In a high or ultra-high vacuum installation, connections deserve as much attention as the main equipment. A vacuum chamber, pump or measuring instrument can only operate as part of a coherent system if the components connecting them provide the required level of sealing and are suited to the operating conditions. This is where CF vacuum components play an important role. CF, or ConFlat, connections use metal gaskets to create vacuum-tight joints between compatible flanges. They are widely associated with demanding vacuum applications, particularly ultra-high vacuum systems. And if you’re looking for the right component for your system, you can turn to Plasmadiam’s furniture and installation of CF Vacuum components service.
CF components belong to a family of vacuum fittings based on the ConFlat flange system. Their most distinctive feature is the way the seal is created. A CF connection typically consists of two compatible flanges with a metal gasket positioned between them. When the connection is tightened, the sealing edges of the flanges deform the gasket. This mechanical deformation creates the seal required by the vacuum connection.
This principle distinguishes CF technology from other common vacuum connection systems. ISO-KF connections, for instance, typically use an elastomer O-ring held by a centering ring, with the assembly secured by a clamp. CF connections instead rely on a metal gasket and a bolted flange assembly. This is particularly relevant when dealing with demanding vacuum conditions. CF technology is commonly used for ultra-high vacuum applications, where the materials and sealing principles employed throughout the installation have a direct influence on the achievable vacuum environment.
Sometimes the part you need is obvious. You have the technical documentation, know the dimensions and specifications, and simply need a replacement component. But many other situations require more investigation.
A vacuum system may have been modified several times during its service life. Documentation may be incomplete. A new instrument may need to be added to an existing chamber. A section of vacuum piping may need to be redesigned or an old component may have to be replaced without changing the rest of the installation. In these situations, choosing a CF component from a catalog without considering its environment can quickly lead to the wrong decision.
Our first question is therefore not necessarily “Which part number do you want?” We prefer to understand what the component needs to do within your system. We can look at the existing connection, the equipment involved and the configuration of the vacuum line. If a component is being replaced, our objective is to identify a suitable solution for the existing assembly. If you are modifying the system, we can consider how the new component will interact with the rest of the installation.
This approach comes directly from our experience in custom vacuum system design. For more than 20 years, our Swiss team has worked on the construction of vacuum installations adapted to specific customer applications. We are accustomed to combining vacuum technology with other technical disciplines, including heating, coating, testing and movement under vacuum. As a result, we see a flange, elbow or reducer not as an isolated product but as one element in a larger process.
If you already know precisely what you require, we can focus directly on the component. If you do not, we help you identify the right CF vacuum components before they are ordered. In any case, Plasmadiam covers your needs for the furniture and installation of CF Vacuum components in Switzerland.
Supplying the correct CF components is only one part of our work. Plasmadiam can also take care of their integration into your vacuum installation in Switzerland. The advantage is continuity. The people helping you identify the component understand where and why it will be installed. This matters with CF connections because installation quality contributes directly to the integrity of the assembly. The mating surfaces and sealing areas must be in suitable condition, the metal gasket must be correctly positioned, and the flange assembly must be tightened appropriately and evenly.
When opening an existing CF connection, attention must also be paid to the condition of the components before reassembly. As the gasket has already undergone deformation during its previous installation, a new gasket is normally used when the joint is reassembled. For a straightforward replacement, our role can remain focused on the relevant section of the system. For more substantial changes, however, we can take a broader view.
Plasmadiam designs and sells custom vacuum equipment according to the requirements of each application. Our engineers collaborate with customers to define the vacuum solution, while the systems we develop are built and tested in-house by our vacuum technicians. We can therefore support a project from engineering through to the physical integration of its components.
Our expertise covers systems in which vacuum technology must coexist with heating, coating, testing or movement under vacuum. This multidisciplinary experience is particularly useful when CF components are part of a purpose-built installation rather than a standard vacuum line.
Ultimately, our furniture and installation of CF vacuum components in Switzerland service is designed around a simple principle: the right part is not merely one that fits on paper. It must make sense within the actual vacuum system. You can therefore contact us with an exact component specification, an existing installation that needs modification, or simply a technical requirement. We will work from the system outward to determine what is required.
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CF stands for ConFlat. It refers to a flange connection system commonly used in demanding vacuum applications, including ultra-high vacuum. A CF connection uses a metal gasket compressed between compatible flanges to create the seal.
A CF vacuum network can include flanges as well as different connecting components such as elbows, tees, crosses, reducers and blanking components. The exact configuration depends on the geometry and function of the vacuum installation.
No. They use different sealing and assembly principles. ISO-KF connections typically use an elastomer O-ring with a centering ring and clamp. CF connections use a metal gasket compressed between bolted flanges. The appropriate system therefore depends on the requirements of the installation.
A CF gasket is mechanically deformed when the flange connection is tightened. For this reason, it is normally replaced after a connection has been dismantled rather than reused for subsequent assembly.
Start with the characteristics of the existing connection and the function the new component must perform. Dimensions, geometry and compatibility with adjoining equipment all matter. If the required reference is unclear, Plasmadiam can examine your system and help identify a suitable component.