Atlas Copco

Atlas Copco on-site nitrogen generation saves LaserMaster up to £30,000 a year

Atlas Copco — 18/08/2021

Laser metal cutting and fabrication specialists, LaserMaster has switched from bulk delivery of nitrogen, essential for the process, to an Atlas Copco on-site, high pressure nitrogen generation container unit. A move that ensures a continual, unlimited supply of high purity nitrogen, independent of bulk deliveries, and saves the company around £2,500 a month.

Find out more about this amazing story here.

Now is the time to upgrade your air compressors, nitrogen & oxygen generators, taking advantage of the super-deduction tax break on capital asset purchases

Atlas Copco — 26/04/2021

Following the super-deduction announcement made in the budget, the coming two years are a great time for UK manufacturers to invest in new plant and machinery, including air compressors, low pressure blowers, dryers, chillers and industrial gas generators.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Atlas Copco marine compressors provide air power for RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel

Atlas Copco — 09/11/2020

Shipbuilders Cammell Laird Construction has installed Atlas Copco marine-duty compressors aboard one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world, RRS Sir David Attenborough.

The new polar ship, commissioned by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), built by Cammell Laird and operated by British Antarctic Survey is a research platform that will transform how shipborne science is conducted in the Polar Regions. Its commissioning is part of a significant government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. This £200m commitment represents the UK Government’s most substantial investment in polar science since the 1980s.

10 ways to save money on your compressor installation in the Midlands

Atlas Copco — 15/10/2020

Atlas Copco, experts in compressor technology, are holding a webinar on 30th October on ways manufacturers can save money on compressor installation in the Midlands.

70% of the money spent on your compressors is used on Energy and therefore Atlas feel it is important manufacturers know how they can save costs on installation.

You can register for the event on 30th October at 11 am by clicking here. If you can't make it, you can still sign up to receive a link to watch the webinar recording.

7 ways to reduce your air compression costs

Atlas Copco — 19/12/2023

Reducing energy consumption has never been more important. With energy prices at an all-time high, using less energy can deliver big savings. Controlling energy usage can also deliver production efficiencies, contributing to a more sustainable business operation.

About 10% of the world’s energy is used for compressing air, so this should be a prime focus for any business wanting to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition, energy represents around 80% of the lifetime cost of your compressor, so compressed air efficiency is the number one priority to reduce your operational costs substantially.

Atlas Copco offers the following seven recommendations to curb energy use when compressing air. Some of these recommendations are easy and quick to implement. Others require some investment: but the energy savings mean that these interventions will quickly pay for themselves.

Reduce your air pressure
Reducing air pressure not only saves energy and reduces cost, but can also extend the maintenance intervals for seals or diaphragms because they will be subjected to less stress. If your compressed air system produces 10 bar of pressure but it only takes 7 bar to power your equipment, then you are wasting 3 bar. That might not seem like a lot, but the impacts are cumulative. For every bar that you lower the pressure of your compressed air system, your energy consumption will go down by about 7%. Frequent evaluation of your system requirements will deliver the best results.

If you own multiple compressors, consider using a smart central controller, which will ensure that each compressor delivers the correct pressure to multiple applications (if the applications require different pressure setpoints). This solution also eliminates pressure reducers, which would otherwise waste energy. Another way to reduce your pressure setpoint is to review your air distribution system. Small-diameter piping, excessive bends, couplings, filters, and pressure reducers have a big impact on the total pressure drop of a system. Seek opportunities to increase the diameter where necessary, remove pressure reducers and increase the size of installed filter packages. And don't forget to reduce your pressure setpoint to enable those savings afterwards.

Eliminate air leakages

Almost every compressed air system has leaks – and these can be very costly. Most compressed air users do not realize that up to 30% of their energy – and an average of 20% – is lost due to leaks in their piping. Quite literally, this is your money vanishing into thin air.

There are many ways to pinpoint leakage. They range from highly sophisticated scanners to low-technology methods. For example, you can simply apply soapy water to areas in which you suspect leaks. If there is a leak, you will see the formation of bubbles. Another simple solution is to isolate unused tools to eliminate leaks inside this equipment. The most accurate method is using ultrasonic air leak detection equipment. This operates without interrupting plant operation, reaches system areas that are hard to access, and locates all air leaks and reports the results, allowing maintenance teams to quickly locate and prioritise repairs based on the severity of the leaks.

