Saving energy on the shop floor

Filtermist is helping manufacturers save energy and cut costs with its innovative new system. The F Save system optimises the operation of Filtermist oil mist collectors, so they only run when needed instead of running constantly throughout the working day.

At the centre of F Save is a sensor that attaches to the machine tool’s coolant pump and communicates with the F Save Hub. If the pump is not active, the Filtermist unit automatically switches off. This stops energy being wasted while keeping operators fully protected from airborne oil mist.

René Joppi, Managing Director at Filtermist, explains the thinking behind the system: “Our research showed that some machines are only active for around 20-30% of the working day. If our unit runs all the time, it wastes resources, increases costs, and adds to a company’s carbon footprint. With F Save, customers can cut energy use by up to 80% and, in some cases, see a return on investment in under three months.”

The system is simple to install and does not need any electrical connection to the machine tool, making it easy to retrofit to existing units. It also removes the risk of operators forgetting to switch the unit on or off, keeping workplaces clean and safe.

Applications Engineer Krzysztof Kaszuba, who led the initial study, adds: “On average, a machine tool is only cutting parts for about half of its operating time. The rest is taken up by tool changes, part changes or other activities. F Save stops energy being wasted during these periods, giving thousands of customers around the world an easy way to reduce energy use without compromising safety.”

Filtermist, part of the Swedish-based Absolent Air Care Group, provides a wide range of products and services to remove contaminants such as oil mist, dust and fumes from production environments. In the UK the company offers a complete service including consultation, system design, equipment supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.

F Save is available now through Filtermist and its global network of approved distributors.