Editorial

Profitability is everything in a competitive environment. BEKO Technologies, the market leaders in compressed air technology, boast a comprehensive program of systems designed to save energy and improve efficiency in the application of compressed air.

From BEKO’s perspective, one of the key areas requiring attention in most production fa-cilities is the acquisition and analysis of data regarding compressed air use. Indeed, many plant managers are simply unaware of how much air is used or how much each cubic me-tre of air costs.

The DRYPOINT® M PLUS membrane dryers with an integrated nanofilter made by BEKO TECHNOLOGIES, Neuss, Germany, have proven themselves particularly useful when employed downstream of compressors (in satu-rated compressed air which is warmer than the ambient air).

However, there have up to now been restrictions regarding the employment of the DRYPOINT® M PLUS standard dryer, primarily in plant construction or in mobile sys-tems because of the limited installation height in certain applications.  
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To meet new requirements, Airchannel has installed a new CompAir L132 SR Rotary screw compressor at leading technical glassware producer, Potters Ballotini, part of the global Potters Industries group.

As the world leader in glass bead impact technology, Potters is continually developing and refining its manufacturing procedures to ensure consistently high quality glass spheres, which are tested to conform to every market specification.

To ensure customers can immediately comply with current regulations, Airchannel, the UK’s leading independent compressed air specialist, is providing an integrated Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) as part of its complete service.

On installation of a new compressed air system or new equipment being added to an existing installation, users are required to have a WSE in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, SI 2000 No. 128, before the system can be legally operated.

BEKO Technologies UK service department has recently won the contract to validate compressed air quality on all co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM’s) at a major aerospace company in Derby.

CMM’s are used to accurately measure manufactured components, vital in an industry such as aero-engines.

Each CMM is protected by a membrane or adsorption dryer, and the new contract involves regular site visits to check and service the dryers and ensure the CMM’s are given the very best quality of compressed air, which is vital for their accurate and reliable function. A complete air quality test is made on each CMM and a report issued to the customer.

Michell Instruments’ MDM300 advanced dew-point hygrometer can save engineers weeks of waiting time each year.

Recent research into the operation of Michell Instruments’ ceramic sensor technology has helped the MDM300 provide faster measurements. Dew points as low as -70°C can now be measured accurately in less than 10 minutes – faster in many cases. This super-fast response does not rely on the sensor being dried by a desiccant, which means that every measurement is fast – not just the first of the day – allowing for many more measurements to be taken each day.

To meet new requirements, Airchannel has installed a new CompAir L132 SR Rotary screw compressor at leading technical glassware producer, Potters Ballotini, part of the global Potters Industries group. As the world leader in glass bead impact technology, Potters is continually developing and refining its manufacturing procedures to ensure consistently high quality glass spheres, which are tested to conform to every market specification.

The company recently installed a new bagging line at its Barnsley production facility to handle increased volumes and as a result the air consumption increased from 400 cubic feet per minute (CFM) to 800 CFM. To meet this need, and to maximise efficiency, a new compressed air solution was required.

To help businesses cope with the current tough economic conditions, Airchannel Limited is launching PaySmart, a new way of financing a company’s compressed air needs. As well as new equipment, PaySmart covers the fitting of new pipework and ancillaries along with full installation.

Subject to the package selected, it is backed by a regular programme of maintenance and free on site breakdown cover with a four-hour response time. It allows customers to obtain the latest technology at a fixed cost that is spread equally over between three and five years, avoiding a high capital outlay, and benefits from full tax relief.

BEKO Technologies is further extending its product range by launching their first e-learning course - “The Basics of Compressed Air Technology”. This innovative course is now available to all customers and partners, giving them the chance to share and benefit from BEKO’s vast experience in compressed air.

The course “Basics of Compressed Air Technology” gives an insight into compressed air from the end users point of view. It provides information about applications and their quality requirements as well as how compressed air is produced and distributed.

More and more often, industrial applications expect mobility and flexibility from compressed-air processing. For example for the employment at different sites or outdoors. A solution to that is the installation of complete compressed-air stations in transportable sea containers. These mobile performance centres make special demands on the technology applied, in particular as far as compressed-air drying is concerned.

A company which recognised the growing need for mobile compressed-air stations particularly early is Karl Uhl GmbH in Bochum, Germany. For 80 years now already, the experts from the Ruhr area have operated as wholesalers and service providers of compressed-air technology.