Optimise your ambient temperature

Ambient temperature plays a major role in keeping your energy bill low. For every reduction of 5°C, you can achieve energy savings of 1.5%.

Indeed, the conditions in your compressor room – or the room in which your compressor is located – make a major difference to the performance of the equipment. Make sure that you run your compressors in clean, cool, and well-ventilated environments. Keep the air in the room free from dust and moisture to ensure that the compressed air is not contaminated and doesn’t have to be treated more than necessary. Eliminating the need for aftercoolers, dryers and filters also saves energy. Another possibility is getting your intake air from the outside, especially in cooler environments.

Perform regular maintenance

Regular check-ups and energy audits not only extend the lifespan of your compressed air equipment but also help make it more efficient. This type of maintenance optimises the performance of the entire system, which reduces the amount of energy it consumes. One great example of this is that regularly replacing wear parts will reduce leaks, while periodic inspections will help detect them.

But don’t just wait to perform maintenance when it is scheduled. Many tools and technologies are now available that will allow you to carry out predictive and preventive maintenance to keep your compressors in the best possible working order.

Respect the service life of your machine

No matter how well you maintain your compressed air equipment, its effectiveness and efficiency will diminish over time. Hanging on to older machines is a false economy because they get more expensive to operate – both in terms of energy consumption and upkeep costs. In addition, you will fail to take advantage of the improvements that are being made all the time in compressor technology, such as the evolution of variable speed drive (VSD) technology.

Over 25 years ago, Atlas Copco introduced the first compressor whose motor speed would automatically adjust to the air demand. This resulted in energy savings of 35% over conventional fixed-speed compressors. The latest version of these compressors – the GA VSD^S series – can reduce your compressor’s energy consumption by up to 60%. So, while some businesses may shy away from making new investments, especially at a time of high energy prices, new and more efficient equipment will often pay for itself very quickly because your operating expenses decrease.

Recover heat

Compressing air not only consumes a lot of energy, but it also generates a lot of heat. You could simply allow this heat to go to waste (if you do, at least make sure it is not released inside your compressor room to keep the ambient temperature low - see point 3). A better alternative is to harness this heat, effectively reusing the power consumed during the compression process to reduce your energy bill. The recovered heat can be used for a variety of different applications, such as heating water, replacing furnaces or in drying processes.

In many cases, heat recovery does not require a major investment. For example, you can simply connect the compressor hot outlet to your HVAC ducting in the winter to heat your facilities, or you could install an energy recovery kit and heat up water for use elsewhere in your facilities.

Use green energy

There is no way around the fact that compressing air uses quite a bit of energy – at least not yet. However, what you can do is make sure that all or most of it is green energy. This may involve installing solar panels or wind turbines to power your production (this recommendation is obviously not limited to your compressed air equipment). While this can constitute a significant investment, many governments will now subsidise renewable energy installations as part of their climate protection strategy. On-site renewables can certainly lower your costs and significantly reduce your CO₂ output. Talking to the experts and doing the maths will prove whether this is a good investment.

Next steps

If you want to reduce your compressed air consumption but are unsure where to start, Atlas Copco offers its AIRchitect service, which is free to any compressed air user. We will monitor your compressed air usage for 7-10 days. Using the collected data, our experts compile a comprehensive report tailored specifically to your operation. That means there are no generic suggestions, just real recommendations on how you can save energy. It’s entirely up to you whether you then implement them.

For more information, read Atlas Copco’s eBook ‘7 easy ways to reduce your air compression costs’ https://www.atlascopco.com/en-uk/compressors/guides-and-ebooks/ebook-green-production

Atlas Copco introduces SMARTCLAMP performance monitoring solution for compressors under 30 kW

Atlas Copco — 14/08/2020

Atlas Copco’s smart solution for compressor and vacuum pump performance monitoring where no built-in controller is fitted, the easy-to-install SMARTCLAMP gathers valuable insights on the running hours and service status of equipment rated up to 30kW.

Paul Clark, Business Line Manager of Atlas Copco Compressor Technique Service Sales & Marketing commented: “With SMARTCLAMP, no extra energy source is needed for operation, as it is simply attached to the incoming power cord to harvest energy from the machine while it is running.”

