Testimonials
Fletcher Aluminium significantly reduced costs and maintenance needs using Multilec® Industrial Oil.
key takeaways
Challenge
Chief Engineer Phillip Hodgson aims to extend the lifespan of two older compressors, with 94,000 and 67,000 running hours respectively, and seeks energy savings through Lubrication Engineers’ solutions.
LE solution
Hodgson used Multilec Industrial Oil (6802), an ISO VG 46 oil, to fill the two older air compressors.
Results
Extending oil change intervals to 14,000-16,000 hours decreases waste oil and disposal costs, reduces service hours and operating temperatures, extends oil separator life, and lowers maintenance costs, resulting in less downtime.
Saved total of NZ$1,676.80 per year in reduced energy costs
Customer Profile
An LE customer since 1980, Fletcher Aluminium is one of the businesses that form the Fletcher Building Group, a building material manufacturer based in New Zealand and Australia. Fletcher Aluminium designs, develops and manufactures premium aluminium extrusions for an extensive range of industries, including windows and doors, commercial systems and private supply.
Application
Three Atlas Copco Rotary Screw air compressors used at the Fletcher plant in Auckland, New Zealand, supply air for the extrusion process. A new GA37 VSD leads air demand, while the older 30-kW GA 30 and GA 230 models run as required. The two older air compressors hold 15 litres of oil each.
Challenge
The two older compressors have relatively high total running hours (approximately 94,000 hours for the GA 30 and 67,000 hours for the GA 230). Per year, the GA 30 model is used approximately 4,000 hours, while the GA 230 runs approximately 1,000 hours.
Chief Engineer Phillip Hodgson wanted to keep these two older air compressors running as long as possible and was interested in the overall energy savings that Lubrication Engineers could help him achieve.
LE Solution
Hodgson had the two older air compressors filled with Multilec Industrial Oil (6802), an ISO VG 46 oil.
Results
- Extended oil change intervals from 2,000 hours to a new average of 14,000-16,000 hours
- Decreased waste oil and associated disposal costs
- Reduced service hours
- Reduced operating temperatures
- Extended oil separator life
- Reduced maintenance costs, leading to less downtime