Choosing between using individual vacuum pumps at each machine (a point-of-use approach) or centralizing your vacuum supply with a dedicated system can be a significant decision for laboratory or industrial site operators.
This article explores the key differences between these options, comparing their installation and ongoing operational costs, and discusses which is better suited for laboratory and industrial applications.
COMPARING SETUPS: POINT-OF-USE VS. CENTRALIZED VACUUM SYSTEMS
There are two main approaches to delivering vacuum across a facility: point-of-use pumps and centralized vacuum systems. Each method offers distinct advantages and challenges depending on your application, facility layout, and operational needs.
POINT-OF-USE PUMPS SETUP
Point-of-use pumps involve a single vacuum pump closely integrated into OEM equipment or paired directly with a specific process or workstation. This setup is common in both industrial and laboratory environments, especially where flexibility or limited space is a concern. These systems are often included in the cost of equipment, helping reduce upfront expenses. They also offer precise control at the point of use and are ideal when equipment is distributed across large areas or when vacuum demands vary between processes.
However, as your operation scales, managing multiple point-of-use pumps can become inefficient. Over time, having dozens of separate pumps may actually increase your facility’s heat and noise levels and consume more space than a centralized system would. Maintenance also becomes more frequent and fragmented, driving up labor and service costs.
CENTRALIZED VACUUM SYSTEMS
Centralized vacuum systems connect multiple use points to a central pump system via a facility-wide piping network. While centralized systems typically require a higher upfront investment and dedicated space for installation, they can serve an entire facility with fewer pumps. This leads to lower maintenance demands, reduced noise and heat in production areas, and higher energy efficiency, particularly when variable frequency drives (VFDs) and redundant pumps are built into the system.
On the downside, centralized systems require planning and infrastructure. Installing piping throughout the facility can be complex, and the system may be less flexible if different equipment types need highly variable vacuum levels. Still, for many larger labs and industrial operations, the long-term ROI, reliability, and control that centralized systems offer far outweigh the initial setup effort.
The following table summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of both point-of-use and centralized vacuum systems.
| Point-of-Use vs. Centralized Vacuum Systems | ||
| System | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Point-of-Use Pump Setup | – Lower initial purchase cost – Supplied with OEM equipment – Can often be integrated into workspace/OEM equipment – More precise control over vacuum level at the process/application | – May not be the most efficient option – Heat and noise near employees – More intensive maintenance as number of units increases |
| Centralized | – Better efficiency – Central location minimizes areas impacted by heat and noise the system generates – Lower maintenance costs with fewer pumps – Redundancy allows maintenance to be done without shutting down production | – More expensive initial investment – Can require extensive pipework – Requires its own dedicated floor space |
APPLICATION TYPES: LABORATORY VS. INDUSTRIAL
Applications for centralized and point-of-use vacuum systems fall into two broad categories, industrial and laboratory use.
LABORATORY VACUUM SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS
Laboratory use refers to the specific on-demand vacuum services needed by scientific laboratories involved in academic research, corporate R&D, and teaching. Requirements here are relatively standard, but flow needs to be constant and consistent to avoid delaying or disrupting important teaching or research work.
Laboratory systems can feature tens or even hundreds of use points. They’re normally purpose-designed from scratch and feature a large centralized vacuum pump setup.
INDUSTRIAL VACUUM SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS
Industrial use, on the other hand, involves a wide range of applications from ventilation to robotic fixing or “pick and place” operations. Many smaller workshops tend to take a piecemeal approach to their vacuum needs, meaning vacuum is provided as and where it is needed using point-of-use pumps usually embedded in specialized OEM equipment.
Larger factories or processing facilities might feature built-in centralized vacuum units, but, again, the sheer variety of applications may make it difficult to design a single system that serves the varying needs of a complex production or fabrication facility.
To decide which system is best, consider two key factors in vacuum system design: scale and budget.
SCALE
If you’re a small industrial facility with only a couple of point-of-use pumps, it usually does not make sense to centralize. However, if you have many individual pumps scattered throughout a larger production plant, it might be a good option to explore.
You should consider:
- How many machines in total use vacuum?
- Do those machines have similar vacuum requirements?
- How frequently are those machines running?
If you have a couple of processes that require vacuum or if these vacuum processes are only needed some of the time, it likely doesn’t make sense to move to a central system.
If your facility relies heavily on vacuum for multiple processes or operates a large amount of vacuum-dependent equipment that runs continuously or is critical to your manufacturing process, a centralized system may be worth considering.
If you’re a laboratory with 5-10 use points, you might be able to run these using a small point-of-use assembly with additional piping. Any more and you will almost certainly need a dedicated centralized vacuum system.
BUDGET
Whether you’re buying additional point-of-use pumps for a workshop or looking to install a centralized vacuum system in a laboratory or factory, your focus should be on the long-term return on investment, rather than just the sticker price of equipment.
Consider the energy costs, efficiency, maintenance, and potential downtime that are associated with each option. Depending on your unique facility, the ROI may be better for a more expensive central system than a handful of less expensive individual pumps or vice versa.
WHICH VACUUM SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Deciding between point-of-use pumps and centralized vacuum systems comes down to your facility’s scale, operational needs, and long-term priorities. While larger manufacturing and laboratory operations often benefit from centralized systems with higher efficiency and built-in redundancy, many smaller or highly specialized facilities find that point-of-use pumps offer the right mix of flexibility, control, and affordability.
Every facility is different, and selecting the right solution means considering installation costs, energy use, maintenance requirements, and how critical vacuum is to your processes. Becker Pumps has the expertise to help you evaluate these factors and choose the setup that delivers the best performance and ROI for your operation.
BECKER PUMPS: RIGHT SYSTEM, RIGHT SIZE
Becker Pumps has been making quality vacuum pump systems of all types for more than 140 years. In that time, we’ve built a reputation as an industry leader, delivering effective, tailored solutions for both large and small installations.
At Becker, we understand the challenges of scaling your business right. That’s why we make pumps for all types of vacuum requirements, as well as a range of specialist multi-pump systems designed to power both industrial and laboratory facilities.
Bring us your vacuum system challenges. Whether you’re outfitting a small engineering shop with 4-5 use points or a laboratory with dozens of workstations, our experts are here to help you select the right pump technology and scale it to your facility for maximum efficiency and ROI.Contact us today, or click below to learn more about our industry-leading vacuum solutions.
