Cologne, January 2020 – Vacuum technology specialist, Leybold, has developedtwo new online tools to assist customer’s pump choice and layout of completevacuum systems: The Pump Finder and the calculation tool LEYCALC. With thesenew web-based tools, users can select and build their vacuum solutions online.
They are designed to be used for two different use cases: The homepagehttps://calc.leybold.com/en/lp leads to both the Pump Finder and LEYCALC, thevacuum system calculation tool. Users with vacuum know-how can use LEYCALCto calculate the behavior and performance of vacuum systems in detail. ThePump Finder guides even beginners to suitable products by a questionnaire.Step by step to the right offer
The Pump Finder is designed to navigate vacuum users step-by-step to find the ideal pump fortheir application. Throughout the selection tool, pumps can be refined by entering values forchamber size, target pressure and pipe dimensions. There are two calculation options formodelling different vacuum applications: process flow and vacuum chamber pump down. Aprocess gas flow is a continuous gas flow where the constant pressure is conveyed. A vacuumchamber pump down is an application where the chamber is pumped/evacuated to a specifictarget pressure. The result is a selection of vacuum pumps that meet the customer'srequirements.
Targeted product selection
LEYCALC can be used for detailed engineering of vacuum systems using the same powerfulalgorithms as Leybold’s application experts. The tool allows customers to calculate their vacuumsystems fully independently and for complex scenarios, the experts offer their full support."Previously, we had to adjust parameters such as chamber size, process gases, cycle times,pipe length and pressure values during the initial contact with the customer. With the help of thesimulation software, the user can independently calculate configurations and get an initial ideaof the vacuum performance," explains Dr. Tom Kammermeier, Global Application Manager,Industrial Vacuum. "In the past, there were often lengthy dialogues about such details," saysKammermeier. Now users can perform their calculations independently – with the result that theentire process leads to a more targeted and faster selection of the right solutions for theapplication. "We expect LEYCALC to improve the contact quality with our customers,"summarizes Kammermeier.
Efficient communication and fast solutions
Once the user of the online tool has defined the pump’s chamber and the target pressure,LEYCALC performs the calculation of a pump down curve: The result is immediately displayedin a diagram. This shows exactly how long it takes to pump the air out of the chamber to adefined pressure and how the pressure develops over time. Alternatively, the user can calculatethe pumping speed curve of a pump system. This shows which pumping speed is provided at acertain pressure. All calculation data is stored centrally and can be called up at any time andfrom any device by customers who have registered. Calculation results can also be shared withspecialists at Leybold. This allows a detailed discussion about the respective vacuumapplication. Overall, the platform leads to considerably more efficient customer communicationand faster solutions in complex projects. Leybold’s vacuum experts will be happy to answer anyquestions regarding specific calculations in a timely fashion.
Conductivity losses immediately apparent
"In addition to the chambers and pumps of a vacuum system, the different influences ofpipelines are also taken into account. These include the conductance effects in all pressureranges and flow regimes, blocking and, of course, the volume of the lines," explains HannesKamecke, the IT manager responsible for the online configurator. In some cases, it thenbecomes apparent that a pump with higher individual performance would not improve theoverall vacuum performance because the reductions are caused by an incorrectly dimensionedpipeline. "However, the diagram immediately shows that the pipe diameter needs to beincreased," explains Hannes Kamecke.
Further development planned
Navigation through the web-based software solution is conveniently possible on all kind ofdevices like tablets, smartphones. Sections in need of explanation are linked to more detailedbackground information on vacuum technique. In future, LEYCALC will comprise the wholeLeybold product portfolio, covering also high vacuum applications. "With the publication of thenew calculation tools, Leybold makes its vacuum know-how collected over decades available toits customers and thus lays the foundation for modern digital customer communication. Theoffer thus represents an important building block in the digital customer experience strategy ofthe vacuum specialist," concludes Hannes Kamecke.
About Leybold
Leybold is a part of the Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Technique business area and offers a broad range ofadvanced vacuum solutions for use in manufacturing and analytical processes, as well as for researchpurposes. The core capabilities centre on the development of application- and customer-specific systemsfor the creation of vacuums and extraction of processing gases. Fields of application are secondarymetallurgy, heat treatment, automotive industry, coating technologies, solar and thin films such asdisplays, research & development, analytical instruments, food & packaging, as well as a multitude ofother classic industrial processes.
About Atlas Copco
Great ideas accelerate innovation. At Atlas Copco, we have been turning industrial ideas into businesscriticalbenefits since 1873. By listening to our customers and knowing their needs, we deliver value andinnovate with the future in mind. Atlas Copco is based in Stockholm, Sweden with customers in morethan 180 countries and about 37 000 employees. Revenues of BSEK 95/ 9 BEUR in 2018.
For more information: www.atlascopcogroup.com
