Vacuum and Negative Pressure Module Cooling Solutions -- DC Fans | Herays
Application Solution

Vacuum and Negative Pressure Module

Pressure-capable blower airflow for suction and compact vacuum modules

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Problem Space

Industry Challenges

Understanding the specific thermal and environmental demands of Vacuum and Negative Pressure Module environments is the foundation of every Herays solution.

Vacuum and negative pressure systems in industrial and laboratory applications — pick-and-place suction systems, vacuum hold-down fixtures, pneumatic conveying suction lines, laboratory aspirators, and small vacuum pumps — use centrifugal blowers operated in reverse (drawing air in rather than blowing it out) to generate the negative pressure (below atmospheric) that enables suction and holding force. These applications impose distinct requirements on blower selection: the machine must generate adequate vacuum depth without cavitation stall, maintain that vacuum stably at variable load, and do so continuously without the thermal issues that can arise when a blower runs sealed against high back-pressure.

  • Negative pressure generation: 5–80 kPa below atmospheric — pick-and-place suction cups typically require 30–60 kPa vacuum for reliable part holding. Laboratory aspirators may need 70–80 kPa. Standard centrifugal blowers can achieve 5–20 kPa in single-stage configuration; higher vacuum depths require multi-stage or positive displacement designs.
  • Stable vacuum under variable port loading — vacuum systems are rarely at constant load: suction cups grip and release, conveying lines cycle, and multiple pick points operate independently. The blower must maintain target vacuum depth as connected loads cycle on and off without pressure hunting or stall.
  • Thermal management at high back-pressure — centrifugal blowers running against significant back-pressure convert more drive energy to heat than when running near free flow. The motor must be rated for the actual power dissipation at the maximum operating restriction point, not at free-delivery airflow.
  • Clean airflow for semiconductor and optical handling — pick-and-place systems in semiconductor assembly and optical component handling require particle-free vacuum — no bearing lubricant vapor, no brush debris, no contamination from the blower motor. BLDC motors with sealed bearings are mandatory for these applications.
  • 24V DC for integration with machine control systems — industrial pick-and-place and manufacturing vacuum systems operate from 24V control power, consistent with the industrial automation standard.

Herays centrifugal BLDC blowers in vacuum (suction) configuration provide negative pressure generation for pick-and-place, vacuum hold-down, and industrial suction applications, with 24V DC operation and sealed BLDC motors for particle-free performance.

Specifications for vacuum blower module evaluation:

  • Topology: Centrifugal BLDC, operated in suction configuration
  • Voltage: 12V or 24V DC
  • Achievable vacuum depth: 5–20 kPa below atmospheric (single stage); deeper vacuum available with multi-stage or positive displacement designs on request
  • Flow rate at working vacuum: 5–50 L/min depending on blower size
  • Motor: BLDC, sealed ball bearing, zero particle generation
  • Speed control: PWM for variable vacuum depth control

Contact Herays with your required vacuum depth, flow rate at working vacuum, and allowable hold-time (important for leak-rate driven system sizing) for specific vacuum blower recommendations.

What is the difference between a centrifugal blower and a vacuum pump for pick-and-place suction? Centrifugal blowers generate vacuum by centrifugal acceleration of air at the inlet; they are simple, inexpensive, and compact but limited in vacuum depth (typically 20–30 kPa maximum). Positive displacement vacuum pumps (diaphragm, piston, or rotary vane) can achieve deeper vacuum (80+ kPa) but are louder, heavier, and require maintenance. For most SMT pick-and-place and PCB handling applications, a centrifugal blower providing 30–50 kPa vacuum is entirely adequate and is the preferred design choice on grounds of simplicity and reliability.

How do I size a vacuum blower for a multi-head pick-and-place machine? The total flow requirement is the sum of all open suction ports at any given instant (typically 10–30% of total heads are placing simultaneously, so the rest have vacuum held at zero flow). Calculate the blower capacity at your working vacuum depth for the maximum simultaneous open-port scenario, then add 25% margin for suction cup wear and fitting leakage over the machine lifetime. Size up to maintain vacuum depth within ±5 kPa across this load variation.

Can a vacuum blower run continuously at maximum restriction without overheating? At maximum restriction (sealed delivery), a centrifugal blower converts all its drive power to heat with no airflow to carry it away — the motor and blower housing heat rapidly. Centrifugal blowers for vacuum service must be sized so that normal operating vacuum depth corresponds to 60–80% of maximum restriction, not 100%. Alternatively, use a bypass flow circuit that allows a small continuous airflow to cool the motor even when suction ports are all sealed.

Contact Herays to discuss vacuum blower modules for pick-and-place, conveying, and industrial suction applications, including custom outlet configurations and controller integration.

Herays Approach

Our Solution

Precision-engineered DC fan technologies tailored to the performance and reliability requirements of Vacuum and Negative Pressure Module applications.

Why Herays

Key Features for Vacuum and Negative Pressure Module

Suction airflow

Blower choices for negative-pressure and compact vacuum paths.

Filter resistance support

Pressure-capable options for filters, ducts, and small chambers.

Device customization

Voltage, connector, cable, label, and batch customization.

Application Engineering

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