Atlas Copco re-engineers range of small compressors

Atlas Copco's newly launched improvements to its 11-30 kW GA⁺/GA VSD compressor range have resulted in world-class Free Air Delivery (FAD). These oil-injected compressors are probably one of the world's most compact and silent ever to operate on a work floor in this kW range. A new integrated dryer enhances energy efficiency and air quality simultaneously. Now all standard models are built to operate in ambient temperatures of up to 46°C (114.8°F), offer intuitive monitoring interfaces and are equipped with a robust, high efficiency gearbox, completely protected against dirt.

Atlas Copco has redesigned and upgraded its popular fixed speed compressor, the GA 11⁺-30 and the variable speed version, the GA 15-30 VSD. To better match air flow to customers' requirements and eliminate the need to oversize, Atlas Copco has introduced a 26 kW model which is also available with the new generation VSD introduced with the launch. This range of small GA⁺/GA VSD compressors is used in a variety of applications and industries including workshops, assembly, packaging, automotive, woodworking, printing, textiles, construction materials manufacturing, plastics production and moulding and oil and gas activities.

More air for less energy
Greater Free Air Delivery (FAD) means that customers can select smaller compressors for the same applications, saving money and energy. All of the models* in the GA⁺/GA VSD ranges offer world-class FAD. Atlas Copco's engineering breakthroughs have increased FAD of the GA⁺ by a minimum of 7% and even up to 17% compared to the previous GA models. For the GA VSD, the improvement spans from 9% to 24%. (Picture: This range of small GA⁺/GA VSD compressors is used in a variety of applications).

Atlas Copco GA 11⁺-30  fixed speed compressor.

Customers wishing to calculate the increased FAD resulting from the choice of a new Atlas Copco GA 11⁺-30 / GA 15-30 VSD model, or who would like more information, can consult the brochure at: http://propali.atlascopco.be/propali/downloadlit.asp?ProID=117&Lng=EN

Specific Energy Requirement (SER) is the true measure of how much electricity a compressor will use. With improvements of 3-11% for the GA⁺ and 11-13% for the GA VSD, the newly launched compressors from Atlas Copco have one of the best SERs achievable today, making them amongst the most energy efficient on the market. (Energy consumption can be reduced even further in the full feature version by integrating the dryer in the unit).

The new generation technology of the variable speed drive (VSD) increases performance, shows lower sensitivity to dust and achieves standard very low harmonic distortion. Energy savings of 35% on average can be obtained by adopting a VSD model (instead of a GA⁺), resulting in faster payback times. Additionally, 80% of the compressor's energy consumption can be recuperated (e.g. for water and air heating in industrial processes or for direct use on site) with the now standard option to connect an energy recovery system.

Smaller, quieter
Size and noise are both barriers to installing compressors closer to where air is used. The further away they are installed, the more energy is lost through pressure drops. Pressure drops of just 0.5 bar(e) with a 22 kW machine are equivalent to the electricity consumption of one household. With a very small footprint, each of the new GA⁺/GAVSD models in this range now takes up even less space. They are characterised by the lowest noise levels ever achieved by Atlas Copco in this range, bringing them to a leading position; with the GA 11⁺ as silent as 63 dBA. All enhancements have a direct positive impact in workshop environments by improving operator comfort.

A step ahead in monitoring and controls
The new and improved graphical Elektronikon raises Atlas Copco's standards in control and monitoring. The re-engineered GA⁺/GA VSD is the first compressor range to be equipped with this user-friendly controller developed by Atlas Copco engineers. Its unique control algorithms save energy by operating the compressor at optimal levels while the advanced timers optimise servicing intervals. (Energy consumption is further reduced by the Patented Saver Cycles that control both the fan and optional dryer).

Drive for overall efficiency
The record-breaking improvements on the GA 11⁺-30 and GA 15-30 VSD range underline Atlas Copco's commitment to innovating so its customers can count on more energy savings and enhanced performance from their compressors day in, day out.

*The only exception concerns the GA 30, which, depending on customer requirements, is sometimes replaced by the entry-level model of the GA 30-45 range.

AZS⁺ dry rotary screw positive displacement blower range
Atlas Copco Compressors' ZS⁺ dry rotary screw positive displacement blower range presents a completely new and innovative solution to oil-free process air requirements. (The ZS⁺ dry rotary screw positive displacement blower is pictured on the right).

Compared to conventional, belt-driven roots blowers, the ZS⁺ is probably the most cost-effective compressed air solution available to optimise the pressure, volume and air treatment equipment for each production process.

