Press release
April 2020
Traditionally, end users view their processes holistically. They are not concerned with the daily operation of just one machine, but with the functioning of the factory – as a whole.
Compressed air is typically used in large quantities in these factories across various applications and machines. Where do you start if you want to use efficient air management systems?
Bill Blyth
This is where SMC comes in, says Bill Blyth (manager of the Energy Conservation Group).
The AirMaS technology from SMC and the air management system (AMS) can be the right tool to offer you the compressed air efficiency you need on existing machines and processes.
“We take the two elements of compressed air energy into account. Namely pressure and flow. This improved air management can be installed on existing lines to support energy control, ”added Bill.
SMC Corporation ANZ has a team of engineers who work with customers to first determine how much air is consumed, what profile energy consumption is, and what goal they want to achieve.
Bill and the team will then install monitoring and reapply more efficient compressed air energy using various standard SMC components and technologies to get as close as possible to the desired goal in each application.
An AMS success story
One such success story is that of a food producer in Victoria. They used a high-speed filling and carton packaging machine that required a lot of air. During the analysis, an analysis of the current air flow and pressure energy was carried out by installing pressure, flow and performance monitoring.
It must be emphasized that these tests were carried out during actual production and the results were therefore “real time” without affecting the operation of the construction site. Typically, the technology is first introduced alongside the existing air control to ensure that production is not interrupted while SMC puts the applications into operation for optimal results.
AMS scaled to high speed filling machine
"If you analyze the air consumption profile graphs, it becomes very clear where the inefficiencies are and where you use a lot more than you need," says Bill. Typically, your metrics will show the following:
- Excessive flow rate
- Artificial demand
- Rapidly changing rivers
- High pressure drops
- Non-productive consumption
This result identified excessive consumption for the customer and demonstrated the ability to reduce the existing 700 kPa (pressure) to a target of 500 kPa and reduce the flow rate by approximately 30%. “Using standard SMC components that have been correctly applied and configured to deploy the AMS offers the customer value and a wealth of data. Data that will help them make and retain (important) savings and lower the bottom line of compressed air energy consumption. "
A recipe for success
There are some standard components that need to be in place, says Bill. “This includes strategically placed monitoring and compressed air pressure and volume control devices and technologies. This is the cornerstone of the AMS system, ”he continues.
"From here, we test the compressed air profiles and can adapt the most efficient air profile to the existing system using standard components to achieve the desired result."
Bill highlights the key factors that the Energy Conservation Team takes into account in this process of creating a healthy system:
- Controlled flow and pressure
- Most efficient demand profile
- Eliminate artificial demand
- Continuous monitoring of waste (leaks)
By executing the live tests with the customer, an air management system (consisting of standard components) was configured that corresponds to the factory and machine layout. SMC encourages customers to contact them to assess their current air consumption and to look for ways to improve their savings. "A little goes a long way and we are here to support every step of the way," concludes Bill.
Email compress.air.efficiency@smcanz.com to request more information or to schedule a meeting.
Source: positive.
