Common Line Central Vacuum Systems - An Energy Saving Solution

When designing Central Vacuum Systems, experience pays off. "During the early eighties, Motan started dealing with this subject in close co-operation with Ford Berlin of Germany", says Mark McKibbin, President of Motan Inc., Plainwell, Michigan. At that time, the car maker made the following demands on the material handling specialist: to find the optimum solution for a pneumatic vacuum conveying system with respect to conveying capacity, space requirements, reliability, efficiency, and expandability. A central vacuum system specified in accordance with the requirements of the customer was the solution. The advantages when compared against conventional Line Vacuum Systems were obvious: a well-arranged, compact Central Vacuum System that offers both optimum conveying capacity and maximum reliability. Today ? with our high level of experience ? we are actually able to reduce energy losses, outside the material lines, to almost zero. Twenty-five years ago, throughputs of approximately eight tons per hour were the requirement. Today, in injection molding as well as extrusion, Motan specs applications of 40 tons per hour and more. What remains the same, however, are the advantages: "Those who rely on our Central Vacuum Systems clearly invest in highly efficient and reliable equipment", states McKibbin. Consistent low-pressure control, for example, will automatically provide need-based generation of the conveying air volume through velocity control and by cycling the blowers on and off as they are needed. By doing so, energy costs required for the process are drastically reduced. In addition, maintenance required is reduced to a fraction of what is needed with individual blowers. Most important says McKibbin, "We guarantee no production down time when servicing components of the vacuum system. This work can be done during production. We guarantee high production reliability for all machines.? Central vacuum systems outside the production area offer the additional advantages of less dust, noise, and heat in the production area. There are only a few system components that require maintenance or replacement, allowing for a manageable and low cost spares inventory. Well-arranged and easily understood controls facilitate every day routines for the operators and service personnel. "Furthermore, the systems are flexible, additional pumps can be integrated into the Central Vacuum System at any time", adds McKibbin. One crucial point remains; the design of a vacuum system must always be tailored for the individual customer. This is where expertise and experience becomes key. "Our technicians consider the quantity of machines, machine throughputs as well as relative conveying distances in their calculations. When calculating the required air volume for the total conveying system, a safety factor is added to assure there is always adequate throughput.?