Compressor upgrade earns energy-saving bonus for Fabricon Design
When Fabricon Design replaced its existing compressor installation with an Atlas Copco VSD+ unit to sustain the air supply of its state-of-the-art CNC machining operation, it also gained the benefit of annual energy savings in the region of 51%.
Starting life in 1984 as a design-led steel fabrication company by founder and managing director, Mark Bushdyhan, Fabricon Design has expanded over the last 30 years to include rapid prototyping capabilities and full-scale production, with all services embracing the latest advances in fabrication technology.
This capability combined with traditional skills and working practices enables the company to develop innovative singular design solutions for its customers as well as produce a diverse range of aluminium, steel, and plastic custom-engineered items in volume from its base in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Fabricon Design’s compressor upgrade achieved annual energy savings in the region of 51% / Picture: Atlas Copco
In its manufacturing role, the company machines tens of thousands of components on its 4-axis CNC centres each month, products destined for a wide variety of industry sectors and projects. The components can be as varied as metal fittings for stairlift equipment assembly, corner fixings for airport lighting systems, or essential aluminium parts for architectural fenestration systems.
Essential air supply
To maintain this versatile output, Fabricon Design operates an investment strategy of continually upgrading to the latest developments in CNC milling machines. But, to fully exploit equipment capability, a reliable and adequate supply of compressed air must always be available as an integral part of the machines’ operation.
The air supply is required to operate the clamps and valves on the CNC machines as well as provide motive power for a battery of auto saws. At the same time, compressed air is used to control equipment temperature during dry cutting procedures.
This air requirement became even more critical when new production equipment was installed. Fabricon Design’s compliance manager, Rebecca Lee-Panton explained: “We needed to replace the existing old, fixed-speed 11kW compressor because it didn’t have sufficient capacity to meet the demands from the new CNC machinery. We studied the compressor market, and invited Atlas Copco to come to the site, look at our existing installation, monitor the system’s performance and report back with their recommendations.”
The upgrade plan
A week-long iiTrak study of the regular compressed air usage pattern revealed the need for the existing compressor’s replacement and its relegation to standby duty. Calculations indicated long term savings with a 5-year payback from an upgrade plan recommending a new compressed air system. The installation would include an Atlas Copco GA15 VSD+FF rotary screw compressor with integral refrigerant dryer, together with a 900 litre-air receiver, quality air and condensate treatment ancillaries. It also advised a modification to the distribution pipework system to form a complete ring main, connecting two manufacturing areas with new AirNet pipework, in order to improve air pressure and flow throughout the workplace.
Rebecca Lee-Panton stressed that the integrated dryer feature of the GA machine was particularly significant: “The air supply needs to be bone dry when in contact with electrical equipment to prevent any potential corrosion problems.”
Fabricon Design needed to replace its old compressor because it didn’t have sufficient capacity to meet the demands from new CNC machinery / Picture: Atlas Copco
The compact, full-feature Atlas Copco GA15 VSD+ compressor, delivering between 7 and 41.8 ls of quality air at 7 bar, is designed with innovative features to increase efficiency, cut energy consumption, lower noise levels, and reduce operating costs.
The VSD+ compressor’s vertical aspect design means that it occupies only the minimum shop floor footprint. This space-saving feature was an important issue in Fabricon Design’s purchase decision.
There are environmental benefits, also. The Atlas Copco compressor will save the company approximately 51% of its energy consumption, a figure which equates to £2479 per annum based on 10p/kWh for the electricity supply. Moreover, the VSD+ compressor qualifies for an Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) tax-back claim.
The compressor now installed is factory fitted with Atlas Copco’s SmartLink − a remote data monitoring programme for compressors. SmartLink provides connectivity that intelligently gathers, compares, and analyses data off-site to help compressed air users increase maintenance and service efficiency. For added peace of mind, the Fabricon Design installation is also protected by a Total Responsibility full-service maintenance contract with Atlas Copco.
A seamless transition
The efficiency of the upgrade project operation has earned praise from founder, Mark Bushdyhan. He concluded: “We are an agile organisation; we innovate and constantly adapt to stay abreast of the rapidly changing technology needed to meet the demands of the marketplace. So, we were impressed with the seamless transition at every stage of the new compressor installation to improve productivity, right from the initial audit through to commissioning, without interruption of our workflow at any time. What’s more, the impressive energy savings were a bonus.”
Source: Zenoot
