Busch (UK) Ltd

Busch Vacuum Solutions Is World Market Leader 2023

Busch (UK) Ltd — 13/01/2023

Once again, Busch Vacuum Solutions was distinguished as world market leader by the German business news magazine “WirtschaftsWoche”.

Germany’s leading business magazine and the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, award the “World Market Leader” prize to companies that inspire their industry with trendsetting technologies as well as innovative products and services. Busch received the title of “World Market Leader” for its strong position as manufacturer of vacuum pumps and systems for the food industry.

The coveted places in the ranking of the top companies are awarded according to a strict procedure developed by the University of St. Gallen. The annual turnover of the listed companies must be at least 50 million Euro, and half of it must have been generated abroad on at least three continents.

The global Busch Vacuum Solutions group employs more than 3,800 people worldwide and is represented by 69 companies in 45 countries. The consolidated group turnover amounts to one billion Euro.

Busch Vacuum Solutions was founded by Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch in 1963 in the Black Forest. The international expansion of Busch began with the first sales company in Great Britain in 1971. In 1979, the first manufacturing plant outside Germany was established in the USA. There are now six production sites in Germany, the USA, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and South Korea.

The HUCKEPACK, the first vacuum pump from Busch, was specially developed by Dr Karl Busch for the packaging of foodstuffs. Its successor, the compact R5 rotary vane vacuum pump, revolutionized food packaging – the application in which Busch is world market leader.

Today, far beyond the application possibilities in the food industry, the extensive product portfolio from Busch offers solutions for vacuum and overpressure applications for all industries, such as chemical, semiconductor, medical technology, plastics and woodworking.

Efficiency Redefined

Busch (UK) Ltd — 05/10/2018

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems set itself the task of making the design of its vacuum pumps and systems even more efficient, and has therefore developed the new vacuum concept '5 Elements of Efficiency'. This concept presents completely new solutions for energy-saving vacuum generation.

Optimizing the efficiency of vacuum applications can yield considerable cost savings. It is therefore worth analyzing vacuum technology in its entirety. Selecting the right components for your vacuum technology is important. However, it is not the only factor which is crucial for determining the efficiency of a vacuum system. Even the best technology cannot reach its true potential when it is not optimally tailored to the process and process requirements. Vacuum components should therefore always be selected based on consideration of the individual process requirements and not only by simply comparing the performance data of the separate components.

The new 5E concept from Busch takes all these elements into account. 5E stands for the five key elements which determine the efficiency of vacuum processes: design, heat recovery, control, centralization and competence.

The design and quality of the vacuum pumps are crucial for performance, efficiency and life cycle costs. Furthermore, kinetic energy is converted into heat when the vacuum pumps are operated. A heat recovery system enables this thermal energy to be used. In order for vacuum systems to obtain optimal process stability and production performance, it is vital to adapt the control system to the production process. Additional savings can be made by centralizing the vacuum system. This kind of system offers the potential for energy efficiency to be increased and operating costs to be decreased. The optimized interaction of all these elements, along with expertise and years of experience, ensures the highest level of efficiency for the operation of vacuum systems.

Image: Busch central vacuum system for supplying several packaging machines at a food manufacturer. In this case, centralizing the vacuum supply resulted in an annual energy saving of 100,000 kW/h.

Find out more at https://www.buschvacuum.com/uk/en/solutions/5-elements-of-efficiency.

Case Study: Block House Increases Energy Savings and Reduces of CO2 Emissions with a Centralized Vacuum Supply

Busch (UK) Ltd — 03/11/2017

Block House Fleischerei GmbH has made increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions its declared objective. The producer of portioned fresh meat products and burgers has achieved considerable energy savings and reduced CO₂ emissions by 36.1 tonnes per year by reorganizing the vacuum supply for five vacuum lines. The core component of the new vacuum supply is a centralized vacuum system from the company Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH. Thanks to its design and intelligent control system, it consumes significantly less energy than the vacuum pumps previously installed directly in the packaging machines.

Block House Fleischerei GmbH is a Block Foods AG company. At the modern meat processing plant in Hamburg, Germany, steaks are sliced into portions, cattle is dissected, and burgers and carpaccio are produced. Nearly 100 employees work in the one-shift operation, although burger production is done in two shifts. Some of the products go to the companys own steak restaurant chain, Block House. Most of the 49 restaurants offer their steaks in German cities. But steaks that are aged, cut and packaged at the Block House butchery in Hamburg are also served at Block House Restaurants in Spain, Portugal, Austria and Switzerland. In total, over six million guests are served in these restaurants each year. The majority of the products are delivered to wholesalers, retailers or the gastronomy industry. Customers are mainly in Germany and neighbouring countries.

In 1973, the Block House butchery was founded by Eugen Block and the quality standards Block set back then still apply today; the IFS certification confirms the high quality of the fresh meat and burger products. The prime beef quality seal additionally guarantees that the meat used only comes from cows that were raised in a way that is appropriate to the species. The meat for the steaks mainly comes from Angus and Hereford cattle.

The Block House butchery feels the same responsibility for the environment and sustainability as it does for maintaining strict quality standards. The energy management system is certified according to ISO 50001 and is part of the Companies for Resource Conservation project in Hamburg.

As early as 2013, the vacuum supply of the packaging machines was analyzed with regard to energy and it was determined that there should be savings potential here. At that time five packaging lines, each with one thermoforming machine, were each equipped with a rotary vane vacuum pump as a backing pump and an additional vacuum booster. These vacuum pumps were installed close to the packaging machines and thus in close proximity to the workplaces. The result was that the vacuum pumps emitted their waste heat directly into the production areas. It was only possible to maintain the low room temperature required for hygienic reasons by increasing the output of the air conditioning system. The noise pollution in the workplace was a further disadvantage.

In addition to saving energy and reducing CO₂ emissions, the Block House butchery had an additional goal for the replacement of the vacuum supply: they also wanted to guarantee high availability of the vacuum supply and remove the vacuum pumps from the production areas to avoid waste heat and noise pollution in the workplace. Furthermore, maintenance personnel should not enter these areas if possible.

Together with the vacuum specialists from Busch, a concept was developed to find an energy-efficient solution that would also ideally eliminate all the other previous disadvantages. The team quickly agreed that central vacuum supply of the packaging machines would be the ideal solution. The basis for designing the centralized vacuum system was the five existing thermoforming packaging machines, which only require vacuum for the actual packaging process because the base foils are not sucked into the forms with a vacuum, but are rather blown into the forms with compressed air.

The new centralized vacuum system has been in operation since September 2015. Its main components are four R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps with four Panda vacuum boosters.

One vacuum module consisting of one rotary vane vacuum pump and one vacuum booster has a purely stand-by function and is only used if maintenance must be performed during operation. The centralized vacuum system is one floor down, located underneath the production areas in a separate room and is thus completely separated from production.

The packaging chamber is evacuated in two steps with two vacuum supply lines. There is a constant so-called rough vacuum of 30 millibars in the one line. This enables fast evacuation to this rough vacuum level. Once this has been achieved, the system switches to the second line with a vacuum level of 4 millibars. This two-stage pressure equalization method facilitates short cycle times. There are buffer tanks between the centralized vacuum system and the packaging machines to ensure that the required vacuum level is constantly available in the lines.

The system is operated according to demand. The individual vacuum modules are switched on or off depending on the pressure using pressure transmitters. Thanks to this control and 9.9 kilowatts less energy consumption than the previous decentralized supply, the Block House butchery has 4,356 euros in energy cost savings each year. The energy saved is equivalent to 22.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Frank Damast, technical director at Block House butchery, is convinced that he installed the most advanced vacuum technology with the new centralized vacuum system from Busch and that this is also far superior to the previous vacuum supply when it comes to the level of maintenance and susceptibility to failures. The modular design makes it virtually impossible for the vacuum supply to fail. The stand-by vacuum module also offers an additional element of security.

The installation of the vacuum system in a separate room on a lower level enables savings of 23.1 kilowatts of cooling output for the cooling unit in the production areas. This corresponds to annual cost savings of 2,541 euros or reduces the CO₂ emissions by 13.3 tonnes. If the energy cost savings of the centralized vacuum supply and the cooling output are added together, it comes to annual total savings of 6,897 euros. The total reduction of CO₂ emissions comes to 36.1 tonnes. The centralized vacuum system currently supplies five packaging machines but is designed in such a way that two further packaging machines can be connected. In addition, this has enabled shorter cycle times.

The use of an innovative and energy-efficient vacuum supply was subsidized by the city of Hamburg through the Companies for Resource Conservation programme, which confirmed to Block House butchery that it had found the best possible solution for vacuum supply with the centralized vacuum system from Busch.

Maintenance of the centralized vacuum system is performed once a year by a Busch service technician who coordinates his visit beforehand with production engineering. By linking the centralized vacuum system to the operational process control system, it can be constantly monitored and possible irregularities can be immediately recognized. The power consumption is also automatically displayed and documented as a result.

Avoiding Unscheduled Downtime in Semicon Fabs with Preventive Vacuum Service

Busch (UK) Ltd — 12/07/2022

The global demand of computer chips is so high now, that existing product capacities can’t keep up. Unscheduled production downtime in Semiconductor fabs must be avoided by any costs. Busch Vacuum Solutions developed a new service concept that ensures the availability of the vacuum supply, which plays an essential role in the semiconductor production process. This new service ensures to avoid unpredictable downtime and even makes it possible to reduce the overall operational costs by up to 35 percent.

Busch Vacuum Solutions developed the unique vacuum pump remanufacturing service ARPQP (Advanced Remanufacture Product Quality Planning). The new concept of service follows the four core principles of the automotive world class standards of APQP in remanufacturing vacuum pumps. Following these principles is considered as the highest standard for safe production leading to an efficient, reliable, and optimised manufacturing. ARPQP represents a new level of reliability for customers. The innovative service concept is focused on advanced thinking and preemptive action for prevention. Because the number one priority given to all suppliers in the semiconductor and flat panel market is the reduction of unscheduled downtime. Busch is the first company in the field of vacuum technology to have embraced this standard. Vacuum pumps are remanufactured to automotive quality standards.

ARPQP has already proven to be successful among many Busch customers. The reasons why customers decide to use ARPQP vary. Yet, they all have the same objectives: avoid unscheduled downtime and improve performance. Their experiences after a few months are convincing. In all fabs the failure rate for all types of vacuum pumps has decreased. One of the biggest Semiconductor manufacturers in the world experienced a 35 percent reduction in vacuum pump exchanges per year, after implementing ARPQP for the entire installed base of vacuum pumps. This improvement led to 7 percent increased production equipment availability, which is key when the loading of the Fab is already 100 percent.

Click here to visit the Busch Vacuum Solutions website and find out more.

The 2017 'Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award' goes to WAGNER Group GmbH

Busch (UK) Ltd — 13/02/2018

WAGNER Group GmbH was presented with the 'Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award' for its innovative fire prevention systems. The worldwide specialist for vacuum technology awards this prize annually to companies that use vacuum technology in particularly innovative ways and thus achieve benefits for the world at large.

This year's award was presented to WAGNER Group GmbH, a company that develops fire prevention systems that act before a fire can even occur and thus actively ensure a very high degree of safety. By supplying a protected area with controlled amounts of nitrogen, the oxygen level is continually held at a level beneath the flammability limit of a fire. The result is that materials become non-flammable due to insufficient oxygen in the atmosphere. These innovative fire prevention systems are always used if water damage caused by using conventional sprinkler systems is expected to occur. Generally speaking, rooms with electronic equipment like server rooms or production rooms, warehouses and logistics centres, museums, or archives are equipped with these fire prevention systems. Even the historic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow or the Elbe Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg use this technology.

Wagner's headquarters are in Langenhagen near Hanover, Germany, and with 520 employees, the company is among the global technology leaders in the areas of fire detection and prevention. Wagner and Busch are linked by a close partnership. From the very beginning, Busch supported WAGNER Group during development of the fire prevention systems with suitable VdS-approved vacuum and overpressure technology (VdS is an independent German inspection and certification institution for fire protection and security).

Today, in the combined systems, Mink claw vacuum pumps and compressors supply the necessary vacuum and overpressure and use a specific process to break down the ambient air into nitrogen and oxygen directly on site. Compared to conventional oxygen reduction systems, operating and energy costs can thus be reduced by up to 80 percent with the support of Mink technology.

At a ceremony in Maulburg, Germany, where Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems has its headquarters, Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch presented the award to the company's founder and Managing Director, Werner Wagner, and his son Torsten Wagner. In his speech, Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch highlighted the similarities between the two family-owned businesses and praised the recent years of cooperation so far.

Case Study: High Economic Efficiency Thanks to the Right Choice of Vacuum Technology

Busch (UK) Ltd — 01/03/2018

Choosing the right vacuum technology can lead to huge cost savings in many areas within plastics processing. Röchling Automotive Germany SE & Co. KG has undertaken a critical review of the existing vacuum supply used in its Wolfsburg plant to hold parts on laminating systems, and has collaborated with Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH to find a new solution that will achieve savings amounting to well over ten times the cost of the investment.

Vacuum is used in many ways in plastics processing and treatment. It is often worthwhile for a company to take a close look at its processes and the vacuum technology. In many cases, both can be optimized in terms of economic efficiency and reliability. Karsten Pavenstädt, maintenance and repairs manager at the Wolfsburg plant, wished to optimize the existing vacuum supply for two laminating systems and succeeded in achieving considerable cost reductions by implementing a simple solution.

This Röchling plant produces interior door panels for cars. Two laminating systems at the plant apply a decorative surface to supporting parts. To achieve this, the prefabricated supporting parts are placed from below in the holders of the laminating systems and secured in place using vacuum (Fig. 1). The covering, either fabric or imitation leather, is placed in the countermoulds. A layer of foam and adhesive has already been applied to the decorative moulds at this point. The parts are heated in the laminating systems and then pressed together for a few seconds so that the moulded part and the covering are bonded together using the adhesive. All parts that are covered in fabric or leather are produced in this manner on both laminating systems, before they are incorporated into the door panels.

In the past, ejectors were used to generate the needed vacuum. This method had two serious disadvantages:

1. In some cases, it was not possible to produce vacuum strong enough to hold the parts securely in place.

The moulded parts made from natural fibres are, to varying degrees, permeable to air and not dimensionally stable. This means that they could not be correctly sucked into the mould holder because of the insufficiently strong vacuum, and therefore they were not level. As a result, leakage air from the ejectors was also sucked in, which further overloaded the ejectors.

In practice, this means that slightly warped moulded parts could not be held in place and therefore could not be laminated. These parts had to be disposed of as waste.

