KF Vacuum Bellows

KF vacuum bellows are flexible, axially convoluted metal sleeves with integrated ISO-KF (also known as QF or NW) quick-flange fittings on each end. They are designed to provide a hermetic, high-vacuum seal while accommodating movement, misalignment, and vibration in modular vacuum systems. Their defining feature is the use of the standard KF flange system, which utilizes a centering ring, elastomer O-ring (typically Viton® or FKM), and a clamping chain for rapid assembly and disassembly without tools.

Description

KF Vacuum Bellows

Primary Applications of KF Vacuum Bellows

Modular System Assembly and Alignment Compensation:
- Misalignment Correction: The most common use is to connect two components with slight port misalignment (parallel offset or angular) in rack-mounted or complex modular systems, such as those used in research labs, analytical instrument setups, and small-scale process stations.
- Simplified Installation: Allows for easier assembly of pre-aligned components without requiring perfect linear alignment of all ports, drastically reducing installation time and effort.
Vibration and Noise Isolation:
- Pump Isolation: Installed between a vacuum chamber/ manifold and a roughing pump or turbomolecular pump to absorb mechanical vibrations and dampen acoustic noise, protecting sensitive processes (e.g., thin film deposition, microscopy) and instruments.
- Equipment Protection: Prevents the transmission of vibration from the floor or supporting structure into the vacuum system, and vice versa.
Thermal Expansion Accommodation:
- Bake-Out and Process Cycles: Compensates for the differential thermal expansion and contraction between connected components during system bake-out or in processes with variable temperatures, preventing stress buildup and potential damage to flanges or seals.
Motion Feedthroughs for Manipulators:
- Manual or Motorized Stages: Acts as the flexible vacuum boundary for linear or rotary manipulators with KF interfaces, allowing for the positioning of samples, probes, or shutters inside a chamber without breaking the vacuum seal.
Connection to Sensitive or Fragile Components:
- Gauges and Sensors: Used to connect pressure gauges, mass spectrometers, or leak detectors, providing mechanical decoupling to protect their delicate internal elements from stress.
- Valve Actuation Stress Relief: Mounted on the actuation side of valves to absorb stress from pneumatic or manual operation, prolonging valve and flange life.