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Live Webinar, June 22nd 10am. When and how to select an oil-free compressor to enhance your product quality

Atlas Copco — 16/06/2022

Live Webinar: When and how to select an oil-free compressor to enhance your product quality

A webinar dedicated to manufacturers with a sensitive production environment, where air purity is a critical consideration

Learn about the uses of oil-free air, the difference between oil-free and ‘technically oil-free’ compressors, & how you can make savings on energy and maintenance costs.

Topics covered include: The risks associated with oil-in-air contamination, how oil-free air compressors work, the difference between oil-free and technically oil-free, how you can save on costs and more.

Register here

About the presenter:

Mark Ranger has more than 36 years' experience in the compressed air industry. He is an expert in oil-free compressed air and is passionate about compressed air standards and energy-efficiency. He is currently a business line manager at Atlas Copco Compressors as well as the President of the British Compressed Air society.

Compressor upgrade earns energy-saving bonus for custom design and prototyping specialist

Atlas Copco — 14/08/2020

When Fabricon Design Ltd replaced its existing compressor installation with an Atlas Copco 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%.

A week-long iiTrak study of the regular compressed air usage pattern revealed what the savings would be by having an upgrade.

Atlas Copco celebrates 150 years of innovation!

Atlas Copco — 28/02/2023

2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the Atlas Copco Group and one and a half centuries of pioneering industrial innovation.

Starting with a single Swedish venture, we have grown into an expansive group of brands spanning the entire globe.

Atlas Copco, founded in Stockholm in 1873, today celebrates its 150-year anniversary. For a century and a half, Atlas Copco has been driving development and delivering breakthrough innovations to customers in many different industries.

We are extremely proud of our past, and we continue to shape the future through our technologies and service solutions, much has changed since 1873 when we were a small local start-up. But I think our founders would recognize our innovative spirit, the passion shown by our employees and our dedication to driving development together with our customers.

Mats Rahmström , CEO and President, Atlas Copco Group

Atlas Copco was founded in Stockholm, Sweden, and initially delivered equipment for the construction of the Swedish railroad system. Since then, the Group has evolved and today supports customers in many different industries, enabling everything from food production to space travel.

We have a very strong company culture of welcoming different perspectives and empowering our employees to make decisions, I believe a large part of our success is built on our ability to adapt, while always focusing on delivering value for our customers. We would like to thank all our customers, suppliers, owners, and colleagues around the world and look forward to good cooperation in the years to come.

Mats Rahmström , CEO and President, Atlas Copco Group

'We produce what we need when we need it' - Atlas Copco nitrogen skid helps Four Dee take control of their N2

Atlas Copco — 05/10/2020

Why buy nitrogen when you can generate and store your own?

Atlas Copco nitrogen generation offers the sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to pre-filled cylinders or liquid supply. The Nitrogen Skid provides an independent source of nitrogen, when you need it and at the lowest cost to eliminate ordering, transportation and delivery expenses.

Four Dee NI Ltd. is a steel fabrications company which was founded in 1995 by four Donnelly brothers. It is based in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, and has continued to grow over 25 years. As part of 2019 expansion plans, they decided to implement an Atlas Copco high-pressure nitrogen (HPN2) skid application on site in Magherafelt.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Atlas Copco has acquired a UK Compressed Air Distributor and Service Provider

Atlas Copco — 16/04/2021

Atlas Copco has acquired Cooper Freer Ltd., a UK company.

The company's customers are mainly industrial, water treatment and service companies active in the Midlands region.

Atlas Copco releases whitepaper outlining untapped opportunities for UK manufacturers to save energy and reduce carbon footprint via compressed air heat recovery

Atlas Copco — 10/08/2020

Atlas Copco has published a new whitepaper to highlight the vast unfulfilled potential of compressed air heat recovery as means of helping UK manufacturing firms to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint.

The principal message to industry is that up to 94% of the energy supplied to a compressor is recoverable as heat and up to 90% of industrial compressors in the UK could be equipped with a waste heat recovery system.

