ORAFOL Diffusion Pump Refurbishment Case Study

ORAFOL Customer Case Study: Refurbishing Three DIP 20000 Diffusion Pumps

Restoring reliable high-vacuum performance for an industrial metalizer

When vacuum equipment supports a production process, reliable performance depends on much more than repairing a single component. The pumps must be serviced correctly, reinstalled properly and evaluated as part of the complete vacuum system.

ORAFOL contacted Yeagle Technology Inc. to service three DIP 20000 oil diffusion pumps used on the company’s metalizer. YTI completed the diffusion pump refurbishment work, supported the pump reinstallation and performed leak detection testing on the system.

The project followed an earlier visit in which YTI repaired a Polycold unit serving the same vacuum chamber operation.

After the three diffusion pumps were returned to service, ORAFOL reported that the pumps were working well and praised YTI’s technical knowledge, communication, pricing and willingness to help the customer better understand its equipment.

“Thank you, the Diffusion Pumps are working great!”

Project at a glance

Customer: ORAFOL
Equipment: Three DIP 20000 oil diffusion pumps
Application: Industrial metalizer and vacuum chamber
Previous YTI work: Polycold unit repair
Primary service: Diffusion pump refurbishment
Additional work: Pump reinstallation support, system leak detection and findings report
Customer contact: Blanche Gorham, Process Engineer

The challenge

ORAFOL’s metalizer relies on its vacuum system to maintain the operating conditions required by the production process. The system includes multiple pieces of interconnected equipment, including the diffusion pumps and Polycold unit serving the vacuum chamber.

Three DIP 20000 diffusion pumps required professional service and refurbishment. ORAFOL needed a provider that could do more than work on the pumps in isolation. The selected company also needed to communicate clearly, support the equipment after reinstallation and help identify other conditions that could affect vacuum performance.

ORAFOL evaluated proposals from several service companies before selecting YTI.

According to Process Engineer Blanche Gorham, YTI provided the most reasonable pricing among the companies considered while also delivering the technical knowledge and support required for the project.

A relationship that began with Polycold service

The diffusion pump project was not ORAFOL’s first experience with YTI.

Several months earlier, YTI had repaired a Polycold unit used with ORAFOL’s vacuum chamber. That work gave YTI familiarity with the facility, application and supporting vacuum equipment before the diffusion pump refurbishment project began.

This continuity is valuable when servicing production vacuum systems. A pump, cryogenic unit, chamber, cooling circuit, control system or leak can affect the performance of the overall process. Having one technical partner familiar with multiple parts of the system can make troubleshooting and long-term equipment planning more efficient.

Refurbishment of three DIP 20000 diffusion pumps

YTI completed the approved refurbishment scope on all three DIP 20000 diffusion pumps.

The objective was to return the pumps to reliable operating condition while giving ORAFOL a clear understanding of the completed work and any additional concerns found during the service process.

For industrial vacuum equipment, refurbishment can provide an alternative to premature replacement. It allows the service team to evaluate the existing equipment, address repairable conditions and help extend the useful life of major vacuum system components.

YTI supports diffusion pumps through depot refurbishment, field service, troubleshooting, installation support and system-level performance evaluation.

Reinstallation followed by leak detection testing

The work did not end when the diffusion pumps were returned.

After the pumps were reinstalled, YTI performed leak detection testing on the vacuum system. This additional step helped evaluate the system after the pump service and identify areas that could require further attention.

YTI then provided ORAFOL with a report documenting the areas of concern discovered during testing.

This was an important part of the project because satisfactory vacuum performance depends on the condition of the entire system. Even properly refurbished pumps may not deliver the expected result when leaks, seals, connections or other system conditions remain unresolved.

By including leak detection after reinstallation, YTI gave ORAFOL more than a completed pump refurbishment. The customer also received useful information for continued maintenance and future system planning.

