A vacuum pump removes gas from a sealed space to lower the pressure below atmospheric, and a vacuum system links one or more pumps with gauges, valves, and controls to deliver and hold that reduced pressure where a process needs it. Together, vacuum pumps and systems underpin an enormous span of laboratory and production work, from a single bench filtration flask to a plant-wide network feeding dozens of outlets.

Different processes call for very different vacuum levels, so the field covers everything from gentle rough-vacuum pumps for evaporation to high-vacuum pumps that reach near-space pressures for analytical instruments. Pharmaceutical, biotech, and laboratory teams depend on vacuum pumps and systems day in and day out. Those specifying the equipment range from lab managers kitting out prep areas to facilities engineers designing central vacuum and quality staff at contract manufacturers who require reliable, documented vacuum on regulated lines.

Machinery Masters gathers new and used vacuum pumps and systems from trusted sellers into one marketplace, with filters for pump technology, ultimate pressure, and pumping speed so you can match equipment to your application without wading through mismatched listings. The guide below explains the brand's leading vacuum technology, the main pump types and system formats, and the laboratory tasks that rely on them.

Vacuum Pumps & Systems Brands

The strongest vacuum pumps and systems come from dedicated vacuum-technology manufacturers whose equipment runs in research labs and production plants across the world. The brands below cover the full spread, from small oil-free bench pumps to high-vacuum turbo sets and complete pumping stations, and Machinery Masters holds listings from each so you can buy the make your facility already trusts.

Edwards
Leybold
Pfeiffer Vacuum
Busch
Agilent Technologies
KNF
VACUUBRAND
Welch (Gardner Denver)
ULVAC
Atlas Copco

Vacuum Pumps & Systems Product Types

Vacuum pumps and systems are grouped mainly by the technology that generates the vacuum and by the pressure range each reaches, so the right choice starts with the vacuum level and gas load your process demands. Consider whether you need oil-sealed or oil-free operation, the ultimate pressure required, and whether a single pump or an integrated system best suits the job.

Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps

Rotary vane vacuum pumps deliver deep rough and medium vacuum with an oil-sealed rotor-and-vane mechanism, making them a long-standing choice for evaporation, freeze-drying, and high-vacuum backing. They combine a low ultimate pressure with high pumping speed, and regular oil changes keep them dependable through years of heavy service.

Diaphragm Vacuum Pumps

Diaphragm vacuum pumps generate oil-free vacuum by flexing a chemically resistant membrane, so no oil can contaminate the process or the pump. This clean operation and low maintenance make diaphragm vacuum pumps the go-to for rotary evaporation, filtration, and any bench task where oil vapour would spoil the result.

Scroll Vacuum Pumps

Scroll vacuum pumps produce dry, oil-free vacuum using two interleaved spirals that sweep gas inward without any lubricant in the pumped volume. Labs choose scroll vacuum pumps when they want the deep vacuum of an oil pump without the oil, which suits clean processes and cuts the maintenance that oil handling adds.

Turbomolecular Pumps

Turbomolecular pumps reach very high and ultra-high vacuum by spinning bladed rotors at high speed to fling gas molecules toward the exhaust. Paired with a backing pump, they serve mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, and coating systems that need pressures far below what rough-vacuum pumps alone can reach.

Complete Vacuum Systems and Pumping Stations

Complete vacuum systems package the pump with gauges, valves, controllers, and sometimes multiple pumps into a ready-to-run unit or a central supply. These systems feed several benches or an entire suite from one source, hold a set pressure automatically, and simplify installation where many outlets need reliable vacuum at once.

Vacuum Pumps & Systems Applications and Uses

Vacuum pumps and systems reach into almost every corner of the laboratory, wherever removing air or lowering pressure drives a process forward. The equipment you need follows the vacuum level, the vapour or gas load, and the cleanliness the application requires.

Filtration, Degassing and Solvent Evaporation

Everyday lab work uses vacuum pumps to pull liquids through filters, strip dissolved gas from solvents, and evaporate solvents at reduced temperature on a rotary evaporator. Matching the pump's vacuum level to the task protects heat-sensitive samples and keeps filtration and degassing running smoothly.

