Streamlined production line for BMW
3rd Quarter 2015
Pneumatic systems & components
By replacing its older and larger plant air compressors with two smaller Ingersoll Rand Centac C400 centrifugal air compressors at its Rosslyn manufacturing plant, BMW South Africa will potentially save over a million rand per year in reduced electricity consumption. The new compressors will provide 7 bar of oil-free air at a flow rate of 60 m³/min in order to power the facility’s line instrumentation, which includes actuators, operating valves and cylinders used in advancing the vehicles and various workpieces along the production line.
The original Ingersoll compressors were providing a surplus of pneumatic power that could not be used and the fitment of a more accurately specified compressor solution was an important cornerstone of a more efficient production line. The C400s provide around 33% less compressed air capacity.
The two machines are automatically regulated through Ingersoll Rand’s Integrated Multiple Machine Control (IMMC) intelligent controller. The IMMC automatically collaborates the performance of each compressor, providing a seamless air supply in the event of a unit changeover and balancing the machines when they run in tandem. The C400 provides a flexible compressed air solution that supplies oil-free air in a diverse array of industries and applications. The absence of vaporised lubricant in the pneumatic supply eliminates contamination of instruments, which ultimately reduces maintenance. Additionally, intervals for lubricant change are increased exponentially. Ingersoll Rand will maintain the machine over its service life.
For more information contact Paul Horwell, Ingersoll Rand, +27 (0)11 565 8639, [email protected], www.ingersollrandproducts.com
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