From small-scale experiments to
large industrial production lines, vacuum pump failure can force your project into downtime — leading to missed deadlines and revenue
loss. For many organisations, sourcing an onsite or offsite backup pump is crucial to safeguarding projects.
Here, we explore whether your project would benefit from keeping spare vacuum pumps. Let’s begin by looking at having an onsite
backup.
Should you have an onsite backup vacuum pump?
Having an onsite spare enables you to quickly replace the malfunctioning pump with your backup with little downtime.
But when stored pumps aren’t properly maintained, they often don’t perform optimally. For example, some pumps need to be manually rotated to
keep bearings lubricated. And by sitting on shelves for long periods, there’s the risk that spare pumps or parts become contaminated with
dirt.
These issues may not impact systems that cycle through pumps at such a high turnover that spare pumps rarely require maintenance. For most
organisations, preventative maintenance is critical to keeping your onsite vacuum pumps in good working order.
Benefits to having offsite spare vacuum pumps
Vacuum pump suppliers often hold a supply of commonly-used pumps which they deliver within 24–48 hours. While relying on offsite vendors
isn’t as quick as having a spare on hand, this option eliminates the need to consistently maintain backup pumps.
However, your supplier may not have the model you need in stock and you still experience downtime as you wait for your pump to be delivered.
To minimize downtime, many suppliers can hold a specific set of spares aside for you, with a guarantee of it being in stock when you need
it. This service usually incurs a small monthly holding fee.
The upside of this approach is that you do not have to pay for a spare pump until you need it, but the downside is that you have to wait for
some time to have the pump delivered to you.
The right decision for your project...
The context of your project should guide your decision to get an onsite or offsite backup pump. If you have the capacity to maintain
your spares or your project has a low tolerance for downtime, then consider sourcing an onsite vacuum pump. But if you don’t have the
resources to maintain backups, then your vendor may offer a backup solution.
Of course, you have the option of not organising any backup pumps. Not sourcing a backup may lead to weeks of downtime as you wait for your
pump to be repaired. For many organisations, this is an untenable situation that limits project success.
Sourcing a backup pump is one of many key steps in maintaining a safe and reliable vacuum system. We’ve written a free ebook to help
organisations reduce project downtime by optimising vacuum system performance. In it, we share insights on:
The causes of slow evacuation time
How to increase ultimate pressure of the vacuum pump
How to deal with troublesome vacuum pumps and gauges
How to deal with ambient conditions such as temperature, magnetic fields and ionizing radiation
Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
Air compressors use considerable volumes of energy during a typical work cycle. When you add up all the expenses of operating a facility,
any savings can help you boost your bottom line.
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If you have never bought a rotary screw air compressor before; do the following. Add up the air consumption of all the equipment at your
shop. That will be the amount of air your desired compressor should provide.
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Knowing the telltale signs of wear and tear, understanding your product’s specifications and usability guidelines, and knowing when it’s
prudent to call in repairs are skills that could save you a lot of time, effort, and money in the long term.
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