Commenting on the release of the whitepaper, Alexander Pavlov, General Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors UK & Ireland, said: “The content underscores the reality that heat generated by compressors can often be harnessed almost in its entirety to help reduce energy usage and costs substantially. At the same time, it limits CO2 emissions and assists companies in achieving their carbon savings targets.”

Not only does the whitepaper identify the compressed air waste heat utilisation opportunities, it also reviews the established recovery methods, outlines the untapped carbon reductions and the energy savings potential for compressor users.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website and download your whitepaper by clicking here.

Atlas Copco Compressors UK embarks on its Green Journey to support the Group's climate ambitions

Atlas Copco — 19/12/2023

As a world leader in compressed air and industrial gas technology, Atlas Copco Compressors UK has embarked upon a Green Journey to support Atlas Copco Group’s global strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the entire value chain.

This includes making further reductions in the energy consumed in its own operations, such as manufacturing sites, offices, and vehicles, as well as reducing emissions during the use of its products by supplying more energy-efficient solutions that enable customers to achieve major reductions in energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint within their own downstream applications.

The Green Journey

Rather than being directed only from the top down, the Green Journey initiative has been structured to include employees all across Atlas Copco Compressors UK who have volunteered to help define, shape and enact the company’s Green Journey. These employees are tasked with developing and promoting a range of activities and policies that the wider company can follow to reduce its carbon footprint. The initiatives must be lasting, with tangible benefits, and able to be woven seamlessly into the working life.

Right across the industrial landscape reliance on renewable energy sources like wind or solar power alone is not enough to offset greenhouse gas emissions. The industry has to help reduce the global energy demand and make more efficient use of the energy it consumes. Atlas Copco can contribute to reducing the industry’s electricity consumption by continuing to develop energy-efficient products used by all industrial sectors.

Science-Based targets

At current rates, greenhouse gas emissions are predicted to increase average global temperatures by 4–6°C by the end of this century, resulting in unmanageable climate change. To avoid this outcome more has to be done and at a much faster rate.

When a company sets Science-Based targets it is a commitment to ensure the company’s emissions are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change reached in 2015 when 195 of the world’s governments pledged every effort to prevent the worst effects of climate change Setting high climate ambitions at a company level will help governments achieve their targets.

Science-based targets focus on greenhouse gas emissions reduction. They are based on the ‘carbon budget’ – the emissions permitted that will keep temperature increases within the limits set by the Paris Agreement. These endeavours work to limit the average global temperature increase to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit temperature increases to no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

To give a true picture of their contribution, science-based targets are validated by the independent Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) which assesses and approves companies’ targets in line with its strict performance criteria.

Atlas Copco’s Science-Based targets

Fully committed to being part of the solution for a better tomorrow, the Atlas Copco Group has set itself science-based targets that will contribute towards achieving a low-carbon society.

One of its approved science-based targets has been established that aims to reduce the emissions from the company’s direct operations by 46% by the year 2030 when compared to a 2019 baseline.

Another approved target is to reduce the carbon impact of products in use by 28% by the year 2030 when compared to the 2019 base level of emissions.

Finally, there are additional requirements to reduce water usage, achieve a 100% rate of waste recycling or reuse, and increase the number of sub-suppliers who operate with an approved Environmental Management System in place.

The main benefit of having such targets is that they inspire new ways of thinking, new initiatives and the actions needed for positive change. Atlas Copco’s Green Journey is one such initiative that demonstrates a conviction by both employees and management that it has the means to reduce its customers’ emissions.

The considerable number of companies that have committed to setting science-based targets shows a groundswell in climate ambition and brings with it more confidence about being on track to prevent the worst effects of climate change. There are clear benefits for businesses in setting science-based targets. To endorse that view, across the industry, companies report that adopting a science-based target boosts profitability, improves investor confidence, drives innovation, reduces regulatory uncertainty, and strengthens brand reputation.

Green applications

Atlas Copco challenges itself to develop and deliver even more energy-saving solutions for its customers and to apply its solutions within more ‘green applications’, as defined by the EU taxonomy. These applications facilitate the transition to a low-carbon society or help protect the environment. To be considered green, they should contribute to the environmental objectives in the taxonomy, not adversely affect any of the environmental objectives and comply with minimum safeguards.