2. The four ejectors respectively required an excessive amount of compressed air as an energy source, meaning that a reserve compressor had to be used, and the entire compressed air supply still broke down more than once. The compressed air consumption each day for two shifts was 1,280 cubic metres on average. Accounting for 230 production days per year and a cost of 16 euros per 1,000 cubic metres of compressed air, the compressed air costs associated with running the ejectors amounted to approximately 4,700 euros per year.

Before deciding to purchase an additional compressor, Karsten Pavenstädt contacted Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH and arranged for a consultation with one of the companys vacuum specialists. Together, they examined all the existing parameters and worked on a suitable solution. Busch recommended the use of a frequency-controlled Mink MV claw vacuum pump to supply both laminating systems with the required vacuum. Initially, Pavenstädt was sceptical as to whether this type of vacuum pump, running on a 2.1 kilowatt motor, would be capable of replacing a total of eight ejectors on each laminating system.

Ultimately, a Simplex VO vacuum system (Fig. 2) was installed in early 2017. This system consists mainly of a Mink MV claw vacuum pump, which is mounted on a vacuum vessel. Thanks to the variable speed drive on this vacuum pump and a pressure switch on the vacuum vessel, the Mink MV is completely self-sufficient and keeps the vacuum level inside the vacuum vessel constant. The vacuum pump is positioned directly between both laminating systems and is connected with hoses to the four mould holders on each machine. Directly in front of the mould holders are valves in the hose connections, which open as soon as a moulded part is placed on the holder. The pumping speed of the Mink MV claw vacuum pump is so high that the moulded part is firmly sucked onto the holder and held securely in place. The intermediate vacuum vessel ensures that the required vacuum level is produced immediately, which accelerates the process to a considerable extent. Once the parts have been pressed together and bonded, the valves close once again and the laminated parts can be removed manually.

The calculated energy savings between the ejectors that ran on compressed air and the Mink claw vacuum pump are even higher in practice. This is because less pumping speed is required thanks to the quick securing of the parts and their perfect positioning in the mould holder. The systems integrated, demand-driven control reduces the power immediately so that it uses just 20 percent of the full power on average. This results in annual energy costs of 200 euros, which equates to energy savings of 4,500 euros per year compared with the ejectors previously in use.

Waste has been reduced to virtually zero because all parts can be fixed securely in place, and the vacuum performance on both laminating machines is always at the precise vacuum level required, even when the parts to be secured are warped or very permeable to air.

The constant vacuum, which is always present, also allows for maximum savings. Employees can now place the parts to be laminated in the machine two at a time, and the parts are secured immediately. This increases the quantities produced.

Maintenance and repairs manager Karsten Pavenstädt is very happy with this solution, which he has implemented through collaboration with Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH. In addition to the cost savings, he now has a modern, safe vacuum supply, which is nearly maintenance-free and runs without operating fluids. The noise emissions caused by the ejectors directly at the laminating systems have also been eliminated. Since the Mink claw vacuum technology is considerably quieter than ejectors, the undesirable noise produced at the workstations has been reduced substantially. Furthermore, he does not need to invest in an additional compressor, since the plants compressed air supply is now sufficient again.

Case Study: Energy-efficient and reliable vacuum supply

Busch (UK) Ltd — 31/05/2018

Suttero Bazenheid is one of the most advanced meat processing companies in Switzerland. The business premises belong to Ernst Stutter AG, and meat from cows, calves and pigs is jointed here for further processing in other processing companies, or processed to form fresh meat products for wholesale and retail. The meat processing facility, which commenced operations in 2012, was built following the Minergie standard, meaning that it complies with strict regulations for sustainable construction. A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof to enable environmentally friendly energy generation, with the solar power being fed into the local public network. Energy for the entire Ernst Sutter AG company and consequently the Suttero Bazenheid premises as well is generated via hydropower. In addition, around 75% of the energy from refrigeration is also used to generate hot water. When creating vacuum for packaging, Suttero Bazenheid relies on a centralized vacuum system from Busch which is significantly more energy-efficient in operation than decentralized vacuum supplies on individual packaging machines. As a result, Ernst Sutter AG has created a production plant that corresponds to the latest standards, both from a technical and ecological perspective.

Ernst Sutter AG, with six production plants and two regional logistics platforms, is one of the most important Swiss companies in the meat processing and meat product production sector. It delivers to specialized butcher shops as well as retail and wholesale companies throughout Switzerland. In addition, various specialities such as Bündnerfleisch (an air-dried meat produced in the Grisons canton of Switzerland), Bündner Rohschinken (a raw ham product from the same area), and Appenzeller Mostbröckli (a cured, smoked and dried meat product from Appenzell), are exported to the EU and Far East.

It has a long tradition in this respect, dating back to the year 1909. Today, more than 1,000 employees work for Ernst Sutter AG. In setting up the Suttero Bazenheid meat processing facility, the majority of fresh meat processing performed within the Ernst Sutter AG group of companies was concentrated at this location. The raw ingredients, mostly comprising sides of pork and beef, are predominantly procured from the nearby Bazenheid abattoir or Gossau. The pork and beef sides that are delivered are placed into cold rooms, separated by animal type. Using fully automatic process control, the individual sides in the cold rooms are collected, and automatically supplied to the respective jointing lines. Each workplace on the jointing lines is equipped with an advanced computer which shows the responsible employee which work steps need to be performed. These work steps are recorded electronically and allocated to the individual parts. This enables each portioned piece of meat to be allocated to a side of pork or beef, therefore ensuring the origin of the slaughtered animal and other information is traceable and/or accessible. Fresh meat products are packaged on a total of eight packaging lines, which are equipped with thermoforming or tray sealer packaging machines. Approximately two thirds of products are skin packaged while others, such as mincemeat, are packaged under a controlled atmosphere. The products are distributed under different names, some of which belong to the company itself, and some of which are external brands. Of the 300 employees at Bazenheid, around 180 work in the production department, in single-shift operation. Special shifts are only performed when necessary, during the summer fresh meat season.

Right from the planning phase, it was clear to Stefano Martinetti, Head of Area and Technology, that the vacuum required for packaging should be generated by a centralized vacuum system, as this represents the most energy-efficient type of vacuum generation. Fewer vacuum pumps are needed for a centralized vacuum supply than would be necessary for decentralized vacuum generation. In addition, two-stage evacuation made it possible to install rotary vane vacuum pumps with smaller pumping speeds, and therefore a smaller motor rating. The Busch centralized vacuum system supplies the tray sealer packaging machines with three independent ring lines. A rough vacuum of 50 millibar is constantly kept available in one of these. A vacuum accumulator guarantees that the required vacuum level is permanently and quickly available. In a second ring line, there is a medium vacuum of four millibar. If packages are evacuated, this initially only takes place up to the rough vacuum level. Once this is complete, a valve switches to medium vacuum, and final evacuation to four millibar of ultimate pressure is performed. This control means that the packaging chamber, and therefore the packages, can be evacuated quickly and reliably before being closed, enabling very short cycles.

A third independent ring line goes to the packaging lines with thermoforming packaging machines. It provides the forming stations in the packaging lines with what is referred to as a forming vacuum of 100 millibar, and that is used to pull the heated plastic film into shape.

The centralized vacuum system is controlled on a demand-driven basis in such a way that the required pressures are automatically kept available in all three ring lines. The only vacuum pumps in operation are the ones that are actually needed. As the maximum cycle time and greatest possible packaging volumes are not always used on all packaging machines, generally only some of the vacuum pumps will be in operation at any given time.

The centralized vacuum system achieves further energy savings through the omission of vacuum pumps in the packaging groups: the heat dissipation caused by the operation of the vacuum pumps, and the heated exhaust air, are not emitted directly into the packaging rooms. As a result, less power is needed for air-conditioning in these rooms which also has a positive effect on energy consumption. As the centralized vacuum system is installed on an intermediate floor directly above the production and packaging rooms, its exhaust air is used to heat the intermediate floor during the winter months.

In addition to energy efficiency, the reliability of the vacuum supply is of course also a top priority. As Stefano Martinetti puts it: Only a centralized vacuum system can guarantee a redundantly arranged and reliable vacuum supply for all eight packaging lines. Busch AG is a partner and vacuum specialist, which planned and implemented the centralized vacuum system in such a way that it was custom-tailored to the technical conditions at Suttero Bazenheid. The system fundamentally consists of several vacuum modules for rough, medium and forming vacuums, and there is also a reserve unit. The reserve unit enables maintenance work to be performed during ongoing operation. Individual vacuum modules are released for maintenance in this process. To enable this to happen, the reserve module is automatically switched on.

This also has the advantage that no service personnel need to enter the hygiene-sensitive packaging and processing area for maintenance work.

The key components of this centralized vacuum system are the R 5 rotary vane vacuum pumps and Panda vacuum boosters. This combination means that the pumping speed and ultimate pressure of the system are significantly increased, meaning that lower energy consumption is required than when using larger vacuum pumps with comparable performance.

The demand-driven control is programmed in such a way that all vacuum pumps reach the same number of operating hours, despite the fact that generally not all vacuum pumps are operated at the same time. In contrast to the decentralized installation of vacuum pumps directly in the packaging machines, where they usually run through, this has the advantage that fewer operating hours are incurred overall for each vacuum pump. The result of this is that service intervals can be extended. Service intervals are organized in such a way that a visual check of oil levels is performed once a month, while an oil change and filter replacement are performed during an annual maintenance process.

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems acquires NSB Gas Processing

Busch (UK) Ltd — 15/06/2018

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems is pleased to announce that the swiss-based engineering company NSB Gas Processing is now part of the global Busch group. The NSB Gas Processing business has been renamed Busch NSB AG and brings a highly regarded team of engineers and a portfolio of liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and systems to the Busch group.

NSB has a heritage dating back to 1844 and will continue to provide the same very high standard of liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors, and vacuum and compressor systems for industry. With the acquisition of NSB, the Busch group can now offer reliable vacuum and overpressure solutions for heavy-duty conditions in the oil and gas industries and chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. One of the strengths of the Busch NSB product portfolio is in flare gas recovery, a sub-sector of the oil and gas industry. Flare gas recovery offers the advantages of more-efficient use of scarce resources and a reduced environmental footprint.

NSB products customers have relied on over the years are now offered under the new brand Busch NSB and will continue to meet the industry requirements for quality based on state-of-the-art technology. Furthermore, NSB customers are now set to enjoy the advantages of the worldwide presence of Busch with the largest and most extensive global service network in more than 40 countries worldwide.

NSB customers will now also profit from the experience and expertise of Busch in liquid ring technology. The world-class Dolphin series of liquid ring vacuum pumps and compressors are used in a variety of industries worldwide. This series is now complemented by liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and systems available under the new brand Busch NSB. This means a greater choice from a wide range of liquid ring technology to meet customers requirements.

With NSB, Busch is able to offer more solutions and a more rounded portfolio, while integrating their expert knowledge for our customers, explains Sami Busch. Flare gas recovery is a technology with a significant environmental impact. Customers of NSB are now set to profit from our service expertise and ability to provide spare parts and service 24/7 wherever they are. And NSB as part of the Busch Group can look forward to a new impetus for future growth.

www.busch.co.uk

Busch Vacuum Solutions Acquires Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE)

Busch (UK) Ltd — 10/08/2021

Busch (UK) Ltd, part of the global Busch Vacuum Solutions group, has acquired Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE). Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Busch (UK), the move enables both VFE and Busch (UK) to strengthen their leading vacuum solutions and services for UK metallurgy and composites manufacturers.

Since 1985, VFE has provided vacuum services, specialist equipment, control and calibration solutions to heat treatment and advanced material manufacturers in the UK. Their long-term commitment to these market segments, their applications knowledge and service mindset has enabled VFE to become the market-leaders in their field.

Busch (UK) has 50 years of experience in providing individual and tailor-made vacuum solutions and services to Customers in a wide range of market segments, including food, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, semicon, medical and metallurgy. The full portfolio of vacuum technology is continuously developed by the Busch group to ensure that customers are provided with the lowest total cost of ownership.

Operationally, the VFE subsidiary will remain focused on the markets and customers that benefit from the team’s expertise in vacuum metallurgy and composites. The existing Busch UK business will continue to serve customers under the Busch brand. Together, Busch and VFE will share their vacuum expertise, solutions, and service capabilities, to enable an even more comprehensive range of vacuum solutions to the benefit of all their customers.

“The advanced manufacturing industry needs to ensure quality in every process” David Byrne, CEO of VFE, explains. “For much of the industry, that’s synonymous with the product. But our commitment to helping our customers achieve perfect production and keep their businesses running hinges on more than the quality of parts produced. In order for us to deliver these promises, the integrity of our services is paramount. Under Busch’s ownership, we look forward to serving our customers with extended product offerings, best practices and Busch’s global service network. This will maximise the value that we offer and will help more Customers improve their operations.”

Tim Hulbert, Managing Director of Busch (UK), concluded, “This is an exciting time for the new Busch UK team. 2021 is our 50th anniversary in the UK and the acquisition of VFE marks a significant commitment by the Busch group to the UK market, ensuring we are well positioned for further long-term service and growth. I’m delighted to welcome our new VFE colleagues and look forward to delivering the combined benefits of our vacuum solutions for metallurgy and advanced materials to the UK market and further afield. VFE’s portfolio of services, including calibration and control expertise, will also benefit our customers in other critical market sectors. We are stronger together and uniquely positioned to help UK manufacturers become more productive and sustainable through the application of our Busch vacuum solutions.”

Click here to visit the Busch Vacuum Solutions website

Busch presents new series of Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps

Busch (UK) Ltd — 13/03/2018

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems has now launched an entirely new series of liquid ring vacuum pumps. The new Dolphin LM/LT vacuum pumps have been completely redesigned but are based on proven liquid ring vacuum technology. With these new vacuum pumps, Busch has been able to optimize an existing product that has become an established part of many industrial processes, resulting in the development of extremely powerful, yet energy-efficient vacuum generators.

Dolphin LM models are single-stage vacuum pumps for the rough vacuum range from atmospheric pressure to 130 hPa (mbar) ultimate pressure. Dolphin LT models are available in two-stage versions and cover the vacuum range from atmospheric pressure to 33 hPa (mbar). A total of 13 sizes are available so that a precisely coordinated solution can be found for any process. Dolphin LM/LT vacuum pumps have a modular design and integrated flow channels. This makes them extremely compact and eliminates the need for base frames. The IE3 energy-saving motor is directly flange-mounted. The new seal concept with mechanical shaft seals, made of Viton or PFC rubber depending on the pumping medium, ensures a long life cycle. The standard material for the impeller is stainless steel. A stainless steel version of the housing is available as an option.

