Your browser is not supported

You are using a browser we do not support any longer. To continue visiting our website, please choose one of the following supported browsers.

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Safari

Microsoft Edge
united kingdom
Buy Online

Get a complete overview of our Compressed Air, Industrial Gas & Process Cooling Solutions

Find out about our product ranges and newest technology for sustainable productivity.
Download our brochure
Capability Brochure

Everything you need to know about your pneumatic conveying process

Discover how you can create a more efficient pneumatic conveying process.
Find out
3D images of blowers in cement plant
Close

UK precision engineering firm opts for Atlas Copco’s new energy-saving, eco-efficient VSD+ compressor

di-spark benefit from energy saving compressor

In September 2012 Atlas Copco Compressors invited long-term customer, the precision engineering company Di-Spark Group, to trial the operation of its latest innovation, the energy and space saving, vertical aspect GA15VSD+ rotary screw compressor, which is powered by the company’s own in-house designed interior permanent magnet (iPM) motor. The compressor’s performance and the impressive energy savings gained to date, plus the unit’s minimal footprint, persuaded Di-Spark to install the compressor as a permanent addition to the air supply plant at its two sites in Horndean, East Hampshire.

GA VSD+
Significantly, the new design offers exceptional energy savings. Atlas Copco’s GA Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology automatically adjusts the motor speed to match the compressed air supply to the air demand. When combined with the innovative design of the iPM motor, which exceeds IE4 efficiency requirements, this results in an average energy saving of 50% and an average reduction of 37% in the lifecycle cost of a conventional fixed-speed compressor. A new, more efficient fan motor achieves yet another saving on specific energy requirement of up to 7% of the compressor power. Furthermore, thanks to the silent motor and fully-enclosed drive train, the compressor runs as quietly as 62 dB(A). With this new concept, Atlas Copco has also turned the compressed air industry on its head by redesigning the conventional layout of a typical air compressor. Instead of the normal horizontal design, the new GA VSD+ (which is available from 7 to 15 kW) has an upright, vertical, low footprint layout, designed to save floor and work space while improving maintenance access, even when the unit is placed against a wall. To test the concept in a real production environment, Atlas Copco Compressors trialled the new design in 25 major application sites, including Di Sparks’ plant which now has five Atlas Copco compressors, 3 of which are VSD type compressors. All of these units provide essential compressed air to Di-Sparks’ advanced manufacturing technology equipment such as 5-axis milling, multi task mill-turn, wire erosion and spark erosion EDM (Electric Discharge Machining) systems producing complex bespoke, precision machined components for high-end global customers within the aerospace, defence, medical, oil and gas, motorsport, nuclear and scientific industries. With plant processes already enjoying at least 35% energy saving from the company’s existing Atlas Copco VSD compressors, the successful trial of the GA15 VSD+ unit contributed a further 15% reduction in energy consumption, equating to an overall 50% improvement over fixed-speed compressor equivalent performance.

We have always invested in high-performance, high-productivity machine tools - equipment that provides us with extensive, flexible and advanced machining capacity and capabilities. It allows us to manufacture complex, high-precision parts in fewer set-ups and has helped us to reduce our costs, achieve improved part accuracies, avoid production bottlenecks and meet ever stringent customer lead times.
David Light , Managing Director at Di Spark

The Di Spark company was founded in 1980 by the current managing director David Light’s father, progressing from a toolmaking company using EDM wire erosion to produce press tools for the printed circuit board industry. EDM is an established technology and is still used extensively where intricate features need to be machined. The company evolved into a specialist EDM subcontractor and its investments into dedicated wire erosion and spark erosion equipment has meant that it has been possible to remove much of the costs of the manual labour aspect from the process, giving the company a distinct competitive advantage. With its aspiration to world class performance and continuous improvement, it is no surprise that the company’s philosophy applies equally to the choice of its compressed air solutions provider.

Over the years, we have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Atlas Copco and can rely on the performance and capability of their world-leading technology to contribute to our productivity. So we had no hesitation in accepting their request to trial their latest development, the GAVSD+ compressor. We are delighted with the outcome. As a result, not only are we saving an additional 15% on our energy consumption, but this vertical design compressor occupies less workshop space than conventional machines and is surprisingly quiet.Keeping noise to a minimum is important in our workplace.We see the VSD+ as a smart machine and a smart choice.
David Light , Managing Director at Di Spark

For more information on the GA VSD+ compressor and how it is helping Di-Spark save energy watch the video below

Watch Di-Spark explain why they chose the VSD+ air compressor by Atlas Copco

Get the latest news and stories from Atlas Copco straight to your inbox Subscribe to our monthly Fresh Air newsletter

Editor’s Notes:

Atlas Copco Compressors is the GB sales and service operation of the Atlas Copco Group providing oil-free and oil-injected stationary air compressors,  gas and process compressors, vacuum pumps, turbo expanders, nitrogen generators, air treatment equipment (such as compressed air dryers, coolers, and filters) air management systems, and custom designed engineered packages. 

Atlas Copco Compressors’ sales and distribution network means that specialist compressed air advice and service is always within easy reach. A team of over 80 service engineers operates across the country, to ensure maximum running efficiency and minimum downtime at its customers' sites.

In the United Kingdom, Atlas Copco also handles the sales and marketing of construction and mining equipment, portable compressors and electric power generators, industrial power tools and assembly systems – all backed up by a nationwide sales, distribution, service and maintenance network. 

Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics.  The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2015, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 102 (BEUR 11) and more than 43,000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressorsuk.

For all of the latest news follow us on Twitter via @AtlasCopcoUKIRE, connect with us on Facebook and Google+ or find our Atlas Copco UK & Ireland LinkedIn company page.

  • For further editorial information contact Nick Henderson on 01582 393120.
  • For product or sales enquiries please contact 0800 181085.
  • For further company information contact Joanna Canton Long on 01442 222240.

Compressed Air Energy Efficiency Oil-lubricated compressors Product info Application story 2013 Innovation General Industry United Kingdom