Vacuum system saves energy for Noelle + von Campe

Atlas Copco has supplied German glass producer Noelle + von Campe with three GHS 4600 VSD+ screw vacuum pumps. The Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series of vacuum pumps are a range of highly efficient, intelligent vacuum pumps with Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology.

Vacuum technology has a major influence on sustainability in glass production – because stable vacuum is needed in many processes. Atlas Copco specialises in providing energy-efficient, intelligent, and sustainable vacuum solutions to manufacturers worldwide.

Noelle + von Campe produces individual glass packaging for bottling companies. The individualised bottles and jars are given their shape and the final touch using vacuum technology. The final touch includes adding a customer’s logo or name. When shaping the glass, better embossing of the logo or any lettering is achieved if the trapped air between the glass mould and the actual glass has been removed as best as possible.

With an output of 650 million jars per year, the right vacuum system is an important element for the efficiency of the entire plant for Noelle + von Campe. Atlas Copco, with its application expertise and experience in supplying vacuum pumps to the glass industry, knows the exact requirements of the market. It has a long history in partnering with glass manufacturers. Its solutions and installations are made to measure for each individual customer. This was one of the reasons Noelle + von Campe chose Atlas Copco’s GHS VSD+ oil-injected screw vacuum pumps for their production facility.

The use of vacuum technology alone saves a lot of energy: the same production result could also be achieved with compressed air but would consume more energy. With its innovative motor concept for glass production, the Atlas Copco GHS VSD+ series is a highly energy-efficient oil-lubricated vacuum pump range: with the VSD variable speed control, the screw pumps can be adapted precisely and quickly to the respective vacuum requirement. Variable speed and the set point control offers optimum vacuum levels. The GHS VSD+ vacuum pumps installed at Noelle + von Campe have saved around 27% in energy costs.

The reduced energy consumption isn’t the only advantage of the GHS VSD+ vacuum solution. The entire vacuum supply at Noelle + von Campe is now more stable than before. “When we change tools or adapt our processes, for example, the new central vacuum system continues to reliably supply our entire production,” reports Timo Scherf, the head of maintenance for plant 1 at Noelle + von Campe. “This was an important factor for us, because the reliable, uninterrupted vacuum supply in turn has a direct effect on the quality of our end products. And when it comes to the quality of our jars and bottles, neither we nor our customers make any compromises.”

According to Atlas Copco sales engineer Oliver Heitjohann, further cost reductions are generated by the ES central control: “The intelligent system coordinates the use of the vacuum pumps with each other – this saves even more costs, also for maintenance and electricity. The customers also achieve significantly faster amortisation.”

The ES16 central controller can monitor and control multiple GHS VSD+ vacuum pumps simultaneously. The smart control system balances and optimises the performance of all machines, reducing the overall energy consumption. Compared to competitor products, the intervals between maintenance are also longer.

Other note-worthy features of the GHS 4600 VSD+ vacuum pump is its low noise level, space-saving design and the fact that the pumps are supplied in a single, compact housing. The installation is ‘plug and play’ and is correspondingly uncomplicated.