Pneumatic Vacuums

What defines this line

• Zero electrical components
• Suited to classified areas
• Minimal moving parts, minimal maintenance
• Runs from plant compressed air

• AVX-5 EX
• AVX-5-10 EX HEPA
• AVX-5-10 EX MR HEPA
• AVX-15 EX HEPA
• AVX-15 EX MR HEPA
• AVX-15 EX RCT
• AVX-15 EX RCT HEPA
• AVX-20 EX RCT
• AVX-20 EX RCT HEPA
• AVX-25 EX RCT HEPA
• AVX-25 EX RCT IS HEPA
• AVX-55 EX

Electric or air-operated?

The single most useful distinction in the range, and the one buyers most often have to ask for. Both are built with the same conductive, grounded and bonded recovery path — what differs is the drive.

How to choose within this line

1. 01

   Verify your compressed air supply

   Air-operated units depend on the plant air system. Available pressure and volume at the point of use determine which models are practical — worth confirming before specifying.

2. 02

   No electrical components at all

   Because the drive is pneumatic, there is no motor, no switch and no cord in the recovery unit. For many classified areas and wash-down environments that is the deciding advantage.

3. 03

   Consider continuous duty

   Air-operated units tolerate long, uninterrupted running well, which suits production housekeeping and central-station use.

4. 04

   Match the recovery path to the material

   Conductive construction, grounding and bonding still matter with an air drive — the dust, not just the motor, can carry the ignition risk.

Where this line is used

• Chemical
• Metalworking
• Aerospace
• Battery

Not listed? Browse the full industry directory or start from your material. New to dust hazards? Start with how dust explosions work or vacuum vs dust collector.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose an electric or an air-operated vacuum?

It usually comes down to two things: your area classification and whether you have adequate compressed air at the point of use. An air-operated unit is driven by compressed air through a venturi, so there is no electric motor, no switch and no cord in the recovery unit at all — which removes the electrical ignition question from the drive entirely and suits long continuous running. Electric units suit facilities without sufficient plant air. Both are built with the same conductive, grounded and bonded recovery path, because the dust carries static regardless of what drives the machine. Air units are louder, which is worth planning for in occupied areas.

What is the difference between HEPA and ULPA filtration?

They are tested at different particle sizes and efficiencies. Standard HEPA is tested to a minimum of 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 micrometres; PrestiVac units are rated at 99.99% absolute, and factory H14 grades reach 99.995%. ULPA extends further, to 99.9995% at 0.12 micrometres. Which you need follows the requirement — the room classification, the exposure limit, or the sanitation standard — rather than a preference for the larger number. Ask what a filter is tested to rather than what it is called.

Do you supply dust collectors?

No. We manufacture industrial vacuums — explosion-proof, HEPA, air-operated, wet and dry, central systems and custom-built units. A dust collector is a different machine: high air volume at low suction, capturing dust at the source through fixed ducting. A vacuum is lower volume at high suction, removing what has already settled. Most dust programmes need both, and we would rather point you to a collection-system specialist for that half than sell you the wrong equipment.

Can one vacuum handle several different materials?

Sometimes, but it is worth checking rather than assuming. The constraints are the most demanding material in the mix, the classification of every area the unit will enter, and whether any of the materials should be kept separate. Reactive metal fines should not be combined with other debris or with coolant, and regulated toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and beryllium call for dedicated equipment that never leaves the regulated area. A unit that also cleans the loading dock has no business in a cleanroom.

Do you build custom systems?

Yes — custom-built systems are part of the range, and with more than 200 versions built over the years most requirements have a precedent. The useful thing to bring is constraints rather than a specification: the material, the area classification, the duty cycle, the footprint available, and how recovered material needs to leave the building. Those five determine what can be built, and asking early about the certification documents your compliance process will require means the build produces them.

Selecting equipment for this application

Written for engineers specifying recovery equipment. Each guide covers how the decision is actually made rather than which product to buy.