Claw vacuum pumps are one of the latest technologies within industrial vacuum pump and pressure pump systems. They are designed to provide reliable performance, high efficiency and low maintenance operation for demanding industrial applications.
At VacAir Superstore we supply, service and support claw pumps from leading manufacturers including Busch, DVP and other major industrial vacuum pump brands. Our technical sales team can help identify the correct claw pump for new installations, system upgrades or direct replacements.
Typical industries using claw pump technology include woodworking, printing, cardboard box manufacture, sewage treatment, pneumatic conveying and many other industrial sectors.
Modern industrial claw vacuum pumps are widely used where oil-free operation, low maintenance and long continuous running hours are critical. Their contactless internal design makes them ideal for demanding industrial environments requiring reliable vacuum generation with reduced servicing costs and improved energy efficiency.
What Are Claw Vacuum Pumps?
Claw pumps use two claw-shaped rotors which rotate in a synchronised manner inside a specially moulded cylinder body. The rotors operate with extremely fine tolerances but do not physically touch each other or the cylinder wall.
Because the claw rotors are contactless, there is no need for lubrication inside the pumping chamber. This allows claw pumps to operate cleanly, efficiently and with significantly reduced maintenance requirements compared with many traditional vacuum pump technologies.
The contactless design also means there is very little internal wear during normal operation, giving claw pumps a long operating life when correctly specified, installed and maintained.
Claw pumps are available for both vacuum and pressure applications and are commonly used where energy efficiency, low maintenance and continuous industrial operation are important.
Unlike oil lubricated rotary vane pumps, claw pumps do not rely on oil inside the pumping chamber to create the seal. Unlike dry running rotary vane pumps, they do not use carbon vanes sliding against the cylinder wall. The claw rotors are contactless, which reduces wear and helps extend the service life of the pump. As a result the ongoing service costs are drastically reduced in comparison.
This makes claw technology particularly useful for applications where the pump may run for long periods, where maintenance access is limited, or where businesses want to reduce routine service requirements.
Common Applications For Oil Free Claw Pumps
Claw pump technology is now widely used across many industrial sectors due to its reliability, low running costs and suitability for continuous operation.
Depending on the model and application, claw pumps are commonly used for medium vacuum applications typically operating around 150 mbar, whilst also delivering high flow rates and efficient continuous operation.
- CNC woodworking vacuum hold down systems
- Printing and print finishing equipment
- Cardboard box manufacturing machinery
- Sewage treatment and aeration systems
- Pneumatic conveying systems
- Centralised vacuum systems
- Industrial lifting and handling systems
- Plastic and thermoforming machinery
- Packaging machinery
- Pick and place automation systems
Many of these industries operate machinery continuously for long production shifts, making the low maintenance design of claw pumps highly attractive.
Advantages Of Claw Pump Technology
- Very low maintenance requirements
- Contactless rotor design
- No lubrication required inside the pumping chamber
- Long operational life
- Energy efficient operation
- Suitable for continuous industrial use
- Reduced internal wear
- Low operating costs
- Reliable vacuum and pressure performance
- Clean and dry operating principle
When Should You Consider A Claw Pump?
A claw pump may be a good option when a business wants a reliable industrial pump with reduced maintenance compared with older pump technologies.
They are often considered when replacing older dry running vane pumps, upgrading a centralised vacuum system, improving energy efficiency or specifying a pump for continuous production use.
If you are unsure whether a claw pump is the correct choice, VacAir Superstore can review the application and help compare claw technology against dry running rotary vane, oil lubricated rotary vane, side channel blower or other pump options.
Popular Claw Pump Brands & Models
VacAir Superstore supplies claw pumps from leading industrial manufacturers including Busch and DVP. The correct model will depend on the required flow, vacuum level, pressure duty, operating hours and application conditions.
DVP Claw Pumps
The DVP vacuum pump range includes modern claw pump systems designed for industrial vacuum and pressure applications.
DVP claw pumps are suitable for many industrial vacuum applications where clean, dry and efficient operation is required. With our sister company, Vacuum Pumps UK, we are the Master Agent for DVP for Sales and Servicing
DVP VB315 claw vacuum pump
- Max. Vacuum: 150 mbar Abs
- Flow: 315 m3/h
- Std Motor Size : 5.5 kW
Busch Claw Pumps
Busch claw pumps are widely used across industrial manufacturing and process industries. Busch MINK claw pumps are a common choice for central vacuum systems and heavy-duty industrial applications.
If you are replacing an existing Busch claw pump, VacAir Superstore can help identify a suitable equivalent or replacement option.
We are a specialist repair centre for Busch Claw Pumps
Busch MINK MM 1322 AV
- Max. Vacuum: 150 mbar Abs
- Flow: 300 m3/h
- Std Motor Size : 5.5 kW
Replacing An Existing Claw Pump
When replacing an existing claw vacuum pump or claw compressor, it can often be as simple as advising us of the data shown on the pump ID plate. The pump model, motor size, voltage, serial number and operating duty can all help us identify the correct replacement.
When specifying a claw pump for a new installation or an upgrade, our technical sales team can help identify the pump you require based on the process, duty cycle, required vacuum level, air flow, pipework and site conditions.