With  gear-driven dry screw elements and fully integrated drive motor, filtration and controller to ensure optimum efficiency and reliability, the ZS⁺ range provides the ultimate, all-in-one, fully integrated compact silenced package designed to reduce energy requirements by up to 40%.

The many innovative features of the ZS⁺ series of blowers are the result of Atlas Copco's decades of experience in oil-free design and manufacturing, uniting advanced technologies with world class-leading design.

For instance, the compression principle is simple and internal, allowing for increased efficiency. Two helicoidal rotors, one with four lobes and the other with six flutes, turn into each other. The former screw turns 50% faster than the latter. As a result, the intake air is compressed between the rotors and their housing. The intermeshing compression rotors never touch, thanks to precision timing gears that maintain minute clearances between the rotor surfaces.

Wear and tear is eliminated and no lubrication is required in the compression space. Special seals prevent air escaping along the rotor shaft, while separate seals stop oil escaping from the rotor bearings into the compression chamber. The result is 100% oil-free and pulsation-free air.

For further information, e-mail: gba.info@uk.atlascopco.com or view website: www.atlascopco.co.uk    Refer to page 91

The TMMi Foundation goes Global with software testing reference model

The TMMi Foundation is an independent non-profit making organisation dedicated to improving software quality. Its software testing reference model is gaining global industry acceptance with members beginning to use the recently revised TMMi model to evaluate, measure and improve their Testing and Quality related test activities.

The TMMi Foundation was founded by a number of leading software quality practitioners from across Europe to deliver a standard TMMi model and to promote its uptake as an international industry standard for assessing and rating organisations' testing process capabilities. The TMMi Foundation promotes and provides the infrastructure to manage a standard for a TMMi Model available to all, to provide the requirements for the structure to accredit assessment methods, creating an independent service to validate and certify public TMMi assessment accreditations.

The TMMi model is a detailed model for test process capability measurement and the identification of improvements. It is complementary to CMMI but equally supports other software engineering models such as ITIL, ISO 9000 etc.

"The existence of a non-profit foundation, facilitating free interchange of information, striving for the usage of a public standard and being a portal to different services is invaluable." Qualityhouse.

Since inception, the TMMi Foundation has attracted interest from around the world and membership is growing all the time. In parallel, an increasing number of organisations are providing financial and other support to the work of the Foundation. These include Wipro and Accenture (2 new supporting organisations) who join Improve Quality Services, Insight Test Services, Softwaretest dk, Cognizant Technologies, Applabs Ltd, Polteq, QualityHouse, Choucair Testing and Experimentus in working actively and continuously with the Foundation in working towards its stated objectives.

"Our association with The TMMi Foundation is very important as it will provide Wipro with an opportunity to be involved in the definition of testing standards and leverage the same to build competencies to serve our customers better." Wipro Technologies (new Sponsor).

"The TMMi framework helps organisations assess and improve their current state of testing processes, organisations and methods by providing a baseline of proven practices and guidelines on how to implement them." Accenture (new Sponsor).

Over the years, there have been many models developed to assess the Test and Quality related process, which until now have not gained any universal acceptance by the industry at large. This is because most of the test process assessment models do not align sufficiently with the industry standard models for other parts of the Software Development Lifecycle. The TMMi model is different in this one respect as it aligns with, and can fully support being used in isolation or alongside CMMi.  TMMi satisfies the global software testing requirements completely.

"The TMMi Foundation is important because it consolidates testing knowledge from around the world and then defines both practices and standards for the rest of the community." Choucair Testing S.A..

"Having a model like TMMi helps all interested organisations to save time by taking advantage of a common framework that has proved to contain a solid roadmap for improving an organisation's test processes." Softwaretest dk.

The TMMi Foundation has the following specific objectives: Ownership of the TMMi model standard and the ongoing Intellectual Property rights; Define an international core TMMi model standard and place it in the public domain; Creation and management of an independent, unbiased central data repository and provision of industry and other analysis services; Provision of an independent accreditation process for TMMi® Assessment Methods based on the standard model; Provision of an independent mechanism to facilitate verification and formal ratification of TMMi Assessment Ratings; Definition and maintenance of independent assessor training, accreditation, guidelines and examinations; Provision of a public forum of interested parties to facilitate free interchange of information, education, ideas and usage of the public standard.

Going forward, the Foundation is looking to provide its own assessment method pack for use by organisations as well as providing training.

The TMMi Foundation will provide process direction for a large number of software testers around the world for the next decade and more, as the international, single standard for all organisations to measure and compare against.

For further information, view website: www.tmmifoundation.org