Some typical examples of a green application that might use Atlas Copco compressed air, industrial gas or process cooling products are the biogas industry that collects fuel gas from decaying organic matter; recycling plants that can repurpose waste material into a usable form; and companies that process hazardous materials. Some other production industries are also classed as green applications, such as electric vehicles and electric car battery manufacturers.

Energy-efficient solutions

In a production environment, going greener is all about energy efficiency. For example, conducting a non-intrusive energy audit to measure the efficiency of an existing compressed air installation, involving the use of a data logger such as Atlas Copco Compressors’ AIRchitect, is the best way to discover possible energy savings within an existing compressed air installation.

With energy making up to 40% of a company’s energy costs and up to 80% of a compressor system’s total cost of ownership, taking steps such as investing in energy-efficient compressor systems, as well as optimising existing systems to use significantly less energy, will see considerable reductions not only in the cost of running air compressors but in a production company’s carbon footprint.

Most industrial compressed air applications experience a fluctuating air demand. By replacing a fixed-speed unit with a variable-speed drive (VSD) compressor that matches output to user demand will realise considerable energy savings overall. A VSD compressor will reliably deliver top-quality air while lowering energy consumption by an average of 50%.

Compressors generate heat that most businesses allow to dissipate as quickly as possible to keep the ambient temperature down. But instead of letting it go to waste, installing a heat recovery system, such as Atlas Copco Compressors’ ER control unit, between the compressor and the cooling- and heating circuits, will recover and re-use up to 90% of the energy required to run a compressor. The hot water, heated up to 90°C and recovered from the compressed air system, can be used for sanitary purposes and space heating but is particularly suitable for process water heating applications.

Future opportunities

The company’s drive towards the transformation to a low-carbon industrial landscape has revealed further opportunities to achieve emission controls. Looking to the future, Atlas Copco challenges itself to develop and deliver even more energy-saving solutions for its customers that will result in lower emissions from its products in use and contribute to climate ambitions.

Cooper Freer 50th Anniversary

Atlas Copco — 02/02/2023

In 2023 Cooper Freer celebrates its 50 year anniversary!

With 50 years of experience in the compressed air industry, Cooper Freer understands its customers' needs well. The company employs a team of highly qualified and factory-trained service professionals who always strive to deliver the best service to their customers and who can be on-site quickly should they have a compressor breakdown.

Cooper Freer was founded in 1973 in Leicester to serve the manufacturing and water treatment industries in the Midlands. It was a distributor of Atlas Copco air compressors and aeration blowers for over 15 years and, following its acquisition by Atlas Copco in 2021, is now a part of Atlas Copco Compressors UK.

It provides compressed air equipment sales, rental, parts, and maintenance across Leicestershire and the surrounding counties, including Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Corby, Peterborough, and Lincoln.

Atlas Copco’s holds MIM virtual breakfast morning

Atlas Copco — 25/06/2020

Since the start of the pandemic, many businesses have struggled to network and build lasting relationships due to the lack of face to face contact. However, the Made in Group is committed to offering a platform to manufacturers that allow them to do this. That’s why we have brought back breakfast mornings in a virtual format.

With the chance to network, share best practices and build relationships with like-minded companies MIM members virtually gathered today for Atlas Copco’s breakfast morning. The event began with a short introduction from all 30+ members, giving them a chance to tell everyone who they are and what they do within their company.

After this Paul Clark, Business Line Manager at Atlas, held a presentation sharing some of their best practices and giving guests insight into their facility through video. Atlas Copco is made up of business divisions Compressor, Vacuum, Industrial and Power Technique.

Their Compressor Technique business area specialises in the production of air compressors using both oil-lubricated and oil-free technologies, as well as blowers, nitrogen and oxygen generators, air and gas treatment equipment and air management systems.

Their compressed air systems are used by industry leaders in the manufacturing, processing and oil & gas sectors. The air compressors they produce are ISO certified, Carbon Trust and BCAS approved. Atlas Copco Compressors UK and its local distributors provide comprehensive services including repairs, compressor parts, ad hoc compressor service, maintenance plans, monitoring and connectivity solutions.

Six years ago the group purchased Tentec - a tooling company that was family-owned for 50 years. Paul told members how the group decided to purchase Tentec in order to create a high-end tool division with an already established brand as he showed members their facility through a short video.