Communication throughout the project

ORAFOL specifically recognized YTI’s communication before, during and after the work.

Clear communication is especially important when servicing production-critical equipment. Customers need to understand what information is required, how the work will proceed, what was discovered and what should happen next.

YTI worked to keep ORAFOL informed throughout the diffusion pump project and remained available to answer technical questions after the work was completed.

The customer also highlighted the team’s willingness to explain how the equipment works and provide practical guidance on how to care for the system.

That exchange of knowledge helps the customer make better maintenance decisions, recognize developing problems and communicate more effectively when future service is required.

The result

Following refurbishment and reinstallation, ORAFOL reported that all three diffusion pumps were working well.

The project delivered several important outcomes:

  • Three DIP 20000 diffusion pumps were professionally refurbished.
  • The pumps were returned to operation on ORAFOL’s metalizer.
  • Leak detection testing was completed after reinstallation.
  • ORAFOL received a report identifying areas of concern.
  • The customer received responsive communication throughout the project.
  • YTI answered technical questions and provided equipment-care guidance.
  • The work strengthened an existing service relationship that began with the earlier Polycold repair.

Most importantly, ORAFOL expressed confidence in using YTI for future service needs.

What ORAFOL said about working with YTI

“Thank you, the Diffusion Pumps are working great!

We hired YTI to service the oil diffusion pumps (DIP20000) on our Metalizer and had a great experience. YTI also handled the repairs on our PolyCold unit for the vacuum chamber a few months back. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. We got quotes from several different companies to complete this job, and YTI’s price was by far the most reasonable.

They did a great job at communicating before, during, and after the job was complete. They also included a leak detection test after the pumps were reinstalled and provided a report indicating the areas of concern. The staff is happy to answer our questions and teach us more about the innerworkings of our machine and how to care for it. It feels like the staff at YTI genuinely wants us to succeed and is happy to support us in any way they can.

Will definitely be going back to YTI for future services. Special shoutout to Adam, Omar, and Gary for all their help!”

Blanche Gorham
Process Engineer
ORAFOL

More than a pump repair

The ORAFOL project reflects YTI’s broader approach to vacuum equipment service.

The immediate assignment involved refurbishing three diffusion pumps, but the complete value of the work also included:

  • Familiarity with the related Polycold equipment
  • Communication throughout the service process
  • Support after the pumps were reinstalled
  • Leak detection testing of the connected system
  • Documentation of additional areas of concern
  • Technical education for the customer’s team
  • Continued availability for future support

This approach helps customers move beyond isolated repairs and toward better long-term equipment reliability.

Diffusion pump refurbishment and field support from YTI

Yeagle Technology Inc. provides diffusion pump refurbishment, troubleshooting, leak detection, installation support and vacuum system field service for customers throughout the United States.

YTI also supports related equipment and systems, including:

  • Vacuum coating and deposition systems
  • Polycold and other cryochiller equipment
  • Cryopumps
  • Mechanical vacuum pumps
  • Vacuum chambers
  • Controls and electronics
  • Power supplies
  • Feedthroughs and vacuum components
  • Cooling circuits
  • Preventive maintenance programs
  • Custom machining and fabrication
  • Equipment redesign and modernization

With engineering, machining, fabrication, electronics, cryogenic service and vacuum testing capabilities, YTI can evaluate both the component requiring service and the larger system in which it operates.

Does your diffusion pump or vacuum system need service?

Contact YTI when a diffusion pump requires refurbishment, a vacuum chamber is not reaching its expected pressure, pump-down time has increased or a production system needs a complete technical evaluation.

Provide the equipment manufacturer, model number, photos, operating symptoms, service history, facility location and required timeline. YTI will review the information and help determine the appropriate depot service, field service, leak detection, repair, refurbishment or preventive maintenance path.

Yeagle Technology Inc.
Ashford, Connecticut
Nationwide field and depot service
(860) 429-1908
sales@ytionline.com