Energy efficiency in machine tools

When buying a new car, refrigerator or an air conditioner, energy efficiency is an important issue to consider. A look at the European Union energy label clearly shows the relation between energy expended and performance achieved. Class A means the highest energy efficiency.

These same energy efficiency standards are also very important to all of us in the machine tool industry. The ISO/DIS 14955-1 standard provides a valuable framework for companies that prioritise efficiency. Putting machines and systems to the test can help to save a lot of energy. This not only refers to the production stage. The focus must also be on the time of standby, simulation and implementation ("ready for operation'): this can be seen in power supply units that run continuously or lamps that are always on.

Murrelektronik can help achieve these maximum energy efficiency standards. Murrelektronik offers easy-to-implement approaches that can immediately increase the energy efficiency while also reducing energy consumption.

Murrelektronik's focus is on two approaches:

• Integrating highly energy efficient components and/or replacing obsolete loads in existing machines and systems
• Conceptual approaches targeting those machine groups that are not involved in production processes and are temporarily switched to a resting state

Murrelektronik's power supply units help to achieve higher energy efficiency. One example is Emparro. Emparro power supplies have a remarkable efficiency rating of about 95 per cent. This means Emparro significantly reduces the energy costs. Moreover, Emparro emits only little heat energy - no chance to fry eggs. The components next to Emparro are exposed to less thermal stress, which has a positive effect on their lifetime.

Murrelektronik's MB Redundancy Balance works hand in hand with Emparro to create an even more energy efficient system. This intelligent control cabinet module puts both power supply units under an equal load, which is the best operating mode for energy efficiency. But this isn't all: MB Redundancy Balance operates using MOSFET technology so the internal consumption of the modules is up to 87 per cent lower than conventional diode modules.

Choosing the right lighting systems can also help with energy savings. To help in this area, Murrelektronik offers Modlight signal towers. They indicate operating conditions using very bright LEDs. Besides being maintenance-free for over 100,000 operating hours, the decisive benefit regarding energy consumption is that the output features an excellent relation to the power input.

Murrelektronik's Modlight XTREME 440 machine lights are another example of this technology. They also feature LEDs that illuminate machine rooms in daylight quality, instead of power guzzling fluorescent lamps that often give up the ghost when exposed to vibrations. Modlight XTREME 440 can be continuously dimmed, which increases the energy efficiency.

How small improvements can result in big energy savings can be seen when relays are replaced by optocouplers from Murrelektronik. Thanks to their low inrush current the input power is substantially reduced. And the hold current is more than 50 per cent lower. This adds up to impressive savings in large systems and machines.

The MSUD valve plugs with capacitor reducers were designed according to a similar approach. These pre-wired form A valve connectors supply 100 per cent power when starting up. When a system is on hold, the consumption is reduced by 40-60 per cent. In machines where many valves are controlled, this significantly contributes to low energy efficiency.

Murrelektronik's conceptual approach makes it possible to completely shut down machine components when they are not needed. Murrelektronik's intelligent control cabinet component and electrical current monitoring system, MICO+, is designed for these installations. It enables energy savings in a simple way. Murrelektronik's Cube67 bus modules work in a similar way.

All of these options show there are many ways to improve the energy efficiency in machine tools and systems. It also clearly shows how easily they can be implemented. And for any of your systems, Murrelektronik can help you find the right option.

For more about Energy efficiency in machine tools please visit www.murrelektronik.co.uk.