Water or a fluid suitable for the process medium is normally used as the operating fluid. Ethylene glycol, mineral oils or organic solutions can also be used, as well as the fluids already used in the process. Dolphin LM/LT liquid ring vacuum pumps can be operated in simple circulatory systems, in open or closed liquid cycles. Their high vapour and particle tolerance makes the extremely robust vacuum generators exceptionally well-suited for removal/extraction of wet gases or vapours. They are thus predestined for use in processing technology, chemical and pharmaceutical processes, food technology applications, oil production and processing, plastic processing, wood impregnation and drying processes, and many other industrial applications. Dolphin LM/LT vacuum pumps are available in sizes with pumping speeds of 80 to 900 cubic metres per hour. Versions for operation in potentially explosive environments are available in different ATEX-compliant versions and temperature classes.

Busch will present the new Dolphin LM/LT liquid ring vacuum pumps at ACHEMA in hall 8.0, stand no. B27.

Busch UK Opens Its Doors to Students from Thomas Telford School

Busch (UK) Ltd — 19/05/2023

Busch Vacuum Solutions welcomed students from Thomas Telford School to its Telford site in April to provide them with an insight into how a local business operates.

Busch has been working with the twenty-five Sixth Form Business studies students to support them with an ‘employability passport’, a personal skills certificate from the Thomas Telford School Business Academy, for when they enter the field of work.

All areas were open for the students to experience the world of business so that the students could learn how the business operates, the different careers that make up the business, and how to progress into the roles. Busch UK provides tailor-made vacuum solutions and services to customers in a comprehensive range of market segments, including food, chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics and metallurgy. Part of the global Busch Vacuum Solutions group, one of the world’s largest producers of vacuum pumps, systems, blowers and compressors, the Telford site comprises the UK head office, service workshop, and vacuum systems engineering centre.

Starting with a business introduction with the General Manager Tim Hulbert, the students embarked on a tour around the site to meet Busch colleagues from a wide range of business areas, such as finance, purchasing, customer service, service planning, product management, service workshop and systems engineering. The final stop at the tour was a vacuum experiment with a Busch vacuum application specialist to provide an insight into the world of vacuum technology.

The students were fully engaged and asked many questions throughout the visit, which concluded with a Q&A session with all the Busch hosts and presenters to answer any additional questions.

“The staff at Busch Vacuum Solutions were extremely welcoming, working with the students and showing them, in detail, the various aspects of the business”, commented Mrs Amy Jones, Assistant Head - Director of Business at Thomas Telford School.

“Students got a lot out of the day and were lucky enough to be able to gain some 1:1 career advice and guidance about their next steps. We would like to thank all of the staff that supported the visit, but also to those that support the Thomas Telford School Business Academy on a regular basis, in our drive to provide students with a well-rounded experience offering wide ranging opportunities to enhance their employability skills.”

Reducing production downtime with OTTO digital services by Busch

Busch (UK) Ltd — 17/03/2022

Production downtime is a big and expensive problem for factories and needs to be prevented. Intelligent IoT solutions can help to reduce production downtime and save money. OTTO is the digital service innovation by Busch Vacuum Solutions. It combines condition monitoring of vacuum pumps with attractive service packages. For high process reliability and lower cost of ownership in factories.

The Busch IoT Dashboard and the Busch Vacuum App track vacuum pump data. With the information at hand, the performance can be analyzed, and processes optimized. Busch installs a proprietary sensor package at the vacuum pumps, which collects and processes data. The data is stored in the Busch cloud via a mobile connection. The IoT box constantly monitors process state and vacuum pump conditions. For example, the ambient temperature, oil temperature and the remaining time until the next maintenance of the vacuum pump. The IoT dashboard provides all collected performance data 24/7. The data is interpreted, and performance trends are shown. To optimize the production, Busch provides a summarizing report as well as recommendations for more efficient operation. Based on data analysis, Busch takes care of preventive maintenance and will send a service technician if needed.

OTTO digital services by Busch come in two different packages tailored to the needs of the customer. The OTTO system detects developing issues before they become a problem. Risks and costs associated with unplanned downtime are avoided and lead to optimum process reliability and higher productivity in factories. Even already installed Busch vacuum pumps can be retrofitted with the Busch IoT kit as part of an OTTO package.

Click here to find out more about OTTO digital services from Busch.

Busch Donates 200,000 Euro for Education Projects

Busch (UK) Ltd — 21/02/2024

On the anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the ceremonial opening of two container schools took place in the Turkish province of Hatay. The Busch family, owners of Busch Vacuum Solutions, supported the project with a donation of 100,000 Euro.

The two schools were built in the municipalities of Serinyol and Maşuklu in the district of Antakya in the Hatay province and can accommodate a total of 670 pupils. In addition to pupils, teachers, parents, residents and representatives of the AKUT Foundation, which realized the project, the governor of Hatay province, the Director of the Provincial Department of Education and his deputy as well as the Director of the District Department of Education also took part in the celebrations.

The Chairman of the AKUT Foundation, Ali Nasuh Mahruki, emphasized in his speech at the opening ceremony: “Even though we are going through difficult times, we have set ourselves the goal of providing our students and teachers with the most efficient educational environment possible. We wish all students, teachers and parents a successful and enjoyable educational experience.”

Each of the new, soundproofed school buildings consists of eight classrooms, a staff room, a principal’s room and toilets, and are equipped with air conditioning, security systems, technical equipment, emergency exits, generators and water tanks. The classrooms have been furnished with desks, blackboards, computers and projectors.

“We were deeply moved by the devastating tragedy that occurred in my home country,” Ayhan Busch, co-founder and co-owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions, explained. “For my family, it was therefore a matter of course and a matter close to our hearts to help.”

In addition, Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch also donated 100,000 Euro to an emergency aid fund for students at the Technical University of Munich whose families were affected by the earthquake. 23 students were supported, 22 from Turkey and one from Syria. The amount of financial support was 300, 650 or 800 Euro per month over a period of six months, depending on whether the students had additional income and how much this amounted to. The TUM was able to finance all the scholarships with this one donation, with the majority of scholarship holders receiving the maximum amount.

One of the scholarship holders reports gratefully: “Receiving the scholarship in the aftermath of the earthquake was a miraculous experience for me, both academically and personally. This support provided me with not only financial support but also a profound sense of encouragement and stability during one of the most challenging periods of my life.”

Professor Hofmann, President of the Technical University of Munich, thanks Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch for the generous donation: “In personal conversations with the young people, I sensed more than a great deal of gratitude for the financial support. Of course, we could not relieve them of their worries. But thanks to the donation from Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch, we were at least able to alleviate their financial hardship and enable them to continue their studies at the TUM.”

The Busch family has a close relationship with the Technical University of Munich, where Dr Karl Busch studied in the 1950s and received his doctorate in 1960. The co-founder and co-owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions is a great supporter of the university and was made an honorary senator in 2019.

The AKUT Foundation is a Turkish non-governmental organization that sent humanitarian aid supplies, technical equipment and protective gear for search and rescue teams to the disaster region after the earthquake.

On February 6, 2023, at 4:17 a.m., a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. A short time later, the earth shook again with a magnitude of 7.5. During that night, one of the worst natural disasters in the region in recent decades claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused severe devastation over a radius of hundreds of kilometers.

Winterizing Your Vacuum Pumps: 6 Essential Maintenance Tips

Busch (UK) Ltd — 18/01/2024

As the winter season approaches, safeguarding the performance and longevity of your vacuum pumps becomes a top priority. Cold weather poses unique challenges that can affect the reliability and efficiency of these crucial industrial components. At Busch Vacuum Solutions, we understand the importance of winterization in preventing corrosion, freezing, and other potential damage. In this guide, we’ll share invaluable tips to ensure your vacuum pumps continue to operate optimally during the colder months.

Periodic start-ups

Much like a car engine, vacuum pumps left idle, especially in cold weather, benefit from occasional start-ups. This practice ensures the distribution of oil on lubricated components, preventing corrosion. Additionally, periodic warming of the pump helps clear any condensation, further mitigating the risk of corrosion.

Oil changes

Lubricating oil can thicken over time, exacerbated by the presence of contaminants. Cold weather can further increase the viscosity of the oil, leading to a higher starting current being required, potentially causing inconvenient power trips. Consider servicing your vacuum pump, including an oil change, before anticipated cold weather or a shutdown. Changing to fresh oil at the end of a season removes contaminants, providing superior protection to lubricated components. Certain special vacuum pump oils are also available with improved corrosion resistance and can help you to protect your vacuum pump during wintertime.

Coolant

For pumps with coolants, such as our COBRA dry screw vacuum pumps, annual coolant changes are recommended to prevent degradation that may impact the fluid’s ability to prevent freezing. Opt for certified premixed coolant with known performance properties, concentration and corrosion protection.

Water-cooled pumps

In pumps directly cooled with water, ensure continuous water flow during cold weather to prevent freezing. Draining the water from the pump during extended periods of inactivity, especially in sub-zero temperatures, is good practice to avoid potential freezing and subsequent damage.

Insulation and heat tracing

It's important to regularly inspect the condition of lagging materials that provide heat insulation to vacuum pumps and associated pipework. Look for signs of damage, wear, or moisture ingress, and confirm secure installation. Pay special attention to areas where lagging may have been removed for maintenance or where accidental damage could occur. For systems with heat tracing, ensure it functions correctly. Consider using a thermal imaging camera to identify hot spots, especially if heat tracing is absent. Note that meaningful thermal imaging results without heat tracing require the contents to be hotter than the ambient temperature.

Filtration maintenance

Regularly check and empty filtration systems that collect water to prevent freezing-induced cracking. Those with polycarbonate bowls can be especially brittle and prone to cracking. Ensure water-separating filters are emptied before any shutdown to avoid complications during inactive periods.

Proactive winterization measures are crucial for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of your vacuum pumps, ensuring your equipment is well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the winter season. Don’t let the cold compromise your operations – safeguard your investment with our expert maintenance tips.

Energy-efficient vacuum supply enables more economical production processes.

Busch (UK) Ltd — 28/03/2017

Energy efficiency will be Busch's main topic at ComVac 2017, taking place in Hanover during 24-28 April, 2017. Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems has taken on the challenge of developing and implementing highly energy-efficient vacuum solutions. These enable customers in all industrial sectors to save energy and operating costs, and therefore to operate more economically.

At the compressed air and vacuum industry exhibition, Busch will not just be providing an insight into its comprehensive product portfolio for all industries, but will also be announcing its latest vacuum solutions. Economical and safe vacuum supply is an issue that is becoming increasingly important for all areas of industry when considering ways to make production processes more economical, while taking energy savings and cost reductions into consideration. It is important to look at the complete production process in order to reduce the energy requirement and operating costs. Focussing exclusively on a vacuum pump's energy requirement is not sufficient. The vacuum pump's heat emissions or cooling method and its installation location or control make a significant difference to the overall energy balance. Busch therefore offers various options for heat recovery or improving the demand-based control of vacuum pumps.

As well as manufacturing energy-efficient vacuum pumps for various technologies, Busch also designs central vacuum systems that are tailor-made to suit the particular requirements of individual customers. This sort of centralization of vacuum supply offers several advantages. Firstly, it means that fewer vacuum pumps are required than in a decentralized vacuum supply. In combination with demand-based control, this makes significant energy savings possible. Secondly, this kind of centralized vacuum system can be housed in a separate room, so that vacuum pumps no longer need to be installed in production areas; this means that noise and heat emissions are eliminated from workplaces. Tailor-made heat recovery concepts help operators use the waste heat produced and thereby achieve further energy savings. In cooled production areas, such as in the food industry, further savings are created by the centralization of vacuum supply, as air conditioning units can be designed to be smaller. Centralised vacuum supplies also offer high levels of reliability, since all system-relevant components are designed to be redundant. Maintenance work can even be undertaken during ongoing operation without incurring any performance loss.

Busch offers vacuum pumps or vacuum modules in centralized vacuum systems paired with various technologies, so that the best technical and economical option can be selected for each application. Busch offers all companies who require vacuums a special service: the Busch VacuumAudit. A Busch vacuum expert will analyse the current state of a whole company's vacuum supply. He will calculate the savings potential for energy and operating costs, and develop personalised solutions for customers, ensuring the most economical and reliable vacuum supply possible.

Busch is exhibiting in hall 26, booth B 05 at ComVac.

www.busch.co.uk

Busch Presents its Energy-Efficient Vacuum Solutions at Foodex

Busch (UK) Ltd — 28/03/2023

24 - 26 April 2023 | Hall 6 | Booth H161 | NEC Birmingham

The UK’s leading trade event for the food and drink processing, packaging and logistics industries will provide the opportunity for buyers to discover the latest technological solutions and services to improve operational efficiency. The vacuum specialists from Busch Vacuum Solutions will be showcasing their latest energy saving solutions for food processing and packaging applications.

Visitors can find out how centralised vacuum systems from Busch are providing the food packaging industry with energy savings of up to 70%, improving performance, reducing cooling demand in the production hall, and enabling a better working environment.

With the award-winning OTTO digital service innovation from Busch, customers can optimise processes with 24/7 remote condition monitoring of vacuum pumps and systems, leading to reduced production costs, higher energy efficiency and less downtime. OTTO’s dashboard provides a full overview of vacuum pump health using measurements from up to 13 different parameters depending on the vacuum pump.

The R5 RD is the latest generation within the proven Busch R5 series of oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps. In addition to reliability, high efficiency is an outstanding quality of this series, with up to 30% lower energy consumption compared to conventional rotary vane vacuum pumps.

For vacuum pumps like the R5 from Busch, the integration of a variable speed drive (VSD) makes energy savings of up to 50% possible, alongside lower CO₂ emissions, and reduced maintenance costs.

Meet Busch’s specialists at Foodex in Hall 6 booth H161, to discuss how they can help you to achieve your energy saving and production goals.

KIEFEL Receives the Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award

Busch (UK) Ltd — 23/10/2023

The Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award 2022 goes to the German enterprise KIEFEL GmbH. The company manufactures thermoforming machines for the production of polymer and natural-fibre packaging. KIEFEL’s fibre thermoforming machines use DOLPHIN liquid ring vacuum pumps from Busch to pull the packaging into shape.

KIEFEL GmbH develops technologies that are improving sustainability of packaging products. The company has developed a machine, the NATUREFORMER KFT 90, with which recyclable and even compostable packaging can be produced from natural fibres, such as cellulose or straw. Busch Vacuum Solutions supplies the vacuum technology needed to draw the material into the mould. The two companies have been working closely together for more than twenty years.

