Vacuum Technology
A vacuum refers to a space that is largely free of air. In vacuum technology, this vacuum is created by removing gas from a closed volume – for example, a vacuum chamber – using a vacuum pump. As a result, both gas pressure and gas density continuously decrease. The remaining pressure is referred to as the ultimate vacuum and is given as absolute pressure in mbar. It is significantly below normal atmospheric pressure.
What types of vacuum are there?
Vacuum packaging machines typically operate in the rough vacuum range and achieve an ultimate vacuum of up to approx. 2 mbar.
Depending on the level of remaining pressure, vacuum technology distinguishes between various vacuum ranges:
Factors Influencing Evacuation Time
The evacuation time describes the period required to reduce the pressure in the vacuum chamber to the desired level. It is influenced by several technical and product-specific factors:
Target vacuum
The lower the desired final pressure, the longer the evacuation takes.
Volume
Larger chambers or packaging volumes require more time to reduce the pressure.
Vacuum pump
The performance of the pump is a decisive factor for the evacuation speed.
Line cross-sections
Narrow points in the system can limit the gas flow.
Tightness
Leaks in the system significantly extend the evacuation time.
Product properties
Moisture and trapped air in the product additionally influence the process.