Maintenance of Vacuum Pumps in Vacuum Sintering Furnaces
Pump Oil Cleaning:
The pump oil in a vacuum sintering furnace degrades with operation. Its contamination and viscosity should be checked via the oil sight glass, and the oil must be replaced in time. The recommended oil replacement cycle is every six months.
Steps to Replace Pump Oil:
- Open the pump’s intake pipe and run it for 5 seconds to remove residual oil.
- Remove the exhaust pipe, open the oil drain valve, and drain the old oil.
- Close the oil drain valve and fill the pump with new vacuum pump oil through the filling port.
- If the oil is heavily contaminated, add some new oil and run the pump for several minutes to clean it. Repeat if necessary.
- After refilling, run the pump and check the vacuum limit pressure once the furnace temperature rises.
- Clean the filter screen during maintenance.
Precautions During Operation
A. Vacuum pumps generate high temperatures (40–80°C) during long operation. Do not touch the pump or motor surfaces until they cool to a safe temperature after operation.
B. In case of an emergency during operation, immediately turn off the main power before maintenance.
C. If any abnormal condition occurs, stop the furnace immediately. Do not continue operating under fault conditions.
D. Non-maintenance personnel are strictly prohibited from disassembling pump components.
E. Store rags, scrap cloth, and other maintenance materials in designated areas to prevent foreign objects from entering the pump.
These maintenance routines and precautions ensure the vacuum pump’s longevity, stable operation, and furnace performance.