This is especially important when the pump is being used on production-critical machinery such as CNC routers, print finishing equipment, box making machinery, pneumatic conveying systems or wastewater treatment plant.
Need Help Specifying A Claw Pump?
Our technical sales team can help identify the correct claw pump for your application, whether you are replacing an existing pump or specifying a new vacuum or pressure system.
Call VacAir Superstore on 0113 208 8501 or email sales@vacair-superstore.com
Common Claw Pump Problems
Although claw pumps are extremely reliable, problems can still occur due to contamination, incorrect installation, blocked filters, process carry-over or lack of servicing.
- Reduced vacuum performance
- High operating temperatures
- Motor overload trips
- Contamination build-up
- Neglecting gear oil
- Synchronisation issues
- Bearing wear
- Excessive noise or vibration
- Blocked filters or pipework
- Poor installation or restricted ventilation
How VacAir Can Help
VacAir Superstore can assist with fault diagnosis, replacement pumps, servicing and repair as well as technical support for claw vacuum pumps and claw compressors.
- Replacement claw pumps
- Pump selection advice
- Fault diagnosis
- System upgrades
- Vacuum and pressure system advice
- Industrial application support
- Nationwide service support
- Alternative pump options where appropriate
Claw Pump Servicing & Support
Although maintenance is minimal, VacAir Superstore provides nationwide support for industrial claw pumps including replacement pumps, servicing assistance and technical advice.
Occasionally a claw pump can suffer a catastrophic failure, where the claws come into contact with each other, or have scored the pump end shield. We are one of the few companies who can make an effective repair of the claws, with skilled engineers capable of rebuilding claw pumps to the very fine tolerance required.
Our engineers and technical sales team have experience supporting industrial vacuum systems across woodworking, printing, packaging, manufacturing, wastewater, pneumatic conveying and process industries.
Whether you need a replacement DVP claw pump, a Busch claw pump alternative, a complete system upgrade or urgent support for a failed pump, VacAir Superstore can help.
Due to internal failure the claws have scored against the end housing of this claw pump. The claws and the body end housing needed refurbishing. At Vacair Superstore we can make this repair in our workshop.
Claw Pumps Vs Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps
Claw vacuum pumps and rotary vane vacuum pumps are both widely used throughout industry, however they operate using very different technologies and are often suited to different applications.
Claw pumps use a contactless operating principle where two claw-shaped rotors rotate in synchronisation without touching each other or the cylinder body. This gives extremely low wear rates, low maintenance requirements and high energy efficiency.
Traditional rotary vane vacuum pumps operate using sliding carbon vanes or lubricated vanes running against the internal cylinder wall. This technology is extremely well proven and is capable of producing deeper vacuum levels than many claw pump systems.
Dry running rotary vane pumps are often chosen for medium vacuum applications where simplicity and lower initial purchase cost are important. Oil lubricated rotary vane pumps are normally used where deeper vacuum levels are required.
Claw vacuum pumps are increasingly popular in modern industrial installations because of their oil-free operation, reduced servicing requirements and long operational life.
| Feature | Claw Vacuum Pumps | Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Principle | Contactless claw rotors | Sliding vanes within cylinder body |
| Lubrication In Pump Chamber | No | Dry or oil lubricated depending on model |
| Maintenance Requirements | Very low | Moderate |
| Vacuum Level Capability | Medium vacuum | Medium to deep vacuum |
| Internal Wear | Very low | Higher due to vane contact |
| Energy Efficiency | High | Good |
| Typical Applications | Woodworking, conveying, packaging, sewage treatment | Printing, CNC hold down, packaging, medical, laboratory |
VacAir Superstore supplies both claw vacuum pumps and rotary vane vacuum pumps, allowing our technical sales team to recommend the most suitable technology for your application, required vacuum level and operating conditions.
What is a claw vacuum pump?
A claw vacuum pump uses two claw-shaped rotors that rotate in a synchronised manner to generate vacuum or pressure. The rotors do not contact each other, which reduces wear and maintenance.
Are claw pumps oil-free?
Yes. Claw pumps do not require lubrication inside the pumping chamber, making them a clean and low-maintenance vacuum pump technology.
What are claw pumps used for?
Claw pumps are commonly used in woodworking, printing, packaging, pneumatic conveying, sewage treatment, thermoforming and many other industrial applications.
Are claw pumps energy efficient?
Yes. Claw vacuum pumps are generally considered highly energy efficient due to their contactless operating principle and low internal friction.
Why do claw pumps require less maintenance?
Because the internal claw rotors do not physically touch each other or the cylinder body, there is very little internal wear during normal operation. This gives claw pumps a long operational life with reduced servicing requirements.
Can claw pumps generate both vacuum and pressure?
Yes. Depending on the pump design and configuration, claw technology can be used for both vacuum and pressure applications.
Can VacAir Superstore repair a damaged claw pump?
Yes. If a claw pump has suffered a serious or catastrophic failure, VacAir Superstore can often refurbish the pump rather than simply replacing it. This can include resurfacing the end body, rebuilding damaged components and reassembling the pump to the very fine internal tolerances required for correct claw pump performance.
Trust VacAir Superstore for all your vacuum pump needs.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you save money and keep your operations running smoothly.