Busch presents the Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award once a year. This award honours individuals or companies with particularly innovative applications for vacuum technology that benefit people and the environment. The Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award was first presented in 2013 to mark the 50th anniversary of Busch Vacuum Solutions.

KIEFEL has been awarded with the Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award for its important contribution to the production of thermoforming packaging with alternative materials, such as natural fibres. Its machines offer customers the opportunity to manufacture sustainable packaging products such as bowls, cups, lids, coffee capsules, packaging for frozen food, secondary packaging for electronics and luxury goods, and flowerpots, according to customers’ needs, whichever material they choose.

Increased demand for more sustainable products and designs for a circular economy are being driven by legislation and customers alike. In addition to promoting recycling, this also includes the need to develop environmentally friendly packaging alternatives that are not made of plastics.

With its innovative technology, KIEFEL is helping drive this change and lower the environmental impact of its customers’ packaging.

(From left to right): Ayla Busch, Co-CEO and Co-Owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions; Sami Busch, Co-CEO and Co-Owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions; Martin Plößl, Head of Procurement Components at KIEFEL GmbH; Anne Dierkopf, CFO at KIEFEL GmbH and Kaya Busch, Co-CEO and Co-Owner of Busch Vacuum Solutions. Source: Busch Vacuum Solutions.

Busch Is Once Again World Market Leader in 2024

Busch (UK) Ltd — 29/11/2023

The famous German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche recognized Busch Vacuum Solutions as World Market Leader 2024.

In cooperation with the University of St. Gallen, WirtschaftsWoche awards the World Market Leader Prize every year to companies that inspire in their industry with pioneering technologies and innovative products and services. Busch Vacuum Solutions was once again honoured with the title of World Market Leader for its strong position as a manufacturer of vacuum pumps and systems for the food industry.

A strict selection process developed by the University of St. Gallen forms the basis for awarding the coveted places in the ranking of top companies. The annual turnover of the listed firms must be at least 50 million Euro and half of it must be generated abroad and on at least three continents.

The international Busch Group, to which Pfeiffer Vacuum AG also belongs, employs around 8,000 employees in 110 subsidiaries located in 45 countries around the world, and thus fulfills the strict selection criteria for World Market Leader.

The vacuum pump company was founded 60 years ago by Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch. Global expansion began in 1971 with the establishment of the first sales company in Great Britain. In 1979, the first production plant outside Germany was built in the USA. There are now production sites in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Romania, South Korea, Switzerland, the USA, and Vietnam. To this day, Dr Karl Busch and his wife Ayhan manage the company together with their three children Ayla, Sami and Kaya Busch.

The HUCKEPACK, the first vacuum pump developed by Dr Karl Busch, was designed for packaging foodstuffs. Its successor, the R5 – a compact rotary vane vacuum pump – revolutionized the food packaging industry. Busch has been the world market leader in this application for decades.

Today, the company’s extensive product portfolio offers solutions for vacuum and overpressure applications for all industrial sectors, such as the chemical industry, the semiconductor industry, medical technology, the plastics industry and woodworking.

Busch Vacuum Solutions Exhibiting at the Largest Battery Exhibition and Conference in the UK

Busch (UK) Ltd — 10/06/2022

Busch Vacuum Solutions will be exhibiting on booth 17-311 at the Battery Cells & Systems Expo, which will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on the 29th and 30th June 2022.

The Battery Cells & Systems Expo will be co-located with the Vehicle Electrification Expo, The Advanced Materials Show and Ceramics UK. Spread over two action-packed days, the show benefits from the rapid growth in the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles in the UK, along with the significant investments being made in domestic battery manufacture and research.

Vacuum solutions by Busch are operated at major lithium-ion battery production sites the world over and are renowned for their reliability in all stages of the lithium-ion battery production, such as slurry mixing, slurry drying, electrolyte filling, impregnating, and degassing.

Busch continues to develop efficient vacuum solutions to reduce production energy costs, which directly impacts the cost of manufactured goods. This includes tailor-made solutions for Li-Ion battery manufacturing, which have the potential to save over 30% of the energy consumption associated with the traditional application of vacuum to the various manufacturing steps.

In order to enable long term productivity, efficiency and reliability of your production process Busch also operates the largest dedicated vacuum service network in the UK. This comprising local service centres, a national field service team and the option of a service hub at your site, backed up by our 24/7 remote monitoring service that adds up to a unique service dedicated to maximising the up time of your critical vacuum systems.

Tim Hulbert, General Manager at Busch UK, said: “We are proud to have offered our local vacuum technology and service solutions to UK manufacturers for 50 years, and now stand ready to provide our full support to the rapidly developing UK battery production industry. Through our vacuum solutions and local team, we’re committed to provide manufacturers with long term reliability and energy efficiency, in support of their own sustainability and productivity goals”.

To find out more about Busch vacuum solutions for the lithium-ion battery manufacturing process visit our website.

The 2018 Busch "Innovation in Vacuum Award" Presented to Lapierre Equipment Inc.

Busch (UK) Ltd — 09/11/2018

The 2018 Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award has been presented to the Canadian company Les Équipements Lapierre (Lapierre Equipment Inc.). By employing Busch's Mink dry claw vacuum pumps, the company has revolutionized the way in which maple syrup is tapped directly from trees, significantly improving the effectiveness of the maple syrup production process.

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems presents its Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award every year. This honour is awarded to individuals or businesses who come up with particularly innovative ways to apply vacuum technology and benefit the human world and the environment as a result. The Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award was first presented back in 2013 to mark Busch's 50th anniversary.

Les Équipements Lapierre was set up by Donald Lapierre in 1978. Lapierre produces all of the equipment and accessories required to tap, collect and cook maple sap and produce maple syrup. Lapierre also runs one of the world's largest organic maple syrup farms. Tapping approximately 150,000 maple trees each year, this facility is also used as a research and development centre for Les Équipements Lapierre. Until the 1970s, metal spiles (a kind of tap) were inserted into drilled holes on the maple trees; the sap would then drip out of the tree and collected in buckets. Donald Lapierre also used this traditional method back in the early days of his business. But unsatisfied with the traditional sap collecting methods, he decided to change the whole process. Donald Lapierre's father was already using a very simple vacuum system, though it was not particularly efficient. So, Donald Lapierre improved it by changing to plastic tubing and spiles and inventing his patented extractors (sap releasers). With these inventions, he created a network of pipes and vacuums that extracted sap from the trees instead of it having to collect in a bucket. This had two major advantages. Firstly, the maple sap could be collected much faster without having to change the buckets several times a day. Secondly, the spiles he used in this setup were much smaller than the traditional taps, meaning that the maple trees could regenerate quicker. The Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont tested the effects of using vacuum technology on trees and studied the quality of the syrup, revealing that neither the health of the trees nor the quality of the syrup suffers as a result.

The only weak spots in this system were the vacuum pumps (liquid ring vacuum pumps and oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps) initially employed by Donald Lapierre for his solution. Experts from Busch found a solution to this problem, introducing Donald Lapierre to Mink dry claw vacuum pumps. These vacuum pumps deliver the ideal result, providing an efficient, clean and dry vacuum without the need for any water or oil as an operating fluid. What's more, they are practically maintenance-free.

With its innovative concepts, Les Équipements Lapierre sets the bar for the maple syrup industry and is one of the leading producers of premium maple syrup that exceeds expectations when it comes to quality, flavour and environmentally friendly production.

The 2018 Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award was presented to Donald Lapierre and his family by Ayhan, Sami and Kaya Busch at Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems' headquarters in Maulburg, Germany.

www.busch.co.uk

Busch donates €100,000 for emergency aid of the the German Red Cross

Busch (UK) Ltd — 29/03/2022

People on the run, destroyed cities, damaged hospitals and hardly any possibilities to care for the injured: The German Red Cross (DRK) has launched an emergency aid project to respond as quickly as possible to the devastating situation in Ukraine. Busch Vacuum Solutions is supporting the humanitarian efforts to help the people directly affected by the current situation in Ukraine with a donation of 100,000 euros.

In the Ukraine war, the German Red Cross, together with the Ukrainian and Polish Red Cross, is setting up a supply line to enable the rapid delivery of relief supplies to Ukraine. Among other items, hygiene packages, first aid kits, power banks and thousands of cots, sleeping mats and blankets will be delivered to Poland and from there on to Ukraine. The DRK is preparing to send a field hospital and support the Ukrainian Red Cross with first aid, wound care and evacuations.

Co-owner Kaya Busch: "We have decided to give 100,000 euros to the German Red Cross as humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The fast and well-organized supply of the civilian population has top priority in this terrible emergency situation. We believe that the German Red Cross can achieve the most for the people, due to its good equipment and proximity of the conflict."

Busch has supported the important work of the German Red Cross for many years. But rarely has direct and, above all, financial support been as important as it has been in recent weeks. The employees of Busch companies around the world are also showing their solidarity and supporting people in need. The sales company in Poland, for example, is collecting food donations, warm clothing, sleeping bags and blankets and bringing them directly to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Ukrainian colleagues have been working at Busch in the Czech Republic for many years. The company supports these employees in accommodating family members who have fled and not only provides financial assistance here, but also collects urgently needed donations in kind. Busch has also stopped all deliveries of products to Russia until further notice.

www.buschvacuum.com

Busch Introduces New Generation of Small MINK MM

Busch (UK) Ltd — 10/11/2023

Busch Vacuum Solutions introduces new MINK MM dry claw vacuum pumps. The new generation stands out for its minimal operating costs, low energy consumption and reduced CO₂ footprint through reduced raw material requirements. They feature a three-piece housing for quicker and easier maintenance and a special oil-draining tool. The new compact MINK MMs are 15% lighter than their predecessors and are also available as Aqua versions or with an IoT Kit. They can be used, for example, in the medical field and the food industry, for vacuum packaging and pneumatic conveying, and in machine building, woodworking and the plastics industry.

The new MINK MM 0182 / 0142 / 0104 / 0084 A are improved versions of the proven MINK MM 1142 / 1102 /1144 / 1104 BV. Despite being approximately 15% lighter in weight, they are just as robust and offer the same performance as their predecessors. Since the connections are also in the same places, the new vacuum pump can easily replace the older versions 1:1, even in vacuum systems.

Thanks to the proven dry and contact-free vacuum technology, the new MINK MMs are particularly efficient and nearly maintenance-free. Nevertheless, the new vacuum pump’s redesigned three-part housing provides easier access for service and maintenance, which is particularly fast and efficient. The oil drain has also been optimized. A special oil-draining tool prevents oil from flowing into the housing when draining.

The vacuum pumps are suited for a wide range of applications in the food industry, hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as in woodworking for clamping on CNC routers but also in many other industries that want to improve their processes and reduce their energy costs.

The new MINK MM 0182 A and MINK MM 0142 A are designed for applications in the rough vacuum range with a reduced ultimate vacuum of up to 40 hPa (mbar), while the new MINK MM 0104 A and MM 0084 A are conceptualized for a vacuum level of up to 60 hPa (mbar).

The vacuum pumps can be supplied with an inlet filter or vacuum relief valve and can be retrofitted with the IoT Kit from Busch for monitoring. For applications in humid environments, the new vacuum pumps are also available in Aqua versions with a corrosion-resistant Aqua coating. These can be equipped with a special filter and a condensate drain.

Ideally adapted to every process: vacuum pumps with variable speed drive

Busch (UK) Ltd — 28/04/2023

Whatever the vacuum process, a variable speed drive (VSD) – also known as a frequency-controlled drive – can make manufacturing more economical. Normally, vacuum pumps run at a fixed rotational speed. However, if demand fluctuates over time, the vacuum pump will continue to run at full power, even if it is not needed at all. A VSD controls the rotational speed of the pump's motor and adjusts the pumping speed to the fluctuations in demand. This results in significant energy savings, lower CO₂emissions and reduced maintenance costs.

A variable speed drive (VSD) is a digital controller that regulates the rotational speed of a motor. It enables the pumping speed of a vacuum pump to be adapted exactly to the actual requirements of your process. The result: significant energy savings. Busch Vacuum Solutions offers a wide range of vacuum pumps with integrated VSD. Even vacuum pumps that have already been installed can be easily converted with retrofit kits.

Fluctuations in vacuum demand

Vacuum demand often varies within production processes. Ideally, the vacuum supply should be synchronised with demand. With a variable speed drive, vacuum pumps can be adjusted to match variations in vacuum demand. Reacting to fluctuations in demand makes considerable energy savings possible. In combination with a pressure sensor, a variable speed drive automatically regulates the rotational speed of the pump's motor.

Choice of operating modes

In scenarios with changing process parameters, we recommend vacuum pumps that can be controlled on a demand-driven basis and that either guarantee a consistent pumping speed or constantly maintain the required vacuum level. For processes with constant vacuum demand, it is recommended to leave the vacuum pump running at constant speed. For processes with changing vacuum demand over time, the pressure control mode is the ideal choice. In this case, the vacuum pump adjusts the rotational speed according to the required vacuum level. Once this vacuum level has been achieved, the vacuum pump continues to run at minimum speed, enabling it to respond to a sudden need for increased vacuum demand. This makes it possible to achieve additional energy savings.

Cost savings and improved performance

With a vacuum pump such as the R5 rotary vane vacuum pump from Busch, the integration of a VSD allows for energy savings of up to 50 percent. In a typical production process using a pump with a 30 kW motor, this results in a CO₂savings of more than 10,000 kilograms annually – an amount that more than 1,000 trees would absorb. Maintenance costs are also reduced as compared to fixed speed pumps, due to lower average usage that limits wear on bearings and seals. In addition, a motor with VSD can be operated at a higher speed independently of the power supply. This results in a pump speed increase of around 20–40% and a correspondingly higher pumping speed than when the pump is operated at 50 Hz.

Busch UK Awarded with the Food Processing Awards 2022

Busch (UK) Ltd — 04/11/2022

OTTO, the new digital services from Busch Vacuum Solutions, continuously monitor the vacuum pumps of Busch customers, thus avoiding downtime in production. For this innovation, Busch Vacuum Solutions has now been honoured with the Food Processing Award 2022 in the category smart/digital technology at the UK’s leading food and beverage engineering forum “Appetite for Engineering”.

“This is a wonderful recognition of how Busch has been serving the food industry with innovative vacuum solutions for over 50 years. We are committed to helping our customers reduce downtime, save energy and reduce carbon footprint, and our OTTO digital services are helping us to do that right now across an increasing number of manufacturing and food processing sites in the UK,” comments Tim Hulbert, General Manager of Busch UK.

