MAROX uses Atlas Copco compressors
MAROX Corporation is a contract manufacturer specializing in high precision machining servicing the medical industry with implants, external fixations, and surgical instruments.
MAROX Corporation is a contract manufacturer specializing in high precision machining servicing the medical industry with implants, external fixations, and surgical instruments. In addition, they manufacture aerospace components to demanding specifications.
Last year, they celebrated their 50th year in business. Their ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturing facility operates 24/7, and to lose air would be as catastrophic to their business as losing electricity. That’s why MAROX maintains 2 Atlas Copco plant air compressors at the ready all the time. Before MAROX moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts, they used Atlas Copco rotary screw units to service their plant air needs. But when they moved, they decided to upgrade to two new compressors.
MAROX was committed to staying with Atlas Copco because they were happy with the service and the reliability of the compressors. After researching, they decided to purchase two variable speed drive compressors. The GA variable speed drive compressors are state-of-the art and fit into the MAROX philosophy of a reliable production environment. They are built to follow the fluctuating demand for air by varying the speed of their drive motors.
They reduce energy consumption to a minimum by completely eliminating unloaded power consumption, saving up to 22% on the total lifecycle cost. Even so,these were a new type of compressor to MAROX, and, Brian Rosenkranz, Vice President, immediately saw the benefits. “We haven’t quantified the energy savings against the old compressors, since we are in a new location and we wouldn’t be comparing apples to apples, but there is no question that the energy cost savings are dramatic,” says Rosenkranz. But costs are only one benefit. There are others.
Rosenkranz explains, “The compressors provide steady, non-fluctuating pressure. We have a holding tank to help maintain pressure in the event there is a large immediate demand. We’ve also worked it that if one compressor goes down, the other will take over automatically. Because of some operations’ sensitivity, the compressors used in their process must not deliver any moisture with the air.
That’s why MAROX purchased the integrated refrigerant dryer feature. “Using the refrigerant dryer,” Rosenkranz says, “we haven’t had any problems with the water in our lines. This is very important to us. For instance, we power very high speed 100,000 rpm hand tools. If they get just a trace of moisture, they’re junk.” MAROX takes good care of their machines, since they need state-of-the-art equipment. They have a complete heat recirculating system in the winter, and in the summer they have fans which pull heat out of the room.
This ensures them the right environment for optimum service from their machines. Rosenkranz sums it up, “We utilize up-to-date manufacturing concepts such as Lean Manufacturing and high-tech integrated computer systems. Our machinery consists of modern CNC equipment such as palletized horizontal machining centers, five-axis vertical machining centers, and up to twelve-axis swiss type lathes. We mostly do CNC machining, we have several horizontal and vertical machining centers. Our customers rely on our “Dock-to-Stock” deliveries and that is why our machines must perform all the time. Down-time of machines is not an option for us. Under these conditions a constant supply of compressed air is an absolute necessity, the very reason why we are relying on Atlas Copco to be our manufacturing partner.”
In short, reliability and a steady pressure supply is very important to MAROX. The Atlas Copco VSD compressors deliver all of that, all the time. Not to mention, the varying air demand pattern and the motor speed regulation are the most efficient compressor control methods available. MAROX is still counting up the savings they are accruing with less energy consumption and with non-stop productivity.
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