How Compressor Innovation Can Benefit You

“Compressors have been around for over 200 years, so how can compressor innovation possibly benefit me?” That’s a fair question to ask. The answer is that there isn’t one way in which an innovative air compression technology can help you. There are many of them.
 

In fact, innovative solutions can improve your operation’s efficiency, operating costs, environmental impact, and reliability.

That all starts with the compressor itself. Here, incredible improvements have been made over the past three decades. Not long before the turn of the century, compressors all had one speed: Full power. Once you turn them on, they give you all they got.
 

Seeing how this was inherently inefficient because that much power was not always needed, Atlas Copco came up with an innovation that revolutionized the industry. About 30 years ago, we developed the first compressor whose motor speed was based on the compressed air demand.
 

That first generation of variable speed drive (VSD) compressors reduced the energy consumption of its users by up to 30%. In a process that takes so much energy, this made a huge difference.
 

Since then, compressor technology hasn’t stopped evolving and improving.
 

In the past, most of the innovations – as well as the efficiency and reliability gains – came on the hardware side. Now, however, the compressor software as well as innovative features and services often make the greatest difference.

If you are willing to embrace compressor innovation, then you can take advantage of technologies like:
 

• advanced energy-saving algorithms
• compressors that can “talk” to your other machines and support your connected production
• controllers that alert you to potential problems and offer fixes
• remote monitoring so you can always keep an eye on your compressor
• new features that allow you to get the most out of your equipment
• a compressor that receives over-the-air-updates and therefore gets better over time

Let’s take a closer look at how these innovations can provide you with a key competitive edge in three main areas.

Energy expenses will account for the vast majority of all costs associated with your compressor.
 

And that includes the initial investment, which is only responsible for about 10% of the total cost of ownership. Therefore, many innovations – both on the software and the hardware side – are geared toward saving energy. But other areas that contribute to greater efficiency are often overlooked.

For example, the controller you choose can have a major impact on how much energy you use. This is not only true for individual compressors but also for controllers that optimize the operation of multiple units.

In addition, the right compressed air partner will offer many innovative services that reduce your energy use further. 

Atlas Copco is leading the way with many tools that help you figure out which technology is best for you. Furthermore, our experts will offer lots of tips on how you can reduce your operating pressure, which directly affects your energy expenses.

And then there are also technologies that affect compressor efficiency indirectly. For example, leak detection technology can help you eliminate one of the greatest sources of waste.

Sustainability is going to dictate how we do business in the future. Governments are trying to reach their climate targets by imposing tighter regulations on many industries and/or offering incentives for investments in “greener” technologies.
 

With innovative solutions, Atlas Copco can help you do your part. That begins with the unprecedented energy savings that our products and services offer and that will help you stay ahead of the competition.

To produce results (and energy savings), your compressed air equipment has to work. Innovative solutions play a major role keeping your compressor running (optimally).
 

Using remote monitoring and control technologies, compressors can now alert you if there is an issue and even suggest fixes.

The hardware obviously plays an important role as well. Durable components and a design focused on reliability will ensure that your compressor keeps running for a long time. And, if you partner with Atlas Copco, you can even have our experts monitor your compressors.