“Appetite for Engineering” offers UK food and beverage industry leaders the opportunity to exchange ideas and find out about new, cutting-edge solutions to production problems. The food processing award recognizes companies and individuals for engineering excellence and innovation within the UK food and beverage manufacturing sector.

The jury stated about OTTO: “BUSCH – OTTO digital services help food and beverage manufacturers to reduce their production downtime and remove vacuum pump maintenance from their workload.”

OTTO, the digital service innovation from Busch, combines condition monitoring of vacuum pumps with vacuum service packages. At an early stage, OTTO detects whether a problem could occur. This leads to optimum process reliability and thus higher productivity. Unplanned downtime and the associated risks and costs are avoided. The data that OTTO collects is sent to the Busch Cloud, where it is analyzed. In an intuitive dashboard, the status of all connected vacuum pumps is displayed. It can be accessed via a PC or mobile in the Busch vacuum app. Already installed Busch vacuum pumps can also be retrofitted with the Busch IoT kit as part of an OTTO package.

For more information on OTTO digital services from Busch please click here.

Image caption: The Food Processing Award in the smart/digital category was presented to Busch for its new, innovative OTTO digital services. From left to right: David Dearden (Managing Director of Euchner UK, the company that sponsored the award category and presented the award), Georgia Ferriday (Service Product Manager at Busch UK), Harry Baggley (Regional Manager at Busch UK) and comedian Josh Daniels who hosted the event. Source: Busch Vacuum Solutions.

New Leak Detectors from Busch

Busch (UK) Ltd — 12/02/2021

Busch Vacuum Solutions has now introduced two new leak detectors to the market. They are ideal for testing the tightness of vacuum systems or individual vacuum components and for locating possible leaks and quantifying their leakage rate. The two new leak detectors TAPIR HL 1102 A and 2216 A operate with helium or hydrogen as a tracer gas and can detect leaks with a leakage rate of up to 5 x 10^-13 Pa m³/s depending on the test method.

The requirements for the tightness of vacuum systems and their components are growing increasingly. Leaks can pose considerable risks if gases hazardous to health or the environment escape. Moreover, leaks can worsen the economic efficiency of a vacuum system and have a negative impact on product quality. TAPIR HL leak detectors are specially designed to avoid these problems and can be used in many applications. There are two possible test methods with TAPIR HL leak detectors:

Spray test

The tracer gas is sprayed onto the surface of a component under vacuum. If the tracer gas molecules penetrate the vacuum component, they are suctioned in by the integrated vacuum pump and fed to an analyser cell, where the individual gas atoms are detected, measured, and documented. The spray test has the highest sensitivity of all test methods.

Sniffing leak detection

In the sniffing method, a vacuum component is pressurised with the tracer gas. The outer surface of the component is scanned with a sniffer probe. Leaking tracer gas atoms can be immediately detected, measured, and documented. The sniffing method allows the exact location of the leak to be detected.

The smaller leak detector TAPIR HL 1102 A is designed for mobile applications by service technicians. The integrated dry diaphragm vacuum pump as a backing pump of the turbomolecular vacuum pump, which is also integrated, allows for compact dimensions. Due to its low weight, the device is easily portable and can therefore be used quickly at any location.

The larger multi-purpose device TAPIR HL 2216 A is designed for stationary applications, for example for routine tests in a production line. An oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump with a high pumping speed acts as a backing pump here for a turbomolecular vacuum pump.

Both versions are equipped with a detachable control panel, which includes a high definition colour display with touchscreen. Thanks to the built-in magnets, it can also be attached to metal supports. In the event of a leak, TAPIR either shows the leakage rate on the display or gives an acoustic signal.

All relevant data is stored on the integrated SD memory card. The data can be easily downloaded and used for documentation and post-processing of the leak test results. The menu is clearly structured and is intuitive to use. All parameter settings can be adjusted. This allows users to quickly observe the important details of their specific processes.

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Busch Vacuum Solutions nominated for Rudolf Diesel Medal

Busch (UK) Ltd — 21/05/2021

Each year, Europe's oldest innovation award honours entrepreneurs and companies that have demonstrated both their inventive spirit and their ability to successfully implement ideas in an entrepreneurial manner. This year, the Rudolf Diesel Medal was awarded online for the first time. Busch Vacuum Solutions was among the nominees for the Rudolf Diesel Medal 2021.

The Rudolf Diesel Medal has been awarded every year since 1953 and is based on the innovative and inventive lifetime achievement of the engineer Rudolf Diesel. This year, Busch Vacuum Solutions was nominated in the "Most Successful Innovation Achievement" category. From small beginnings Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch, together with his wife Ayhan, has shaped a globally operating company for vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors. Today, Busch products are used worldwide in the food, chemical, medical and semiconductor industries, among others.

With the HUCKEPACK, Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch developed the first oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump specially designed for packaging foodstuffs. A milestone in the history of vacuum. Compact, robust, with integrated additional functionality ideally suited to the market, and at the same time designed for mass production with a minimum number of components, the pump was superior to competing products in many respects. The shelf life of food products could be significantly increased by this innovation. Worldwide, the products designed by Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch were copied by competitors, demonstrating the impact of his innovations.

The Rudolf Diesel Medal honours personalities and companies that have made a significant contribution to enhancing the quality of life, prosperity and preserving the culture of innovation in Germany. Such successes have a signal effect for the entire economy. The awarding of the Rudolf Diesel Medal is intended to bring these successes to the public's attention and at the same time motivate young people for innovation and entrepreneurial achievements.

Click here to visit the Busch Vacuum Systems website.

Gas-Tight MINK MM from Busch Is “TA-Luft” Compliant

Busch (UK) Ltd — 07/11/2022

The trusted technical inspection institution TÜV Süd in Germany has checked the sealing system of the gas-tight MINK MM vacuum pumps and compressors from Busch Vacuum Solutions and confirmed that it complies with the latest “TA-Luft” standards (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control). Now, the “TA-Luft” certification was issued.

“The ‘TA-Luft’ certification offers us the opportunity to open-up further applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the petrochemical industry and refineries”, explains Lisa Heitz, Product Manager for MINK vacuum pumps and compressors at Busch. Business Development Manager Alfons Schlotmann adds: “The ‘TA-Luft’ certification is particularly valuable for us, as almost all process plants that exist in Germany have to be operated with ‘TA-Luft’-compliant seals.”

“TA-Luft” is the central set of regulations in Germany for reducing emissions. Its requirements serve to protect human health and the environment. The regulations define limits for the emission of pollutants that must be complied with.

TÜV Süd has certified the sealing system of the following MINK vacuum pumps and compressors:

Vacuum pumps:

MINK MM 1104/1102/1144/1142 BV gas-tight version
MINK MM 1202/1252/1324/1322 AV gas-tight version
MINK MM 1402/1502 AV gas-tight version

Compressors:

MINK MM 1104/1102/1144/1142 BP gas-tight version
MINK MM 1202/1252/1324/1322 AP gas-tight version

Alfons Schlotmann explains: “Our sealing concept has been assessed as technically tight, which means that when our MINK MM series in gas-tight design is used as intended, there is no risk of air contamination by process gases according to ‘TA-Luft’.”

To discover our MINK dry claw vacuum pumps and compressors click here to visit our website.

Climeworks receives "Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award 2021"

Busch (UK) Ltd — 17/06/2022

The company Climeworks has been awarded with the Innovation Award by Busch Vacuum Solutions for its advanced use of vacuum technology. Climeworks is the first company to use Direct Air Capture technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In this way, the company is actively making an important contribution to reducing global warming. In these unique plants, MINK claw vacuum technology from Busch is used to filter CO₂.

Busch presents the "Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award" once a year. This award honours individuals or companies that make use of vacuum technology with particularly innovative ideas and thereby serve the well-being of people and the environment. The "Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award" was first presented in 2013 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Busch Vacuum Solutions.

The rise in temperature caused by climate change can only be limited by restoring a healthy balance in the CO₂ content of the atmosphere. This can only be realized if both current emissions are drastically reduced and unavoidable emissions that have already been emitted are removed from the air.

Using Climeworks' Direct Air Capture technology, CO₂ is filtered directly from the air. CO₂ collectors selectively capture carbon dioxide in a two-step process. First, air is drawn into the collector by a fan. The carbon dioxide is captured on the surface of a highly selective filter material located inside the collectors. After the filter material is filled with carbon dioxide, the collector is closed, and the temperature is raised to 80 to 100 °C - releasing and capturing the pure carbon dioxide. The filtered CO₂ is extracted using MINK claw vacuum pumps from Busch.

It is then mixed with water and injected underground into basalt rock by Climeworks' partner Carbfix. Over a period of a few years, the CO₂ mineralizes itself and is thus permanently and safely removed from the atmosphere and converted back into rock underground. Climeworks' technology is powered exclusively by renewable energy or waste heat, and the modular collectors can be combined to create systems of various sizes.

Climeworks and Busch have a close partnership from the beginning. Climeworks has now been awarded the "Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award 2021" for its innovative use of vacuum technology in CO₂ removal. Managing Director and founder of Climeworks Jan Wurzbacher accepted the award together with other representatives of the company during a small ceremony at the headquarters of Busch Vacuum Solutions in Maulburg.

Vacuum ensures safe storage of Corona vaccine

Busch (UK) Ltd — 26/03/2021

Vaccination is currently a major topic worldwide. Only widespread vaccination against COVID-19 seems to make a return to normal life possible. Production of the vaccine is therefore running at full speed. The liquid vaccine is filled into small glass bottles. These are produced with the help of vacuum.

To guarantee the full effectiveness of the vaccine, the choice of the right glass container is crucial. Only borosilicate glass has all the necessary characteristics. This special glass is highly resistant to chemicals and particularly to external heat, which is crucial for storing the vaccine. The glass expands only slightly due to external temperature changes, and the vaccine inside the glass bottles thus remains optimally protected and durable.

Vacuum technology from Busch Vacuum Solutions is used to manufacture the glass bottles. During the melting process, it helps to extract the air trapped in the liquid glass mass. This ensures optimum product quality without inclusions. And during the forming process of the glass mass itself, vacuum also plays a key role for the stability and uniform appearance of the bottles. Thanks to vacuum from Busch, the glass bottles have the optimum characteristics for keeping the Corona vaccine safe until it is injected.

Image: © Gorodenkoff - stock.adobe.com

Click here to visit our website for more information on Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch UK Celebrates 50 Years of Making a Difference

Busch (UK) Ltd — 01/04/2021

Busch UK celebrates 50 years of providing vacuum solutions to the UK market.

Busch (UK) Ltd began in 1971 when the first overseas subsidiary of the global Busch group was established in Croydon, Surrey. Almost twenty years later, Busch UK moved to its current premises in Telford, Shropshire. Further expansion led to a specialist service centre in Scotland, originally opening in Livingston in 1998 before moving to its current premises in East Kilbride in 2005.

From this position, vacuum solutions from Busch have enabled almost every industry in the UK to become safer, more productive and more sustainable over the last 50 years. The range of applications and uses for Busch vacuum solutions are incredibly diverse: from farming to food packaging, from life-saving medical applications to pharmaceutical production, from renewable energy to space research and from metals treatment to semiconductor production.

Image 2: Busch provides vacuum solutions are all areas, from food packaging to space research

Now, in 2021, as the company celebrates its 50^th Anniversary, the Busch team’s mission has never been clearer. Tim Hulbert, Busch UK’s Managing Director explains: “Our mission is to grow by creating the highest value for their customers. We’re proud of our 50 years of heritage and are now ready to do our part to help UK manufacturing achieve its net zero goals in the coming years. Busch vacuum solutions make the difference when it comes to extending the shelf life of food products, reducing energy consumption in almost every manufacturing process and improving productivity through our centralised systems and service offerings. We are a local team, with UK manufacturing and vacuum service centres, ready to support our customers as they recover from the pandemic and grow. Our local presence also means we’re committed for the long term to the communities in which we operate, with a range of charitable and STEM initiatives that will hopefully inspire future generations of vacuum specialists!”

Image 3: Busch has been supporting customers with vacuum service for 50 years

About Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch Vacuum Solutions is one of the world’s largest producers of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, blowers and compressors.

Its extensive product portfolio comprises solutions for vacuum and overpressure applications in all industries, including the chemical, semiconductor, medical technology, plastics, and food sectors. It also covers the design and construction of customized vacuum systems, as well as a global service network.

The Busch group is a family-owned company and still managed by the Busch family. Busch Vacuum Solutions has 3,500 employees in more than 60 companies in over 40 countries worldwide. Busch is headquartered in Maulburg, in southwest Germany. This is the location of Busch SE headquarters, as well as the German production facility and German sales company. In addition to Maulburg, Busch also has its own production plants in Switzerland, the UK, Czech Republic, Korea and the USA.

For more information on Busch (UK) Ltd please visit www.buschvacuum.com.

The sky is no longer the limit for Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch (UK) Ltd — 28/09/2020

The Mars rover “Perseverance“ started its mission to Mars and will hopefully bring back rock samples from Mars for future research. To make such missions possible, a lot of research is necessary before the actual start into space. Busch Vacuum Solutions collaborated with the European Space Agency, Fluid Gravity Engineering Ltd and the University of Glasgow to realise a research project to prepare space missions like this. Vacuum pumps from Busch are part of a system that studies the behaviour of a rocket when it lands on the surface of Mars or the Moon.

With the help of this complex system, the landing of a rocket is simulated, and the surface of Mars and the Moon is imitated on the basis of different pressure levels. The surface of the Moon, for example, is in an ultra-high vacuum, and the surface gravity is only one-sixth of that of the earth, which means that a human being would weigh only one-sixth as much on the Moon as on the Earth. Parameters like this have an influence on the forces that act when a rocket lands on the surface of the Moon. And exactly these are simulated with the vacuum system. The change in the Moon's dust is captured and recorded by high-speed cameras.

Using the right vacuum technology was the key to achieving the ideal test conditions. The vacuum system from Busch Vacuum Solutions provides the perfect conditions and helps to support the research of future space missions.

Saving Energy with Intelligent Vacuum Technology

Busch (UK) Ltd — 13/11/2020

Busch Vacuum Solutions has now launched the COBRA NX 0950 A PLUS, the second vacuum pump in the new PLUS series. It is a dry, oil-free vacuum pump, which can run with pressure control or at a constant rotational speed, making it exceptionally energy-efficient. The COBRA PLUS can thus precisely maintain the desired pumping speed at a prescribed rotational speed. It can also accurately sustain the required vacuum level, regardless of how the process conditions change. The new COBRA PLUS has a wide range of use in applications where dry vacuum technology is required, where an independent and demand-driven control system is desired and where vacuum is to be generated reliably and thus efficiently.

