• Vacuum systems create low-pressure areas using pumping mechanisms.Vacuum line image by waynocook from Fotolia.com
  
  Vacuum systems refer, not to the vacuum cleaners used by households, but to systems designed to literally produce a vacuum, a space of low pressure or the complete absence of air. These systems are used in scientific experimentation, manufacturing techniques, and applications where the pressure of the vacuum is used to hold objects in place. There are several key components to these systems and most can usually be replaced as needed.
  
  

Pumps

• Pumps are used to draw air away from the vacuum, causing it to lose pressure while maintaining space, the key ingredient to a vacuum. These pumps are typically pneumatic or hydraulic, and draw air into a single chamber to form the vacuum, although larger motorized versions are also used.
  
  

Gauges

• Gauges show what state the vacuum area is currently in. Typically, gauges are in the shape of a dial that shows the pressure in the vacuum so that users can see when low pressure develops. This is useful in factory or scientific applications when the amount of pressure is important. Some read-out devices may be digital.
  
  

Valves

• Valves are used to shut down air flow to the vacuum once the pump has done its job. Without these valves, air would naturally escape back into the vacuum in order to equalize the pressure. These valves must be sturdy, durable and air-tight to create vacuums.
  
  

Cups and Pads

• Cups and pads are used to seal a vacuum as well, but only in relation to another surface. For instance, a suction cup is an example of a vacuum cup device. In vacuum systems the cups and pads are large and made of more durable plastic materials, but they are still often used to hang objects in place.
  
  

Air Systems

• In order to transfer air back and forth from the vacuum and the pumping system, a series of tubes and airtight connections are used in conjunction with the valves. These tubes must also be of high quality, because any leaks could easily compromise the vacuum system.
  
  

Generators

• Some vacuum systems are designed to be used outdoors and away from normal sources of power. In this case, vacuum systems typically come with a generator of their own that provides enough power for the pump to do its job. This is more typical for large vacuum systems that do not use push-and-pull pneumatic pumps.