STP-301/451 Series Instruction Manual 
 
2-1
Installation 
2  Operation Principle of the STP Pump   
 
The STP-301/451 is a series of magnetically-levitated turbomolecular pumps, featuring the 
following: 
 
•  Oil free 
•  Low vibration 
•  High reliability 
 
The STP pump is configured so that rotor blade (1) and stator blade (2) are aligned 
alternately in the axial direction. Gas molecules are pumped from the inlet port to the outlet 
port by the high speed rotation of the rotor. 
 
Rotor blade (1) is supported by the magnetic bearing without mechanical contact. Therefore 
the STP pump requires no lubrication oil unlike conventional turbomolecular pumps using 
ball bearings. 
 
The magnetic bearing consists of 3 pairs of active magnetic bearings.    The rotor is supported 
in the radial direction by 2 pairs of radial direction active magnetic bearings that consist of 
radial sensor (3) and radial electromagnet (4). A pair of axial direction active magnetic 
bearings consists of axial sensor (5) and axial electromagnet (6) to support the rotor in the 
axial direction. Because the rotor is thus supported without mechanical contact, it can rotate 
with low vibration. 
 
There is less heat generated from magnetic bearings because there is no friction. Therefore 
the STP pump requires no cooling. However, the STP pump requires water cooling or air 
cooling during baking and gas pumping. 
 
Taking into consideration a breakage of magnetic bearings, touch down bearings (7) and (8) 
coated with solid lubrication have been installed. They do not contact the rotor during the 
rated operation. 
 
A radial sensor, an axial sensor, a rotational speed sensor and a temperature sensor always 
monitor the magnetic bearing as well as the rotor. If an abnormality/error occurs, the rotor 
will stop.