The purpose-built factory was built 3 years ago at Atlas’ facility in Hemel Hempstead and is used for special design and manufacture for bolts, usually used in the oil and gas industry. Following an insight into their tooling facility, members had the chance to look around their compressor house as well as having a look at some related products such as an energy recovery unit - which takes oil and converts it back to hot water, reusing used energy.

Finishing off the event, members networked in smaller groups through breakout sessions. This allows members to have more personalised conversations and build relationships with fellow MIM members.

Join our next #MIM breakfast morning with Comau - a worldwide leader in the industrial automation field. They offer complete engineering solutions, from product development to the realization of industrial process and automation systems, on 9th July 2020. Click here to register.

Metal laser-cutting specialist saves on average £2,500 a month with Atlas Copco on-site nitrogen generation

Atlas Copco — 05/07/2021

Having invested in state-of-the-art laser equipment that would allow faster production turnaround, 24-hour operation, and a variable system for future capacity, Oldham based Laser cutter, ABi Laser found that the equipment’s full potential was hampered by the supply, specification, and costs of delivered nitrogen, which is essential for the process. The situation was remedied when increased productivity, continuity of supply, and substantial cost savings were achieved by the installation of an Atlas Copco on-site, nitrogen generation skid package.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Atlas Copco Compressors sponsors the SOE Safety & Sustainability Awards

Atlas Copco — 18/08/2021

The SOE Safety and Sustainability Awards will celebrate successes in safety and sustainability across the road transport, plant, environment and surveying sectors.

Maintaining and improving environmental performance is key, as is complying with environmental regulations and recommendations. This award is open to all disciplines of engineering and environmental industries.

The event will be held on 7th October at Jaguar Castle Bromwich.

Compressor care in times of crisis

Atlas Copco — 08/06/2020

During unprecedented times, it’s important to consider production equipment health, which will be vital in our recovery back to full productivity. As stated by The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, manufacturing is a critical part of our economy and manufacturers are contributing to the resilience of our nation by providing essential services and materials.

The role of compressed air supply as the 4th utility for industry is well established. No matter what capacity production is running, keeping compressor systems in peak condition eliminates the costs of excessive energy consumption and the risk to output from potential mechanical breakdown.

To ensure care is taken with compressed air equipment, preventative maintenance - such as servicing - must be invested in to ensure uptime is improved. At this time of remote working, remote connectivity could help users know the status of their equipment, enabling them to detect and propose an action plan to prevent any critical situations or downtime in the compressed air supply. Stopping and re-starting air compressors is not just a simple matter of flicking a switch, as specific rules that apply to a range of compressor types must be followed. If production is to be stopped, compressors should be turned off manually, even if they are integrated in a central controller.

Atlas Copco Compressors is working hard to continue availability of products and spare parts, to ensure supply for hospitals and crucial sectors. Service engineers are working hard and following site rules, and government rules, stringently. Together we are keeping everyone safe and compressed air equipment health maintained for optimum performance; both now and in the future.

Alexander Pavlov, General Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors UK & Ireland

Atlas Copco expands into industrial process cooling applications

Atlas Copco — 16/04/2021

Atlas Copco has extended its industrial portfolio to include process cooling equipment.

The newley launched TCX 4-90A is Atlas Copco's first process cooling chiller range, with plans to introduce more new products to the market in 2021 and extend the range to include higher coolng capacities.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

MS therapy centre benefits from Atlas Copco on-site oxygen generation upgrade

Atlas Copco — 16/04/2021

When the South Wales Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Swansea, a member of the national MSNTC charity, was looking to expand its oxygen therapy services to MS patients, the limitations of plant room space and reliance on infrequent oxygen delivery schedules presented major obstacles. Moving to larger premises and installing an Atlas Copco on-site oxygen generation system for 24/7 availability, has resulted in increased therapy capacity, reduced running costs, and the potential for heat recovery energy savings.

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Atlas Copco introduces next generation of compressed air filters

Atlas Copco — 18/08/2021

New filtration solutions from Atlas Copco are set to revolutionise compressed air production systems. Featuring inPASS™ technology, Atlas Copco’s air filters significantly simplify maintenance and reduce costs whilst delivering top in-class performance and reliability.

Find out more here.

