When Cosworth secured a contract to supply forged pistons to aero-engine manufacturer Lycoming, it turned to compressed air specialists Airchannel to provide the most energy efficient air package for their new piston line.Airchannel Results
The engineering contract has required Cosworth to invest in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing cell, which has enabled Cosworth to produce forged pistons at competitive rates for a much broader range of niche applications.
The machining process is fully automated, once blank pistons have been loaded. Forgings are bead blasted, loaded into the machining line and manufactured to a 9 gram weight tolerance.
CompAir's LSR series of speed regulated compressors incorporates a variable speed switched reluctance drive system which matches power consumption to air demand.
The LSR series compressors are able to accurately maintain a set pressure while responding instantly to changes in air demand.
Maintaining air system pressure at an exact pre-set level eliminates the need to operate within pressure bands, further enhancing energy performance by reducing electrical and mechanical loads.
As part of the contract Airchannel has also installed a Domnick Hunter air dryer and new Transair pipework system for the new production cell to ensure a smooth flow of uninterrupted clean air.
Conclusion
Maintenance Manager Ian Goodridge comments “The new production line represents a massive investment for Cosworth and the supply of economical, clean compressed air is a critical aspect of our work”.
“When we needed a solution to the extra capacity, we turned without hesitation to Airchannel, for advice and trusting in their expertise, we went with their suggested package”.
Already paying its way the new variable speed compressor is expected to pay for itself in energy savings over the course of the next two years.
Combining nationwide coverage with a vast knowledge of the industry, gained from over 40 years of experience, Airchannel, is the largest independent compressed air distributor in the UK, with an unrivalled reputation for reliability.
Martina Fornuskova
Operational Marketing Manager
Airchannel Ltd.
61 Tenter Road
Moulton Park Industrial Estate
Northampton
NN2 7DJ
Tel: 01604 493222
Fax: 01604 647054
www.airchannel.co.uk
