Atlas Copco GA VSD+ compressor achieves 50% energy savings for UK’s largest quartz glass fabricator
After experiencing pressure drops that limited applications within its production facility, Quartztec Europe installed an Atlas Copco GA VSD+ compressor that increased output, halved annual energy costs and exceeded initial savings estimates by 19%
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Quartztec Europe is the largest fabricator of quartz glass in the UK and one of the top five in Europe. It undertakes manufacturing for market sectors, such as semiconductors, solar and fibre optics, within its 50,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in Kelvin South Business Park, East Kilbride.
Quartztec Europe is undergoing a significant expansion period involving state-of-the-art equipment and the implementation of new working practices to enable the business to grow. Looking to upgrade its compressed air system to meet the demands of new production machinery being installed, it was evident that the existing air supply was inadequate. If both main air applications - the feed to CNC machining operations or the purpose built sandblast booth - were running simultaneously, the pressure drop was such that it became a question of proceeding in an either/or situation, resulting in unwarranted downtime.
As Quartztec’s Operations Manager, Mark King explains:
Initially, we requested prices for 37 kW Variable Speed Drive compressors from three different companies and Atlas Copco provided a cost for a compressor with over 15 per cent greater output than the other two. Further to this, they explored a number of options to ensure the correct solution was put in place by fitting data loggers free of charge to better understand the requirements of the site.
King continued:
Eventually, it was found that a 22 kW GA22VSD+ compressor would suffice, as well as saving us over £3,000 (50 per cent) on energy every year. This meant that the compressor system could be paid off within 5 years, whilst providing 100 per cent redundancy to ensure our production is never compromised.
The enhanced performance of a GA compressor can, in many instances, allow a lower kW rated machine to be installed at a correspondingly smaller purchase price and reduced running cost in comparison to a higher rated machine, as was the case with Quarztec.
Having data logged the new compressors with the new production equipment installed; Atlas Copco reported that the savings would exceed the expected figure by a factor of 19 per cent, thus proving the efficiency of the solution.
Mark King further commented:
Atlas Copco's commitment to providing the optimal solution saved us not only in capital and service costs by identifying the correct size of compressor, but also massive energy savings against our old fixed speed compressor. The installed compressor is exceeding all of our expectations. I would have no hesitation in recommending Atlas Copco as a compressed air partner.
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Editor's Notes:
Atlas Copco Compressors is the GB sales and service operation of the Atlas Copco Group providing oil-free and oil-injected stationary air compressors, gas and process compressors, vacuum pumps, turbo expanders, nitrogen generators, air treatment equipment (such as compressed air dryers, coolers, and filters) air management systems, and custom designed engineered packages.
Atlas Copco Compressors’ sales and distribution network means that specialist compressed air advice and service is always within easy reach. A team of over 80 service engineers operates across the country, to ensure maximum running efficiency and minimum downtime at its customers' sites.
In the United Kingdom, Atlas Copco also handles the sales and marketing of construction equipment, portable compressors and electric power generators, industrial power tools and assembly systems – all backed up by a nationwide sales, distribution, service and maintenance network.
Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers through its innovative compressors, vacuum solutions, generators, pumps, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2017, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 86 (BEUR 9) and about 34,000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressors.
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For further editorial information contact Chris Butcher on 01582 390980.
For product or sales enquiries please contact 0800 181085.
For further company information contact Joanna Canton Long on 01442 222240.