved performance in a smaller package, while maintaining the same high levels of reliability.

Further, Shaw notes that the nEXT85 will also deliver the operational and service benefits of the existing larger nEXT range, such as field serviceability and in-built intelligence.

“The nEXT85 should be a popular choice for a range of laboratory and R&D use, and ideal for analytical applications,” he highlights.

He comments that the new nEXT85 turbomolecular pump platform has therefore been designed with flexibility in mind.

Moreover, Edwards is also introducing the new air-cooled single-phase nXLi dry pump range based on the highly successful iXL product range currently used in semiconductor applications.

Shaw explains that the nXL110i and nXL200i ranges are optimised for a range of scientific applications, including liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry duties.

“It is capable of handling gas loads of up to 25 slm in a compact footprint. The new nXLi will be the ideal air-cooled backing pump for both Edwards’ nEXT hybrid bearing and STP maglev turbomolecular pump ranges,” he notes.

Additional Products

Edwards market sector manager V Rangarajan comments that the company has also seen an increase in orders for its GXS dry screw vacuum pumps from some manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, with several orders from customers based in Asia.

“A long pump service life and minimal maintenance costs, together with reduced gas and power consumption, make the GXS the most economical vacuum pump solution for industrial applications,” he points out.

He explains that the GXS dry screw pump technology is used in different processes in lithium-ion battery manufacturing, pointing out that, in the vacuum drying of electrodes and complete battery cells, effective removal of moisture and solvents is critical to the process.

Rangarajan asserts that, in electrolyte filling and degassing applications, the GXS is used to prevent the formation of micro air bubbles and for the removal of water vapour, ensuring efficient charging and discharging cycles, resulting in a reliable battery with high performance and a long life for use in electric vehicles.

“We are delighted that our customers have evaluated and qualified the company’s GXS dry pump technology in handling their lithium-ion battery production processes over several years. “The GXS has contributed towards maximising production efficiency and with minimal maintenance requirements, which has resulted in these significant orders from our customers,” he comments.

Rangarajan concludes that the GXS dry vacuum pump features cutting-edge screw technology, enabling users to optimise processes, with a low cost of ownership and a reduced footprint, featuring advanced control capability, offering better ultimate vacuum and robustness and reliability even in harsh applications.