Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the best performance and longest service life from your vacuum pump.

 
Daily Maintenance: Under normal operation, your vacuum pump draws moisture from the air which condenses and gathers inside the pump’s oil reservoir. If left there, this water can affect the pump’s performance and eventually rust the interior parts of the pump. Overnight, the oil and water should separate completely, with the water settling to the bottom of the tank.

 
For an optimum seal, keep your bell jar rim and vacuum table clean of investment debris. Use a damp sponge to clean and wet the bottom of the bell jar rim just before using it.
 
Regularly inspect your bell jar for chips or fractures. Never use a chipped or damaged bell jar.
 
Never press or hit the bell jar surface during vacuuming. It is under tremendous pressure and can implode. This could result in dangerous flying debris.
 
Cut a 1" (25mm), cross-shaped slit (+) all the way through the center of the vacuum table pad before vacuuming. This will relieve any air pressure build-up under the pad. The slit will keep the pad from lifting during the vacuuming process.

Organic, natural mold rubber has a shelf life of one year if stored in a cool, dark place.
 
You can extend the shelf life to two years by freezing the rubber.
 
Organic mold rubber material should not be exposed to the sun or heat. Exposure will cause it to deteriorate and shorten its shelf life.

 
Like any piece of equipment, a vulcanizer may not always give completely accurate temperature control. Here’s a simple way to check the temperature at a particular setting:
 
1)  Look on the side of your vulcanizer platens; most models have two or more small ports or vents that are open to the heating elements.