Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions has launched Unigy, introducing a completely new design of small rotary screw compressor from 5.5 to 11 kW that it says offers the highest levels of operational efficiency, reliability and value for money through simplicity of design.
“For the first time, Unigy delivers the advantages of variable speed drive technology well proven in larger compressor installations to smaller users including light industry, workshops, jobshops, garages, bodyshops, tyre and exhaust businesses, warehouses, food handling, hospitals and laboratories, electronics, printing, foundries, glass and textiles,” said IR.
“Unigy is designed to save money by lowering operating costs and is built with an inherent reliability that ensures that these cost savings continue to add up to give the lowest possible cost of ownership, year after year.
“Unigy is whisper-quiet and compact; the compressor can be located close to where air is required, even if there are people in the vicinity. This lowers the cost of installation and greatly reduces the cost of pressure losses in pipework, making the system even more energy efficient. Unigy also offers easy operation and supervision when in use.”
According to the company, Unigy is based on a completely new concept called smart package integration. It is powered by the IntelliDrive power system unique to IR, utilising a high-speed induction motor with integrated variable frequency drive (VFD) and speed control. “Soft starting reduces stress on the drive and Unigy offers the lowest power consumption at start up, full-load and part-load conditions,” IR said.
The gentle start cycle of the InteIliDrive increases the service life, meaning that frequent stop and restart cycles are permitted, without the risk of overheating. Variable speed-controlled capacity regulation responds to fluctuation in system demand, maintaining a close controlled system pressure and automatically adjusting compressed air output. Unigy will maintain a stable pressure between maximum capacity at full power of 11 kW duty, down to as little as 30 per cent of its output before stopping. As soon as Unigy senses a low demand, the machine will stop immediately and restart whenever required, the company explained.
“When operating as a pressure-trim machine in a multiple-machine operation, the power savings achieved by the Unigy compressor’s controlling capacity and its avoiding of waste caused by over-pressure operation are magnified by the additional savings of other machines in the same system, also operating at reduced pressure.”
To maximise optimum use of the air system, Unigy with InteIliDrive can apply `virtual gear set’ technology in operation, limiting power to 5.5 kW, 7.5 kW or 11 kW duties. “This provides unequalled flexibility and system management options and allows Unigy to accommodate for future growth in the air system and eliminate the risk of capacity or pressure calculations being wrong,” IR said.
Unigy also has a wide range of operating pressure settings, which allow the user to select an optimal pressure for their installation.