Freeze Drying and Sample Concentration

Freeze dryers and centrifugal concentrators rely on deep vacuum to remove water by sublimation or evaporation, preserving pharmaceuticals, biologics, and delicate samples. The stable low pressure a well-matched vacuum pump holds is what allows these processes to finish with a dry, intact product.

High-Vacuum Analytical Instruments

Mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, and surface-analysis tools need high and ultra-high vacuum to work at all, and they combine a turbomolecular pump with a backing pump to reach it. Clean, stable vacuum keeps ion paths clear and signals sharp throughout long analytical runs.

Central and Networked Laboratory Vacuum

Busy laboratories install vacuum systems that supply many benches from a central vacuum pump or pumping station, replacing a clutter of individual units. A networked system holds consistent vacuum across every outlet, frees bench space, and lets facilities teams monitor and service the supply from one point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a vacuum pump?

A vacuum pump removes gas molecules from a sealed volume to reduce the pressure inside below normal atmospheric pressure. By lowering that pressure, it creates the vacuum that processes such as filtration, evaporation, freeze drying, and analytical instrumentation depend on. Vacuum pumps come in several technologies, each suited to a particular vacuum depth and duty, from simple bench models to high-vacuum systems.

How does a vacuum pump work?

A vacuum pump works by repeatedly trapping a volume of gas at the inlet, moving it across the pump, and expelling it at the outlet, so the pressure on the inlet side steadily falls. Different designs achieve this differently: rotary vane pumps use sliding vanes, diaphragm pumps flex a membrane, scroll pumps sweep gas between spirals, and turbomolecular pumps use high-speed blades. Whatever the mechanism, the result is the same: gas leaves the sealed space and vacuum builds.

What types of vacuum pump should I choose for my process?

Start with the vacuum level your process needs. Rough and medium vacuum for filtration, degassing, and evaporation suits rotary vane, diaphragm, or scroll pumps, while high-vacuum work on analytical instruments needs a turbomolecular pump with a backing pump. Then decide between oil-sealed pumps, which reach a low ultimate pressure, and oil-free pumps, such as diaphragm and scroll, which avoid any risk of oil contamination.

How do I select a vacuum pump for a GMP environment?

Confirm the ultimate pressure and pumping speed match your process and that the pump's materials suit the vapours it handles. For regulated work, verify that qualification support, spares, and service are available in your region, and consider oil-free technology where contamination control is critical. Discuss exhaust management, siting, and any validation documentation with the seller before you purchase.

Are used vacuum pumps a good buy?

A used vacuum pump can save a substantial amount if the seller is reputable, shares the service record, and confirms the pump still reaches its rated pressure. Test the ultimate pressure, inspect seals, and, on oil pumps, change the oil before use and check the wetted parts against your chemistry. Requalify any pump destined for a regulated process against your own performance targets before it goes into service.

Where can I buy vacuum pumps and systems on Machinery Masters?

Browse Machinery Masters for new and used vacuum pumps and systems listed by sellers verified across the globe, filtering by pump technology, ultimate pressure, pumping speed, and brand. Reach out to a seller for specifications, service records, and pricing, and confirm chemical compatibility and qualification support before you finalise your purchase.

Vacuum Pumps & Systems Product Types

Vacuum Pumps & Systems instruments and systems are available in multiple configurations suited to different scales, throughputs, and regulatory environments. Selecting the correct type ensures compatibility with your workflow, compliance requirements, and operational budget. Key differences between configurations relate to throughput capacity, degree of automation, physical footprint, and qualification documentation available from the manufacturer.

Benchtop Vacuum Pumps & Systems Systems

Benchtop configurations provide flexibility for standard laboratory environments and are well suited for research, development support, and small-scale QC testing. They typically require minimal infrastructure modifications and can be qualified using IQ, OQ, and PQ protocols supplied by the original manufacturer.