Thanks to its variable speed drive, the vacuum pump covers a pumping speed range from 200 to 950 cubic meters per hour and reaches an ultimate pressure of 0.01 millibar. All operating data is constantly recorded and saved. This data can be accessed directly on the built-in display or transferred via a Modbus TCP/IP client/server protocol. As a result, the vacuum pump can also be controlled remotely from a PC. This makes the new vacuum pump from Busch fully prepared for Industry 4.0.

The COBRA PLUS is designed to be operated in two different modes. Following an intuitive menu structure on the display, users can choose between the constant speed mode or pressure control mode. The most suitable operating mode depends on the type of application. If, for example, a process requires constant pumping speed, this can be set using the 'Constant speed' operating mode and changed again at any time.

In contrast, pressure control uses a defined ultimate pressure setting. The vacuum pump precisely maintains this ultimate pressure, regardless of how the pumping speed changes. This means that this operating mode is always used if constant ultimate pressure or a constant vacuum level is needed. Once the required vacuum level is in place, the COBRA PLUS continues to run at a minimum speed of 20 Hertz, enabling it to respond to a sudden need for increased pumping speed by increasing the rotational speed. In the event of extended breaks, the vacuum pump can also switch on and off automatically, thanks to Ecomode.

Both operating modes thus help the COBRA PLUS operate in a way that perfectly suits the process, resulting in extreme efficiency as only the power that is actually necessary is consumed.

The COBRA PLUS vacuum pump is based on the proven screw vacuum technology from Busch. The fluid-free operating principle makes it possible to avoid using oil or other operating fluids when generating vacuum. This makes it particularly well-suited for applications requiring that the pumped medium not be contaminated by operating fluids, or those that require clean-room conditions.

Click here to find out more on our website.

60 Years of Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch (UK) Ltd — 26/09/2023

60 years ago, Busch Vacuum Solutions was founded by Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch. Today, 8,000 people work for the family-owned company in 110 subsidiaries worldwide. The company has been world market leader in the vacuum packaging market segment for decades.

Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch met in Munich, where she studied medicine and he mechanical engineering. In 1960, Dr Karl Busch received his doctorate on the subject of “Friction and wear in water-lubricated rotary compressors.” He then went on to work as a design manager in the machine factory owned by his grandfather, Karl Wittig, in Schopfheim in the Black Forest in Germany. In 1963, he and his wife founded “Dr.-Ing. Karl Busch GmbH” there. The company relocated to Maulburg, the neighboring village, in 1972, where it remains today.

When self-service supermarkets appeared in Germany in the early 1960s, Dr Karl Busch developed the first vacuum pump specifically for packaging food: the HUCKEPACK, a particularly compact and robust vacuum pump with pump stages arranged one above the other. This stacked design explains its name, which is the German word for piggyback.

It was thanks to Ayhan Busch’s entrepreneurial foresight that the young company grew so quickly. She recognized early on the importance of international expansion. In 1971, Busch founded its first foreign branch in the United Kingdom. In just 15 years, another 18 subsidiaries and four production facilities followed all over the world. The Busch couple never relied on banks while building up their company. Instead, they used the capital they had generated themselves. In 1981, Busch was the first German industrial company to sign a cooperation agreement for production in China. With HUCKEPACK’s successor, the R5, an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump, the company set a new industry standard and became a world market leader in the vacuum packaging sector.

Today, Busch offers vacuum solutions for a wide range of applications for various industries. The company is represented by 110 subsidiaries all over the world, including production facilities in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Korea, Romania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam. The international Busch Group also includes Pfeiffer Vacuum AG, a vacuum pump manufacturer based in northern Hesse, Germany.

Busch Vacuum Solutions is jointly managed by Ayhan and Dr Karl Busch, as well as their three children Ayla, Sami, and Kaya Busch. The Busch family still makes all major decisions together. This principle, which Ayhan Busch established, remains the recipe for success on which the company is based today. In 2022, the Busch family received the most prestigious honor for family businesses in Germany, the award “Family Entrepreneur of the Year”, in recognition of its diversity between generations, genders and cultures.

Additionally, Ayhan Busch and Dr Karl Busch were jointly named as citizens of honor by the municipality of Maulburg in 2015. In 2019, the Technical University of Munich named Dr Karl Busch an honorary senator. In the same year, he and his wife received the Business Medal from the state of Baden-Württemberg for their outstanding entrepreneurial achievements, and in 2022, they were presented the Gold Medal of Honor from the district of Lörrach for their social and cultural commitment.

Vacuum technology for chemical and pharmaceutical processes

Busch (UK) Ltd — 12/09/2018

Selecting the right vacuum technology for chemical and pharmaceutical processing applications is often difficult. Firstly, a vacuum system has to deliver the required pumping speed at operating pressure and thus ensure the required pump-down time. Secondly, it cannot be sensitive to process gases and has to meet all requirements when it comes to CIP (clean-in-place) cleaning and gas recovery. Reliability and economic efficiency also play a significant role when deciding which vacuum technology to use.

Here, we will outline the three vacuum technologies most often used in chemical and pharmaceutical processing technologies.

Liquid ring vacuum pumps
Dry screw vacuum pumps
Oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps

Liquid ring vacuum pumps

Liquid ring vacuum pumps are used in many applications. They are rotating positive displacement pumps with an impeller that is eccentrically placed in a cylindrical housing. Water is usually used as the operating fluid. The rotation of the impeller creates a liquid ring on the inside of the housing that seals the spaces between the individual blades. The gas is conveyed in the spaces between the centre, the individual blades and the liquid ring. Thanks to the eccentric placement of the impeller, the volume of these spaces increases, thus sucking the medium in through the inlet. As the impeller continues to rotate, the volume of the spaces is reduced, the medium is compressed and then discharged again through the discharge. The liquid ring vacuum pump can be operated as a simple continuous flow system, or as a partial or total recirculation system.

Over many years, these vacuum pumps have proven themselves to be robust and reliable vacuum generators in chemical processes. The operating fluid in the compression chamber continuously dissipates the compression heat, so the vacuum pump operates nearly isothermally. This means that the process gas does not heat up to a notable degree and the vacuum pump operates at relatively low temperatures. This significantly reduces the risk of unwanted reactions or an explosion. Low operating temperatures also facilitate condensation of vapours and gases, which increases the nominal pumping speed of the vacuum pump.

Water is usually used to create the liquid ring. Ethylene glycol, mineral oils or organic solvents are also often used in practice. The ultimate pressure of the vacuum pump depends on the vapour pressure and viscosity of the liquid. The viscosity of the operating fluid will impact the power consumption of the vacuum pump.

Liquid ring vacuum pumps are available on the market in different versions, materials and shaft seals.

Advantages of liquid ring vacuum pumps:

Not sensitive at all to vapours or liquids entering the system
The different material versions enable them to be tailored to the process gas

Disadvantages:

Possible contamination of the operating fluid with condensate from the process gas, which makes it necessary to subsequently treat the operating fluid before its disposal
High energy consumption
Ultimate pressure depends on the vapour pressure of the operating fluid

Dry screw vacuum pumps

Dry screw vacuum technology is also very widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. However, this is relatively new compared to liquid ring technology.

In the 1990s, Busch launched the first dry screw vacuum pump on the market, the COBRA AC. The major difference compared to the liquid ring vacuum pump described above is that screw vacuum pumps do not require operating fluid to compress the process gas. This is why it is called a “dry” screw vacuum pump.

In a screw vacuum pump, two screw-shaped rotors rotate in opposite directions. The pumped medium is trapped between the cylinder and screw chambers, compressed, and transported to the gas outlet. During the compression process the screw rotors do not come into contact with each other or the cylinder. Precise manufacturing and minimal clearance between the moving parts enable this operating principle and, in addition, guarantees a low ultimate pressure of <0.1 mbar.

Screw vacuum pumps operate using water cooling, which ensures even temperature distribution throughout the pump body and thus thermal stability in the entire process.

Modern screw vacuum pumps feature variable pitch screws, which results in pre-compression of the process gases. The advantage is that both gas temperatures and power consumption of the vacuum pump can be reduced significantly. In older generations of screw vacuum pumps, the pitch of the screws is the same across the entire length. This leads to compression of the process gas in the last half rotation of the screw, which generates excessive thermal load there. Thus, adjusting to the ideal operating temperature with water cooling is more difficult. Generally, dry screw vacuum pumps operate at higher temperatures than liquid ring vacuum pumps. Condensation of process gas elements is thus largely eliminated. This enables the process gas to be conveyed through the vacuum pump without contamination or causing a reaction with an operating fluid. Cast iron is the standard material used for work pieces for all parts that come into contact with the pumped medium. It is either untreated or treated with a special coating to make it resistant to nearly all chemicals. After the end of the process, we recommend flushing the vacuum pump with a suitable cleaning fluid and to purge it with nitrogen to avoid corrosion and deposit forming during stand-still.

With different compression systems and various coatings, screw vacuum pumps from Busch can be configured to be compatible with any chemical.

Advantages of dry screw vacuum pumps:

Dry compression, no contamination or reaction possible between process gas and operating fluid
High vacuum level
Energy efficient
Can be designed for nearly all process gases thanks to material selection and temperature regulation

Disadvantages of dry screw vacuum pumps:

Sensitive to particles entering the system
Cannot be used with process gases that tend to be reactive at high temperatures

Once-through oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps

Oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps have been successfully used in many fields for decades. Today, they are amongst the most widely used mechanical vacuum pumps in the industry. Busch already developed the Huckepack, a two-stage once-through oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump in the 1960s, which was specially designed for chemical and pharmaceutical processing technology. Busch has constantly further developed this vacuum pump, which continues to enjoy great acceptance in processing technology today thanks to its robustness.

Huckepack rotary vane vacuum pumps have three significant distinguishing features when compared to other vacuum pumps that operate according to the rotary vane principle:

Two compression stages are stacked and connected to each other which facilitates initial compression of the process gas in the first stage and secondary compression in the subsequent second stage. This makes it possible to achieve a lower ultimate pressure.
These vacuum pumps feature an oil-lubrication which means that a defined amount of operating fluid, oil or other media-compatible fluid is injected into the compression chamber. In contrast, other rotary vane vacuum pumps use oil circulating lubrication.
Huckepack rotary vane vacuum pumps are water cooled, thus allowing the operating temperature to be regulated within a certain range.

Huckepack rotary vane vacuum pumps are rotating positive displacement pumps. The vanes are placed in slots in a rotor, which rotates eccentrically in a cylindrical housing. Because of the centrifugal force created by the rotating motion of the rotor the vanes slide out of the slots and they come into contact with the cylinder wall. This creates spaces with different volumes, which in turn generate the suction and compression effect. To reduce friction and improve the seal, oil is continuously injected into the compression chamber. This process takes place in both compression stages before the process gas is discharged together with the operating fluid via the outlet and can subsequently be removed. Both stages are water cooled. Versions with once-through water cooling and water circulation are available.

Because the lubricant only flows through the vacuum pump once, nearly all liquids with a viscosity in the range of 150 centistokes (cSt) can be used. These constantly flush the vacuum pump during operation, protecting it from corrosion and deposits. Busch offers vanes made of three different materials to ensure resistance to most solvents.

Advantages of once-through oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps:

High vacuum level
Extremely robust and reliable
Easy servicing
Perfectly suited for conveying acid vapours and monomers or products that lead to polymerization when other vacuum technologies are used

Disadvantages:

Operating fluids must be treated or correctly disposed of

Summary

All of the vacuum generation technologies discussed here have advantages and disadvantages. There is no single ideal solution for all applications. It is therefore important to seek consultation from a vacuum expert and take into account all important parameters in the process, starting with process conditions, process gases and integration into process control, through to economic efficiency, safety and reliability of future vacuum generation. In most cases, consideration of these factors leads to a customized vacuum system that is directly tailored to the requirements.

Highest Reputation for Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch (UK) Ltd — 21/02/2023

According to new studies by the renowned F.A.Z. Institute, Busch Vacuum Solutions is one of the mechanical engineering and systems building companies with the highest reputation.

“As part of intangible capital, a company’s reputation represents the entirety of how it is perceived by the public. It is not enough to shine in one topic area alone. Each of the dimensions considered is important for measuring a company’s performance” state the IMWF’s corporate reputation studies (Institut für Management- und Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH - Institute for Management and Economic Research), which have now been issued by the F.A.Z. Institute.

In three studies, the IMWF analyzed and evaluated the reputation of around 20,000 companies using social listening. Social listening is a way of finding out how people express themselves online about a company, person, product, or brand. Busch has received the highest recognition both as a company and for its innovations.

Only 55 companies from the mechanical engineering and systems building industry received the award for the highest company reputation. 47 mechanical and plant engineering companies were identified for having the highest reputation for innovation.

The studies are based on around 22.9 million mentions of the companies from news pages, websites, forums, important social media channels, consumer pages, press releases and blogs, which were published between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

IMWF and the F.A.Z. Institute jointly analyse the reputation of companies in online media and social platforms. The IMWF (Institut für Management- und Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH - Institute for Management and Economic Research) is a leading specialist in the field of analysis of very large amounts of data from communication using artificial intelligence. The F.A.Z.-Institut für Management-, Markt- und Medieninformationen GmbH (Institute for Management, Market and Media Information) is a company of the renowned Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung publishing group.

This year`s “Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award” presented to Quantafuel ASA

Busch (UK) Ltd — 29/10/2021

The 2020 Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award has been presented to the Norwegian company Quantafuel ASA. By employing Busch's DOLPHIN liquid ring vacuum pumps, Quantafuel has developed technology that is contributing to solving the global waste problem by upgrading plastic waste into valuable products.

Busch Vacuum Solutions presents its Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award every year. This honour is awarded to individuals or businesses who come up with particularly innovative ways to apply vacuum technology and benefit the human world and the environment as a result. The Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award was first presented back in 2013 to mark Busch's 50th anniversary.

Quantafuel develops technology that is contributing to solving the global waste problem. In collaboration with dedicated partners, they have achieved the combined goals of recycling low-quality plastic and sustainable waste management. And Busch Vacuum Solutions is one of these partners that delivers the vacuum technology for the pyrolysis process to give plastic waste a second life. By converting almost all kinds of plastic waste into more environmentally friendly fuel and chemicals, Quantafuel is making a significant contribution to lowering pollution and emissions.