MEMBER INVITE: How to massively reduce your nitrogen costs for laser cutting

Atlas Copco — 16/07/2020

On Monday the 27th of July 2020, Made in the Midlands Member Atlas Copco will be hosting a free webinar designed to share their best practices on reducing your nitrogen costs, and they’re inviting the #MiMFamily to join them.

‘’Atlas Copco wants to invite members of the Made in Group to join our How to massively reduce your nitrogen costs for laser cutting live webinar on the 27th July at 2 pm,” That’s the message that Yasmine Hachani from Atlas Copco wants to share with the Made in the Midlands family

The event will be led by Atlas Copco’s nitrogen systems business development manager, Aaron Farghaly, who will show members how they can make savings. Throughout the webinar, the team at Atlas Copco explained some of the key features that you’ll learn about, including:

The cost savings benefits of switching to a nitrogen generator from liquid or bottles.
How to size and select an N2 generation system based on purity, pressure and flow.
The impact of purity on the finish of a laser-cut part.

In the build-up to the event, you can check out Atlas Copco’s website, where they have a detailed breakdown of Nitrogen generation for laser cutting. This will include why you would use it, the benefits, including lower cost, increased production and better control, as well as how they, as a company, can help you as a Manufacturer.

You can sign-up for the free event by clicking on the following link. If you’re not able to make the event, but would like to share in their knowledge, don’t worry! All guests who register will receive a recording of the event.

Atlas Copco nominates Anglian Compressors as Distributor of the Year 2020

Atlas Copco — 05/07/2021

Atlas Copco nominates Anglian Compressors as Distributor of the Year 2020

Presenting the award, Alexander Pavlov, General Manager of Atlas Copco Compressors, commented: “This is a truly impressive achievement. To become first in premier ranking within the company’s nationwide distribution network is due testimony to Anglian’s teamwork, focus and dedication to building strong customer relationships and pro-active technical support. It is particularly gratifying to see them win this accolade in a year challenged by the pandemic, and while their business itself was undergoing a major refurbishment project.”

You can visit the Atlas Copco website to find out more by clicking here.

Under Pressure: Compressed Air Systems Can Make or Break Your Environmental Goals

Atlas Copco — 19/12/2023

Manufacturing’s green revolution is underway as companies take bold strides to reduce their environmental impact. While transformative changes to operations, processes and supply chains are commonplace, compressed air remains largely ignored. This oversight carries a hefty price tag for manufacturers and the planet.

Compressed air is integral to numerous manufacturing operations, from powering pneumatic tools and conveyor systems to applying paint finishes and blasting dirt from machinery. Compressed air is so vital that many refer to it as the fourth utility after electricity, water and natural gas.

This ubiquity comes at a cost. Contrary to perceptions, compressed air is not a free resource. Indeed, compressors can require a tremendous amount of energy. They account for a staggering 10% of industrial electricity use with UK companies spending a combined £1.5bn on compressed air annually.

Worryingly, it’s estimated that as much as 20% to 30% of compressed air is lost through leaks. This has a significant impact on operating costs. A single 3mm hole creates a leak that can add hundreds of pounds a year to electricity bills.

Yet, despite their significant energy consumption and environmental impact, compressed air systems frequently don’t receive the attention they deserve. The most common reasons why include:

Compressors being hidden away in utility rooms or outbuildings leads to an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality.
Production processes and equipment are being prioritised over support systems like compressed air.
Assumptions that because compressed air systems have been historically stable and affordable due to cheap electricity prices, they are inherently efficient.
A lack of specialised knowledge and equipment required to identify and repair leaks or optimise components.

Soaring energy prices have served as a wake-up call, prompting many directors to reevaluate their organisation’s energy consumption and energy-saving strategies.

Historically, businesses were paying 10p to 15p per kilowatt-hour. Lately, we’ve seen prices as high as £1.20 per kWh – a 1,100% increase! As a result, energy efficiency has jumped to the top of boardroom agendas. A return on investment that once may have been measured in years can now be delivered in months. This, coupled with more and more companies setting ambitious, science-based emissions reduction targets, means we are seeing greater interest in getting air compressor systems future-fit for businesses and the planet.