Automated Vacuum Pumps & Systems Platforms

Automated platforms reduce manual handling steps and improve reproducibility across high-volume vacuum pump & system workflows. They are deployed in pharmaceutical manufacturing and contract research organisations where throughput, data integrity, and audit trail compliance must be consistently maintained.

Portable Vacuum Pumps & Systems Instruments

Portable configurations allow Vacuum Pumps & Systems measurement or processing at the point of need within a facility or field environment. They support at-line process monitoring and sampling where transporting materials to a central laboratory would introduce unacceptable time delays.

GMP-Grade Vacuum Pumps & Systems Systems

GMP-grade systems are engineered for regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. They include comprehensive qualification documentation, FDA-compliant materials of construction, clean-in-place compatibility, and electronic audit trail functions required under current Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines in major regulated markets.

Integrated Vacuum Pumps & Systems Assemblies

Integrated configurations combine vacuum pump & system functionality with upstream or downstream processing modules to create complete workflow solutions for pharmaceutical lines and automated laboratories. They reduce manual transfers, lower contamination risk, and improve process traceability across complex manufacturing workflows.

Vacuum Pumps & Systems Applications and Uses

Vacuum Pumps & Systems equipment is deployed across pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical, and contract research settings at multiple stages of product development and manufacturing. Application requirements depend on the scale of operation, regulatory environment, and process sensitivity required for each workflow.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and QC

Vacuum Pumps & systems support pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control by verifying product specifications, maintaining batch consistency, and generating regulatory-compliant documentation. They are used in both batch and continuous manufacturing for in-process monitoring and final product release testing.

Biotech Research and Development

Biotechnology research teams deploy Vacuum Pumps & Systems equipment during early-stage process and compound development programs. Flexibility, ease of use, and scalability from laboratory to pilot and production scale are key selection criteria for R and D equipment procurement.

Clinical and Diagnostic Testing

Clinical laboratories rely on Vacuum Pumps & Systems instruments for accurate and timely testing that supports patient care decisions. Regulatory cleared or approved configurations, calibration traceability, and validated maintenance procedures are standard requirements in accredited clinical diagnostic settings.

Contract Research and Manufacturing

Contract research and manufacturing organisations deploy vacuum pump & system equipment across multiple client programmes with differing regulatory and technical requirements. Qualification capability, method validation flexibility, and cross-product compatibility make Vacuum Pumps & Systems instrument selection a critical operational consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider when selecting vacuum pump & system equipment for a GMP environment?

Key considerations include availability of IQ, OQ, and PQ qualification protocols from the manufacturer, software compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 or equivalent electronic records regulations, compatibility with your cleanroom classification and utilities, and availability of ongoing calibration and service support in your region. Confirm all requirements with the seller before making a purchase decision.

What is the difference between new and used vacuum pump & system equipment?

New equipment comes with a manufacturer warranty, current software versions, and full qualification support documentation. Used equipment offers significant cost savings and is appropriate when sourced from reputable sellers with documented service history and clear instrument provenance. Requalification against your specific requirements is necessary before deploying used instruments in regulated pharmaceutical or clinical environments.

How do I verify vacuum pump & system instrument compatibility with my existing laboratory systems?

Request full technical specifications from the seller, including interface protocols, software compatibility details, dimensional data, and utility requirements. Compare these against your existing equipment and facility capabilities. Arrange a site demonstration where possible to confirm operational fit before making a final purchase commitment.

What maintenance is typically required for vacuum pump & system equipment?

Routine maintenance for vacuum pump & system equipment generally includes scheduled calibration at defined intervals, consumable replacement according to manufacturer schedules, software updates, and periodic preventive maintenance by qualified service engineers. Confirm the maintenance schedule, spare parts availability, and service coverage with the seller as part of your procurement process.

How can I find vacuum pump & system equipment on Machinery Masters?

Browse the Machinery Masters platform for new and used vacuum pump & system equipment from verified sellers worldwide. Use the search and filter tools to narrow results by configuration, brand, and specification. Contact verified sellers directly to request qualification records, service history, and pricing information before making a final purchase decision.