The two companies are linked by a close partnership. Busch supports Quantafuel during the development of the innovative pyrolysis process where they melt all sorts of used recirculated plastic waste and generate mineral oil out of the pyrolysis gas. The mineral oil itself arises in the melting process. DOLPHIN liquid ring vacuum pumps by Busch are used for degassing during the pyrolysis process. The gas is then compressed for further downstream process with the help of vacuum technology.

This innovative process makes the recycling of plastic waste much more environmentally friendly. Quantafuel‘s solution places a value on plastic waste by treating used plastic as a valuable resource and transforming it into new products. And therefore, Busch presented Quantafuel with the Innovation in Vacuum Award. Hans-Christian Felde from Quantafuel received the award at the headquarters of Busch Vacuum Solutions in Maulburg, Germany in a ceremony.

Image:
Presentation of the Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award 2020:
(from left to right) Dr Karl Busch, Ayhan Busch, Oyvind Hansen Billing (General Manager Busch Vakuumteknikk AS), Hans-Christian Felde (Procurement Director Quantafuel ASA), Ayla Busch, Kaya Busch

7 Ways to Reduce Production Downtime

Busch (UK) Ltd — 03/03/2023

Production downtime is one of the biggest risks in the manufacturing industry. From equipment failures to shortages of raw materials, any production downtime can result in major losses in revenue and market share.

There are two types of downtime: planned and unplanned.

Planned downtime is a scheduled shutdown of manufacturing equipment or processes to perform maintenance, inspections, repairs, upgrades or manufacturing setups. It is essential to plan downtime for maintenance to keep your equipment in its optimum condition and to avoid unplanned downtime. Although planned downtime interrupts your manufacturing process, you are still in control of productivity processes.

Unplanned downtime occurs when there is an unexpected shutdown or failure of your manufacturing equipment or process. It causes foodstuffs to spoil if they are not packaged, as well as expensive delays in production and delivery schedules. Additionally, when operations are unstable, it is more difficult to adhere to environmental regulations and comply with sustainability measures. This could result in an increase of environmental incidents.

Thus, preventing production downtime is key to ensuring productivity.

Follow our seven tips to reduce machine downtime in your production line.

Develop a system for quickly identifying and resolving production issues

The system should gather and analyse data that gives insight into the equipment's total maintenance requirements. Interpretation of the data can help your teams resolve production issues by carrying out preventive maintenance. The implementation of such a system allows factories cut down on time lost due to production issues and prevent costly unplanned downtime by alerting employees of possible upcoming equipment failures.

Use predictive analytics to identify potential problems before they occur

Predictive analytics detect patterns in real-time machine data that could lead to the onset of a problem. Data analytics can inform you weeks in advance about which parts of a machine are likely to fail. This allows you to plan your maintenance schedules and order spare parts in advance, effectively reducing downtime and lessening the likelihood of issues reoccurring.

Implement a preventive maintenance program

Preventive maintenance programs are one of the most effective ways to minimise unplanned machine downtime.

You can routinely collect valuable information about your equipment for a systematic maintenance approach. With the right targeted maintenance, you can react to predicted equipment failures or accidents before they occur. By reducing the possibility of unexpected downtime, your staff can focus on more profitable tasks.

Create a system for dealing with glitches and problems as they arise

Having a system that tracks and monitors glitches as they arise allows you to identify the root cause of an issue in your production line. This will enable you to understand how production failures occur and how to prevent them from happening again. This reduces unplanned machine downtime while increasing manufacturing efficiency.

Automate as many processes as possible to reduce human error

Reduce downtime and make your production process more efficient by automating repetitive and tedious tasks that are prone to human error.

This will give your staff more time to focus on profitable tasks and develop their skill sets, which will translate into higher profits for your company and show your workforce that they are your most valuable resource.

Train operators on how to properly operate equipment

Training operators to properly use equipment can significantly reduce downtime in your manufacturing process. If operators know how to use equipment correctly, they are less likely to halt production and can respond faster in emergency situations. Proper training also prevents unplanned downtime caused by human error and decreases the risk of workplace accidents.

Use intelligent IoT solutions

Are six tips too many? Then use tip 7 for an all-in-one solution!

Intelligent IoT solutions help reduce downtime by providing you with a system that quickly identifies and resolves production issues (tip 1). It tracks and monitors your equipment and process with predictive analytics, enabling you to create a maintenance schedule and order the necessary spare parts ahead of time (tip 2). Sensors and data analytics enable IoT to continuously track and monitor performance and process optimisation data from your equipment. This gives you the opportunity to implement preventive maintenance (tip 3) and predict potential issues as they arise (tip 4), effectively lessening the frequency of planned or unplanned downtime. IoT also enables the automation of tasks, shortening the time it takes to complete them and ultimately boosting productivity and reducing human errors (tip 5). Thanks to its user-friendly tools, it is easy to learn how to operate IoT. Your workforce will be able to use it properly in no time (tip 6).

Would you like to optimise your process by installing an IoT system?

Busch also provides you with preventive maintenance by automatically dispatching a service specialist based on the analysis of the collected data when needed.

FAQs

What is production downtime?

Downtime is the time during which a production process is stopped. There are two types of downtime: planned and unplanned.

Planned downtime is a scheduled shutdown of manufacturing equipment to perform maintenance, inspections, repairs and upgrades.

Unplanned downtime is an unexpected shutdown or failure of your manufacturing equipment or process.

How do you calculate production downtime?

Use the following equation to calculate production downtime costs:

Downtime % = (amount of downtime/planned operating time) * 100

What is the average production downtime?

Manufacturers lose an average of 800 hours per year, or more than 15 hours per week, of production time due to equipment downtime.

For information on intelligent IoT solutions from Busch Vacuum Solutions click here.

Busch Autoclave Solutions – For All Autoclave Requirements

Busch (UK) Ltd — 07/03/2024

Following the strategic acquisition of Vacuum Furnace Engineering Ltd in 2021, Busch (UK) Ltd proudly announces the evolution of its autoclave solutions offerings into the Busch brand. The move underscores Busch UK’s expanded capabilities in providing comprehensive autoclave solutions that are tailored to meet diverse industry needs.

Elevated Offerings, Unmatched Expertise

The integration of autoclave solutions into Busch’s robust framework ensures a unified approach to delivering excellence. This evolution solidifies Busch's position as a leader in the autoclave solutions industry, offering unmatched expertise, an enhanced extensive service and product portfolio to address all autoclave, oven and associated composite manufacturing requirements, along with a widened service and support network.

Seamless Transition to Busch

Busch‘s long-standing commitment to customer satisfaction remains unwavering. Busch‘s valued customers will continue to work with the same dedicated team they have trusted for many years, ensuring continuity and familiarity. The esteemed Autoclave Solutions Centre in Poole will operate seamlessly under the Busch banner, while the VFE facility in Halesowen remains dedicated to vacuum furnace solutions.

A One-Stop Shop, Your Complete Autoclave Solutions Partner

Leveraging on decades of extensive expertise, Busch has evolved into a one-stop-shop for customers' specific autoclave requirements. Their dependable services encompass tailored support to ensure maximum equipment uptime, irrespective of brand. Furthermore, Busch offers new equipment and upgrades, including state-of-the-art autoclaves, ovens, cooling systems, vacuum systems, and control systems. The Autoclave Management and Control System (AMCS), engineered by an in-house team, can be customized to meet unique customer requirements. Additionally, with remote monitoring capabilities, Busch provides worldwide support.

For more information please visit: https://www.buschautoclavesolutions.com/

The “Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award” goes to tna

Busch (UK) Ltd — 30/05/2017

The tna Packaging & Processing Solutions company was presented with the Busch Innovation in Vacuum Award for its innovative frying systems. The worldwide specialist for vacuum technology awards this prize annually to companies that use vacuum technology in particularly innovative ways and thus achieve benefits for the world at large.

Now tna Packaging & Processing Solutions received this award from Busch for developing industrial frying systems that make it possible to produce large amounts of potato products like crisps or chips using vacuum. The significant advantage when using vacuum is that these products contain 95 percent less acrylamide, a substance that is hazardous to health, and up to 35 percent less fat than conventionally fried products. tna is a leading provider of process and packaging solutions for the food industry with installations in over 120 countries worldwide and headquarters in Sydney. The frying systems are produced by Florigo B.V., a tna subsidiary in the Netherlands. Florigo B.V. and Busch are linked by a partnership which stretches back decades. Both companies worked together closely during development and Busch always configured and delivered tailored vacuum technology for the respective frying system. Today different vacuum solutions are used depending on the size and design of the frying systems. The patented multi-stage vacuum frying systems have a production volume of one to ten tonnes of potato crisps per hour. The award ceremony took place at Buschs Dutch sales company in Woerden. Ayla Busch from Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems presented the award to Andrew Smith, the Group Manufacturer Manager at tna, at a special ceremony.

During the ceremony, Ayla Busch highlighted the fact that tna used vacuum intelligently to produce significantly higher quality and healthier potato crisps, chips and snacks.

The technical background of this innovation is that conventional frying techniques require temperatures of over 170°C, but in a vacuum, it can be done at 125°C. When the starchy foods are heated, a so-called Maillard reaction takes place between the amino acid asparagine and sugars like glucose or fructose. The harmful substance acrylamide is created in the process. This reaction becomes increasingly intense as temperatures rise so that more and more acrylamide is created, primarily from 170°C. The vacuum also lowers the boiling point of the water in the food. As a result, the water vapour flow prevents oil absorption at relatively low temperatures, therefore significantly reducing the fat content of the fried food.

New vacuum pumps for laboratories and production

Busch (UK) Ltd — 14/02/2017

Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems has now launched a new series of vacuum pumps for a wide range of applications. The new two-stage oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps Zebra RH were developed both for research laboratories and for production processes that work in the medium vacuum range.

Robustness and reliability of operation are the outstanding qualities of Zebra RH rotary vane vacuum pumps. The proven rotary vane vacuum technology from Busch has long established itself as the industry standard in the rough vacuum range. With the new series, Busch is now making inroads in the medium vacuum range. All Zebra RH sizes achieve ultimate pressures <0.0076 hPa (mbar). The series includes eight sizes and covers pumping speeds from 2.4 to 90 m³/h. Zebra RH vacuum pumps are thus also highly suitable as backing pumps for turbomolecular vacuum pumps and can be used in this combination in the high vacuum range.

The consistently high vacuum level in continuous operation is ensured by forced oil lubrication, perfectly coordinated materials as well as state-of-the-art precision manufacturing. Its silent operation makes the Zebra vacuum pump series perfectly suited for use in research labs, where a low-noise working environment is essential. The advanced design ensures that only minimal maintenance is required.

A gas ballast valve that can be manually switched on and off makes it possible to handle gasses with high water vapour load. Some of the application areas are mass spectrometry, leak detectors, glove boxes, vacuum coating and drying as well as various heat treatment processes.

Innovation Champion in Sustainability

Busch (UK) Ltd — 09/12/2022

The renowned F.A.Z. Institute has published a study on sustainability for which around 10,300 companies were considered. Among the 32 mechanical and plant engineering companies evaluated as sustainable in the study, Busch Vacuum Solutions achieved 6th place.

“Innovations are indispensable to enable sustainable business,” says the IMWF’s study, which has now been published by the F.A.Z. Institute*. “It is elementary for the long-term success of companies to align their actions with innovative sustainability solutions and make them part of their brand.”

In its study “Innovation Champion of Sustainability”, the IMWF** (Institut für Management- und Wirtschaftsforschung - Institute for Management and Economic Research) used so-called “social listening” to analyze and evaluate the innovation, research and development as well as ecological, social and economic sustainability of approximately 10,300 companies. Social listening is the method of finding and evaluating what people are saying about a company, person, product, or brand online. Around 750 companies were ultimately named sustainable across all industries. 268 companies were from the mechanical and plant engineering industry, of which only 32 were recognized as sustainable. Busch achieved 6th place with a score of 79.4 out of 100.

Approximately 3.5 million sources from news pages, websites, forums, important social media channels, consumer pages, press releases and blogs published between September 16, 2021, and September 15, 2022, were used for the sustainability analysis.

Only German-language statements from German domains were considered. The data was first split into text fragments using artificial intelligence. Each text fragment was analyzed to determine which company and topic it was about and how the section should be evaluated.

Innovation, research and development each accounted for 25% of the analysis. Ecological, economic and social sustainability were considered for 50% of the evaluation.

*The F.A.Z.-Institut für Management-, Markt- und Medieninformationen GmbH (Institute for Management, Market and Media Information) is a company of the renowned Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung publishing group.

**The IMWF (Institut für Management- und Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH - Institute for Management and Economic Research) is a leading specialist in the field of analysis of very large amounts of data from communication using artificial intelligence. It belongs to the factor account group.

Star Wars Merchandise Thanks to Efficient Vacuum Technology

Busch (UK) Ltd — 22/07/2022

It all began in 1977 with the original Star Wars film and the battle of the dark side of the Force against the light side. Since then, the Star Wars empire has developed rapidly. In addition to numerous films and series, there are also endless merchandise products that have a high demand around the world. Star Wars has become a valuable brand over the years. Fans all over the world spend a lot of money on fan merchandise. This is also the case for the original Stormtrooper helmets. These are still handmade today in Twickenham in England and have a high emotional value for collectors all over the world. Vacuum technology from Busch is used in the production of the plastic helmets. With the help of R5 rotary vane vacuum pumps, the helmets are moulded from plastic.

Sporting Composites Ltd produces the Stormtrooper Hero helmets in the Shepperton Design Studios to this day after the original form of 1976. At that time, the original helmet was made by Andrew Ainsworth for the first Star Wars movie. The helmets are still made by hand and even hand painted. Six employees work at the factory in Twickenham and produce not only the Stormtrooper helmets but also original Star Wars armour and props. The Hero Helmets are made of two-millimeter-thick ABS and are cast in the original moulds of yesteryear. To date, the helmets are not completely symmetrical. This can be attributed to the fact that when the mould was made in the 70s, there were neither CNC machines nor AUTO-CAD. The mould consists of two parts, which at the time when casting the helmet for the Star Wars movie did not fit one hundred percent on each other. But since Andre Ainsworth only had two days until the start of filming, he shaved off one side by hand until the two halves fit together. And so, the asymmetrical original helmet was created, whose characteristic shape has not been changed to this day with the help of modern CAD programs.

