A LITTLE CAN
GO A LONG WAY
Compressed air is typically consumed
Traditionally, end users look at their operations holistically. They
are not concerned with the day-to-day operations of just one
machine but rather with how the factory operates - as a whole.
in these factories in large amounts,
across various applications and
machinery. When looking to deploy
efficient air management systems, it can be
difficult to know where to start. This is where
SMC comes in.
SMC’s AirMaS Technology and the Air
Management System (AMS) can be the right tool
to provide the compressed air efficiencies on
existing plant machinery and processes.
“We take into consideration the two elements
of compressed air energy. Namely, pressure
and flow. This improved air management can
be installed on existing lines to assist with
controlling energy,” says energy conservation
group manager, Bill Blyth.
SMC Corporation ANZ has a team of engineers
who works with customers to establish firstly
how much air is being used, the profile of energy
consumption and what target they would like to
achieve.
The team can then install monitoring and
reapply more efficient compressed air energy
using various standard SMC componentry and
technology to get as close as possible to the
desired target across each application.
A success story
One such success story is that of a food
producer in Victoria. They made use of
a high-speed filling and case packing
machine which required large volumes of air
consumption. An analysis of the current air flow
and pressure energy was taken by installing
pressure, flow and power monitoring.
These tests were conducted during actual
production and the results were in ‘real time’
without affecting site operation. Typically, the
technology is introduced alongside the existing
F A C T O R Y
air control to ensure there is no interruption
to production whilst SMC commissions the
applications for optimum results.
“When you analyse the air consumption profile
graphs it becomes very obvious where the
inefficiencies lie and where you are using much
more than you need,” says Bill.
A recipe for success
There are a few standard components which
need to be in place says Bill.
“These include strategically placed monitoring
and compressed air pressure and volume control
devices and technology. This forms the basic
bones of the AMS system.
“From here, we test the compressed air profiles
and through adjustments we are able to
accurately match the most efficient air profile
using standard componentry to the existing
system to deliver the desired outcome.”
The key factors that the energy conservation
team considers during this process to establish
a healthy system is controlled flow and pressure,
most efficient demand profile, eliminate
artificial demand and continual waste (leakage)
monitoring.
By running the live trials with the customer, an
Air Management System was configured from
standard components to suit the factory and
machine layout.
“A little goes a long way and we are here to
assist every step of the way,” says Bill.
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FT703
www.foodtechnology.co.nz 37
/www.foodtechnology.co.nz
