Milestones

Innovation is one of Atlas Copco’s key values. Throughout the years, the company has been at the forefront of compressor technology with a number of important innovations. Hundreds of patents related to both compressors and air treatment equipment have contributed to Atlas Copco’s becoming and remaining First in Mind-First in Choice® with its customers.

• 1904:
  Atlas Copco introduces its first oil-free piston compressor.
• 1952:
  Atlas Copco introduces the first oil-free screw compressor worldwide to reach the market: “UR4”. Oil was left out of the entire compression process.
• 1964:
  Launch of “ER”, the first water cooled two-stage piston compressor in the world. Higher pressures at reasonable temperatures were possible; two-stage machines also proved to be 10-15 % more energy efficient.
• 1966:
  Worldwide introduction of the first “Z” compressor. The big difference with the earlier “UR4” was the asymmetric design of the screw elements. The design of the elements (Mark I) resulted in a very low SER (Specific Energy Requirement). Compared to the earlier “UR4”, the “Z” was smaller in footprint, easier to install and weighed a lot less.
• 1969:
  Atlas Copco is the first company to introduce a patented MD adsorption dryer. Up to today still a huge success, due to energy savings.

• 1973:
  Silencing canopies first introduced by Atlas Copco, resulting in lower noise for big machines. GA units with watercooling are being offered.
• 1986:
  Introduction of the Elektronikon™ controller. Atlas Copco is the first company worldwide to introduce an electronic compressor monitoring system, optimizing the unload losses. The result was improved energy efficiency.
• 1993:
  Atlas Copco is the first company worldwide to launch the Full Feature concept for compressors. Compressors with integrated dryers resulted in a reduction of the footprint of the compressor and exclusion of piping from a dryer to the process. Furthermore, the installation process was shortened. There are shorter paths for air flows, and reduced pressure drops (consequently lowering energy requirements).
• 1994:
  Quantum improvement in energy efficiency. Atlas Copco is the first company to launch the revolutionary VSD (Variable Speed Drive) on the compressor market, allowing energy savings of up to 35 %.
• 1995:
  The world’s first packaged and ready-to-run centrifugal compressors arrive on the market. Atlas Copco introduces the “ZH” centrifugal turbo compressors. Atlas Copco introduces standard machines with a different technology for bigger flows. Screw compressors went to 750 kW, centrifugal compressors up to 2 mW.
• 1995:
  Unique ZR coolers are introduced. The star insert improves inter- and aftercooling, resulting in additional reductions in energy consumption. The stainless steel (R429) used to produce the cooler is particularly corrosion resistant, making it extremely reliable. The tubes are welded in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the materials during the process, increasing both strength and cooler lifetime.

• 2002:
  “Z” series Full Feature compressors include an integrated MD dryer (for ease of installation), and improved energy efficiency (MD dryer providing dry air “for free”). Energy savings go up to 20 %.
• 2002:
  Launch of the ES system/controller, which optimizes the operation of multiple compressor installations.
• 2003:
  Introduction of AirScan™, allowing customers to easily measure their need for compressed air and adapt their compressor installation. This separate product shows the best solution and the corresponding ideal compressor installation, for energy savings.
• 2005:
  Higly energy efficient XD heat of compression adsorption dryer range developed.
• 2006:
  The “Z” screw compressors are the first and only compressors worldwide to receive an ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certificate (no traces of oil could be determined in the compressed air stream) as measured by the independent agency TÜV.
• 2007:
  Atlas Copco obtains ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certificates from the TÜV for oil-free air compressors in the centrifugal, tooth, scroll and water-injected screw ranges. The P series of oil-free portable rental compressors, the SF scroll compressors and the AQ water-injected oil-free compressors are the first and only air compressors TÜV certified according ISO 8573-1 (CLASS 0) in their technology classes and types.
• 2008:
  Introduction of the new oil-injected screw compressor GA 90+ - 160+ and GA 132–160 VSD. A revolutionary screw element allows utmost efficiency, reliability and performance. With the highest compressor package efficiency on the market, Variable Speed Drive (VSD) and Full Feature variants, the range sets a new benchmark in compressors.
• 2009:
  Atlas Copco’s ZR series of water-cooled oil-free air compressors with built-in energy recovery systems is the first in the world to be TÜV certified for ‘net zero energy consumption’ at specific design conditions.  It has been proven that 100% of the electrical power input could be recovered in the form of hot water. 
  

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