Ben John , Industrial Air Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors UK

A changing landscape has reordered priorities

Industrial decision-makers frequently don’t know the total cost of compressed air in their plant or if their system has leaks. They also don’t know whether they’re producing too much or too little air or whether the pressure level is correct. That’s where Atlas Copco Compressors comes in.

A consequence of being neglected is that compressed air systems won’t keep up with the changing needs of a business. It’s unlikely that compressors will be optimised and benefit from energy-efficient developments like variable speed drive (VSD) technology or compressed air heat recovery. Electricity makes up 70% of a compressor’s total cost of ownership. Increasing the energy efficiency of a system delivers environmental benefits by reducing a company’s carbon footprint, as well as financial savings

Ben John , Industrial Air Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors UK

Variable speed drives make equipment run more efficiently by automatically adjusting the operating speed to match demand in real time. While VSD compressors have been available for some time, Atlas Copco Compressors is looking to introduce its patented VSD technology to secondary equipment like fans, chillers, dryers and filtration systems to deliver additional performance improvements and savings.

Two of Atlas Copco’s customers were each paying 45p per kWh. By upgrading their air compressor equipment, they saved £80,000 and £35,000 a year, respectively. In addition, both achieved double-digit carbon savings and saw a reduction in annual maintenance costs.

Free audit means no excuse not to act

To help companies, Atlas Copco offers three levels of health checks and energy audits for compressed air installations that assess whether there are opportunities for performance or efficiency improvements.

Level 1 is a free visual inspection and energy potential calculation (EPC).

A visual assessment covers information such as the compressor room environment, any air quality issues and a visual inspection of all compressed air equipment on-site, including appropriate capacity, ISO compliance, unproductive running, and pressure levels. A written summary of the equipment health is provided, outlining running equipment improvements, wasteful practices or non-conformance with ISO standards, along with an estimate of potential cost and energy savings.

Level 2 is a free energy assessment and recommendations through data logging (AIRchitect).

Where the EPC shows potential energy savings, the AIRchitect sees logging equipment fitted to each compressor that records and maps energy consumption over seven days. This data is used to calculate a realistic energy savings potential, make simulations and provide recommendations to achieve optimal energy efficiency. A one-week compressed air flow audit of a cement producer revealed potential savings of £23,500 (11% of annual energy costs) through upgrading to VSD+ compressors and a CO2 emissions reduction of 140 tonnes a year.

Level 3 is a full AIRscan audit to ISO 11011 standard.

This premium service assesses a range of parameters, including flow testing, air leak detection, air quality testing, measurement and analysis of pressure and dew point throughout a whole system, from compressor room to production processes.

This assessment helps identify the most suitable methods to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions. While AirScan reporting isn’t free, this audit almost always pays for itself in savings.

If you haven’t had your air compressor system audited in the past 12 or 18 months, I’d urge you to look at undertaking one. It won’t cost you anything. The worst-case scenario is that one of our experienced engineers says your system is working perfectly.

The best-case scenario is you are given a practical, quantifiable roadmap to reduce your electricity consumption, energy bills and carbon footprint. It really is a win-win-win.

Ben John , Industrial Air Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors UK

Atlas Copco compressed air pipework system plays a vital role in Hitachi Rail’s new £8.5 million UK welding & painting facility

Atlas Copco — 08/07/2022

Hitachi Rail has invested £8.5 million to create bespoke welding and painting facilities within its Newton Aycliffe factory, thereby extending its UK role from assembly-only to the complete fabrication and fit-out of units - the first time in decades that a new train welding facility of this type has been created in Britain. Atlas Copco’s successful bid for the design and installation of the 450metre compressed air and argon supply network has played an important role in the company’s on-shoring of crucial high-value aspects of its manufacturing process.

In 2015, Hitachi Rail’s £110 million investment established its highly advanced Northeast manufacturing base with a 700 strong workforce to build 122 pioneering trains as part of the UK government’s Intercity Express Programme, along with 70 zero-emission Class 385 regional trains for Scotland.

The new welding and painting facility now allows Hitachi Rail to complete the build of the high-tech aluminium carriage shells of the next generation of intercity trains for East Midlands Railway and Avanti West.

"We can now design, fabricate, paint, assemble and test trains at this facility, allowing us to be more globally competitive, with the capacity to build a wide range of products, from metros to commuter and high-speed trains."