When moulding the ABS helmet parts, it is crucial that a clearly defined vacuum is applied to gently pull the material into shape. Since the helmets are only two millimeters thick, vacuum technology is critical to the quality of the moulded parts. Previously, a piston unit provided the vacuum needed to produce the Stormtrooper helmets. This was not only enormously loud and thus a noise nuisance for the employees, but it was also no longer state of the art. When the previous solution failed completely, a reliable replacement was needed quickly. The Shepperton Design Studios therefore contacted the vacuum experts at Busch. They were able to offer a suitable solution in the form of the R5 rotary vane vacuum pump. These vacuum pumps are characterized above all by high pumping speeds even in low pressure ranges and thus fast evacuation times. The heavy-duty rotary vane design ensures reliable performance and long pump life. R5 RA vacuum pumps are designed for continuous operation and are resistant to ultimate pressure. They can be operated continuously at ultimate pressure without overheating. This makes them ideally suited for use in plastic moulding.

Since the loss of helmet production had to be prevented, Busch provided a loaner pump until the vacuum pump that was actually ordered could be delivered. The new Busch rotary vane vacuum pump used is not only a lot quieter, but also works a lot more efficiently. Shepperton Design Studios is pleased that the production of the Stormtrooper helmets is still secured thanks to the new vacuum solution. This means that Star Wars fans all over the world can continue to look forward to their faithful collector's items in the future.

Click here to find out more about Busch Vacuum Solutions.

Busch Vacuum Solutions Introduces New R5 RA

Busch (UK) Ltd — 04/08/2023

The new rotary vane vacuum pump R5 RA 0520 A from Busch increases energy savings by up to 25%. It features a compact and hygienic design, reduced heat emissions, and enables faster and easier maintenance. The optional ECOTORQUE variable speed drive provides up to 50% additional energy savings and a 20% increase in pumping speed.

The proven R5 RA from Busch now comes in an improved version with a completely redesigned interior. The new vacuum pump is 25% more energy efficient than its predecessor, thanks to the optimized compression ratio, pump stage dimensions, and oil discharge path.

It is also available with ECOTORQUE, the Busch variable speed drive (VSD), that enables the pumping speed to be adapted to the exact requirements of any process. As a result, additional energy savings of up to 50% and a 20% increase in pumping speed can be achieved. The accessory extends the supply voltage range supported by the vacuum pump, making it suitable for use in almost all countries around the world. This compact and cost-effective solution is also available as a retrofit.

Compared to the previous generation, the R5 RA 0520 A has a 20% smaller footprint, is 25% lower in height, and the absence of external piping improves leak tightness. The compact and hygienic design features surfaces that repel water and dirt. The total number of spare parts has been reduced by 40%, making maintenance fast and efficient, with all service-related parts located on one side. Heat emissions have also been decreased through an improved cooling system that combines optimal pump operating temperature with compact construction.

The new vacuum pump is made for continuous operation in the rough vacuum range with vacuum levels down to 0.1 hPa (mbar). Field tests were successfully carried out to validate performance and reliability.

The R5 RA 0520 A and the R5 RA 0520 A ECOTORQUE set a new standard in vacuum technology. The pumps are suitable for various applications in vacuum packaging, food and plastics processing, and many other industries. They are an excellent choice for companies looking to improve their processes while minimizing energy costs and reducing their environmental impact.

Click here to visit the Busch website

Six Steps to a Tailor-Made Vacuum Solution

Busch (UK) Ltd — 02/09/2022

Vacuum has the ability to significantly improve manufacturing. Using a vacuum system solution in the right context and for the right reason can dramatically change costs, effectiveness, and sustainability as they relate to manufacturing – because using one vacuum pump alone is often not enough.

Busch Vacuum Solutions primarily offers tailor-made vacuum systems in addition to modular systems to provide the right solution for individual process requirements – from initial analysis to design, from installation to subsequent top-quality service.

Building a system solution is always a joint undertaking. Each solution aims to be compliant with location regulations, as well as to be reliable, energy-saving, sustainable and economical. An essential part of the process is including the customer and their requests during the planning process. Busch follows a concept made up of six steps to find the optimum vacuum solution for the respective process.

Consultation and analysis
This important initial step is to examine and understand the customer’s challenges and expectations. A Busch vacuum expert collaborates with the customer on site to discover the best solution for the customer’s individual needs. The most important questions are clarified first: What will the vacuum solution be used for? Which vacuum technology is most suitable? What improvements should be made regarding efficiency, energy consumption or the work environment?

Design and quotation
After discussions with the customer, the local technicians draft an initial overall concept. This concept creates the framework for designing and building the future vacuum system. The process takes many factors into consideration, among other things, the local conditions, compliance, safety, performance, and easy operability. A clear and comprehensive quotation for the tailor-made vacuum solution is then drawn up based on this concept.

Manufacture and installation

The vacuum system solution will be built in one of Busch’s local systems building centers. The global network of experts provides support during this stage. Once the system has been built, it is then installed. This means not only delivering it, but also having local service engineers integrate it into the customer’s ongoing

production processes and connecting it to the piping system. Once installed, we will verify tightness, proper functionality, and conformity. We also perform necessary test runs and final start-up.

Training

Training is a vital component. The vacuum experts from Busch will fully train staff on site to guarantee safe and reliable operation of the new vacuum system. They will learn how to maintain maximum performance.

Service

The new vacuum system solution is now fully operational and can be run by the trained staff. Service from Busch ensures that things will stay that way in the long term, too – with preventive maintenance. This is handled on site or with remote support via digital services. Customer service always supports customers and with all potential issues or errors.

Customer satisfaction

A fully functional vacuum system ensures seamless production processes and customer satisfaction. Premium customer service provides process reliability and planning security. A tailor-made vacuum system solution is sustainable and will also continue to adapt to future process requirements.

Energy-Efficient Packaging and Processing Solutions from Busch Vacuum Solutions

Busch (UK) Ltd — 08/09/2023

Reducing energy consumption is a top priority for most businesses in the UK. At the upcoming PPMA Show, taking place from September 26 - 28 at the NEC in Birmingham, Busch will highlight its innovative vacuum solutions, designed for improving the energy efficiency of packaging and processing applications in various sectors, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and contract packaging.

Visitors can discover the many benefits that central vacuum systems can bring to vacuum processes. In addition to reduced maintenance and a better working environment, huge energy savings of up to 70% can be achieved by centralising the vacuum supply.

24/7 remote monitoring of individual vacuum pumps, or the entire central vacuum system, is possible with OTTO digital services, the award-winning condition monitoring solution from Busch. In combination with attractive service packages, OTTO can achieve reduced production costs, higher energy efficiency and less downtime.

Busch uniquely combines local service, application experience and vacuum expertise to develop tailored solutions that meet the customers’ specific process needs and business objectives. At the heart of each solution is the proprietary vacuum technology; Busch provides the broadest range of vacuum technologies on the market and will be exhibiting a selection of its highly efficient vacuum pumps at its booth at the PPMA Show.

Busch will display its latest generation of oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps, the R5 RA 0520 A, which is up to 25% more energy-efficient than comparable rotary vane vacuum pumps. R5 vacuum pumps are the high-performance choice for processing and packaging applications, with over 3 million R5 vacuum pumps in operation globally.

A highly efficient dry vacuum solution will also feature on the booth. The MINK MV dry claw vacuum pump, with its sophisticated design, can reduce overall operating costs by up to 50% in comparison to conventional vacuum generation. In addition to exceptionally high efficiency levels, the contact-free operating principle provides the benefit of almost maintenance-free operation.

Visitors can also learn about DOLPHIN liquid ring vacuum pumps, the perfect solution for demanding applications across a variety of sectors.

A wide range of R5, MINK and DOLPHIN vacuum pumps are available with an integrated ECOTORQUE variable speed drive (VSD) from Busch. VSDs enable the pumping speed of vacuum pumps to adapt to the actual process requirements, resulting in significant energy savings, lower CO₂ emissions, and reduced maintenance costs.

Busch offers its booth visitors a complimentary VacuumAudit. Through VacuumAudits, Busch vacuum specialists analyse the entire vacuum application, evaluate the vacuum technology in terms of process reliability and efficiency, and make tailored recommendations for optimisation based on the findings.

Visit Busch Vacuum Solutions at the PPMA Show in Hall 5, booth F26. For more information click here.

Busch at SPE Offshore Europe 2017

Busch (UK) Ltd — 02/08/2017

50 Years of Vacuum Solutions for the Oil and Gas Industry.

With 50 years of experience within the varied vacuum applications of the oil and gas industry, Busch offers proven solutions which can be tailored to exact customer requirements. At SPE Offshore Europe in Aberdeen Busch is presenting the Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pump. These are perfectly suited for use in demanding processes.

A wide range of processes require tailored, reliable vacuum technology. That is why vacuum technology is an important component in the production and processing of oil and gas.

Busch has specialized in applications for the oil and gas industry, and can draw from a large product portfolio of various types of vacuum technology when designing vacuum systems.

In addition to Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps, COBRA dry screw vacuum pumps or powerful Tyr rotary lobe blowers can also be used in such vacuum systems.

Busch vacuum pump systems are installed across the globe in all areas of oil and gas exploration, extraction, refinement and distribution. In VOC vapour recovery Buschs custom built vacuum systems are designed to recover vapour as well as providing benefits such as the reduction of environmentally hazardous substance discharge, while also minimising significant loss of potentially valuable energy represented by the evaporation of oil. Tailor made to meet the specific needs of each customer, Busch vacuum systems also increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the crude oil distillation processes.

Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps in combination with air ejectors provide a highly effective solution when specified and installed in the Seawater de-aeration application, achieving levels of less than 50 ppb of oxygen present in seawater. Dolphin liquid ring compressors are frequently used to reduce emissions and generate cost savings as part of the flare gas and vent gas recovery process. And Dolphin liquid ring vacuum pumps are used in the gas boosting application to boost the gas pressure up to 2 bar above atmospheric, enabling the gas to be delivered to a high pressure pipeline.

To ensure that using MEG is a cost effective solution for hydrate inhibition, it is recovered, regenerated and re-used via vacuum technology from Busch. Busch can also provide vacuum and overpressure solutions for other associated applications such as mud transfer and drying, filtration, air scour, accommodation central vacuum systems and cargo oil pump priming.

Buschs manufacturing plants and systems building centres all comply with ISO 9001 to ensure that products and services are of the highest quality possible. In addition, Busch offer performance and fully functional testing, as well as having the capability to build systems for use in different locations which will comply with any local content requirements and to suit specific project demands.

Furthermore, Busch operates a global service network to install commission and maintain vacuum systems. The Busch service team has all the necessary certifications and specially trained staff to maintain all vacuum systems on oil and gas rigs, including any sensitive areas of activity. With local service centres in more than sixty countries, Busch provide a quick response service to all installed systems worldwide. The Busch service team has all the necessary certifications and specially trained staff to maintain all vacuum systems on oil and gas rigs, including any sensitive areas of activity.

Visit the Busch trade show booth in hall 2, stand 2A84.

Vacuum technology enables optimum cooling of Corona vaccines

Busch (UK) Ltd — 16/04/2021

The first approvals for Corona vaccines were granted late last year. Worldwide, vaccination of people against the virus began. Currently, 552 million people all over the world have already been vaccinated (source: www.ourworldindata.org, figures as of March 28, 2021). Vacuum technology is also needed to produce and transport the vaccines. Cooling the vaccines, for example, plays an essential role in global distribution. A customer of Busch Vacuum Solutions manufactures special vaccine refrigerators and temperature-controlled transport boxes for vaccines. And is thus making an important contribution to the global fight against the pandemic.

In contrast to conventional vaccines, the logistics of Corona vaccines present a whole new challenge. The first approved vaccine comes from the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech and its American partner company Pfizer. To cool this vaccine, conventional refrigerators, such as those used for flu vaccines, are not sufficient. The Corona vaccine must be stored and transported at minus 70 degrees Celsius. So that it retains its full effectiveness.

In building the special refrigeration units, the Belgian company relies entirely on vacuum technology from Busch Vacuum Solutions. Vacuum is used to fill the cooling circuits of the refrigeration units with special gases. Due to the worldwide pandemic, the demand for these cooling units has risen sharply in recent months, and Busch was able to meet the expanded requirements by supplying additional vacuum pumps. These cooling units and transport equipment are sold worldwide and are used in the distribution of the vaccine around the globe. An essential product to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine reaches vaccination centres intact and patients worldwide can receive the much-needed vaccination.

Click here to find out more about Busch Vacuum Systems

Saving Energy with Sustainable Vacuum Solutions

Busch (UK) Ltd — 17/03/2023

Busch Vacuum Solutions has now launched the first vacuum pump of the new DX series on the market, the COBRA DX 0950 A. It is a dry vacuum pump with state-of-the-art screw vacuum technology for excellent running characteristics, high vapour and particle tolerance, and extremely energy-efficient operation.

The high-performance COBRA DX 0950 A is perfectly suited for many rough and medium vacuum applications, such as the solar industry, lithium battery production, drying, food packaging, coating, vacuum furnaces, or as the heart of a central vacuum system.

With variable speed drive technology, the new COBRA DX 0950 A covers the pumping speed range up to 950 m³/h and achieves an ultimate pressure of up to 0.01hPa (mbar). All operating data is constantly recorded and saved.

Thanks to its plug-and-pump concept, COBRA DX 0950 A is user-friendly and easy to handle. No further installation is required before start-up. A touchscreen with

intuitive menu navigation allows the control of the most important functions. An optimal vacuum level can be achieved at all times thanks to the intelligent driving unit with variable speed control and various operating modes. This reduces energy consumption and ensures that the vacuum pumps always run under optimum conditions, thus keeping operating costs to a minimum.

With the main benefits of the well-proven COBRA NX PLUS, COBRA DX 0950 A takes up less space due to its optimised footprint. Therefore, it is the perfect compromise between the standard COBRA NX and the advanced COBRA NX PLUS versions. In addition, the patented self-balancing screw design of COBRA DX 0950 A ensures the lowest vibration levels and quiet operation. The screws are made of one single casting and have no gaps. This prevents the ingress of process fluids or particles, as well as corrosion and deposits. COBRA DX 0950 A uses efficient water cooling, which ensures uniform temperature distribution throughout the pump body and thermal stability throughout the process.

The COBRA DX 0950 A is based on proven Busch screw vacuum technology. The clean operating principle means neither oil nor other operating fluids are necessary during vacuum generation. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for applications where contact between the operating fluid and pumped medium is to be avoided, or clean room conditions must be met.

Further sizes of the COBRA DX are expected shortly.

Busch Is Once Again World Market Leader in 2024

Busch (UK) Ltd — 29/11/2023

The famous German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche recognized Busch Vacuum Solutions as World Market Leader 2024.