Vacuum pump EDWARDS EPX180 Dry pump

Technology

The EPX pump system operates at pressures between atmospheric and ultimate vacuum, with no lubricating or sealing fluid in the pumping chamber. This ensures a clean pumping system without back-migration of oil or fluid into the system being evacuated.

The stator of the pump and the enclosed motor are cooled by an integrated water cooling circuit. The EPX pump is therefore suitable for applications in cleanroom environments where fan cooling is unacceptable. The cooling water supply and return pipelines are connected to the pump by water connectors (customer specified). Cooling water must be provided commensurate with environmental conditions (humidity and temperature) such that the dewpoint is not reached.

The pump incorporates an EMC supply filter and an inverter drive, which provides and controls the electrical supply to the pump-motor. LEDs on the front cover identify the status of the EPX pump. Motor speed depends on the pressure at the pump inlet. When the pump is started with the inlet pressure at or close to atmospheric pressure, the motor accelerates to a speed which is limited by the current which can be supplied by the inverter drive. As the pressure at the inlet is reduced, the motor speed increases, until it eventually reaches its preset maximum speed. If the pressure at the inlet increases, the motor will slow down again.

The EPX L series of pumps cannot be manually operated; they must be controlled and monitored by external control equipment, which must be connected to the EPX pump through the Tool Interface Module (TIM).

The EPX pump is supported by four vibration isolators.

Pump protection sensors automatically shut down the pump if a fault condition arises.

Applications

The EPX series covers a broad range of applications from wafer handling through to medium duty processes.

The EPX ‘L’ Series has been designed for use clean duty applications pumping inert gas mixtures, such as loadlock, whereby control is provided by the process tool interface.

Features and Benefits

• Compact footprint – the EPX is more compact than the equivalent turbomolecular pump and primary pump combination.
• Low cost of ownership – zero routine maintenance with a 5 year service interval.
• Unique patent protected pumping mechanism – the EPX can pump down from atmosphere to turbomolecular base pressure and can operate continuously at all inlet pressures. No separate “rough pumping” required.
• Ultra clean mechanism – EPX pumps have no grease or oil under vacuum and present no other source of potential contamination.
• Extremely reliable – based on field proven IPX technology, the EPX has a MTBFp = 13 years (SEMI E10) with service periods of around every 5 years to maximize the life of the pump.
• Water cooled – low environmental heat load
• Low noise and vibration – better working environment. Ideal for vibration sensitive environments.

SPECIFICATIONS