Robotics & Automation worked example

Vacuum Pump Capacity with per-cup leak rate of 0.3 SCFM: a worked example in robotics & automation

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop per-cup leak rate to 0.3 SCFM, then walk the calculation through step by step. Estimate required vacuum pump capacity in CFM from per-cup leak rate, cup count, evacuation time factor, and a safety factor for porous materials.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Per-cup leak rate: 0.3 SCFM (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 0.6)
  • Number of cups: 6 cups (held at the documented default)
  • Evacuation factor for cycle speed: 1.5 x (held at the documented default)
  • Porosity safety factor: 1.5 x (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Required vacuum CFM = per-cup leak rate x number of cups x evacuation factor x porosity safety factor.
  • Required vacuum CFM works out to 4.05 CFM at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Base product works out to 2.7 value at these inputs.
  • Multiplier works out to 1.5 x at these inputs.
  • Factor A x B works out to 1.8 value at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where per-cup leak rate sits at 0.6 SCFM and the headline result is 8.1 CFM, this scenario comes in 50% below the baseline at 4.05 CFM.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to per-cup leak rate, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. Pump and generator data sheets rate flow at a specific vacuum level; a source that hits your CFM at low vacuum may fall short at your working inHg, so always confirm against the curve, not the headline number.

Results at a glance

  • Required vacuum CFM: 4.05 CFM (headline result)
  • Base product: 2.7 value
  • Multiplier: 1.5 x
  • Factor A x B: 1.8 value

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Vacuum Pump Capacity calculator, set per-cup leak rate to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.