FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY
THE ENERGY EQUATION
By
Adapted from original text by Ralph Hofbauer . All photos by Patrick Hürlimann .
Solar cells on the roof of the Brand Metallbau building in Schattdorf , Swizerland .
With compressed air management , waste heat recovery and energy-efficient machines , Swiss job shop Brand Metallbau has optimised energy efficiency and reduced its power consumption by half . Its latest investment is a nitrogen generator for laser cutting .
“ At Brand Metallbau , nitrogen is used as the cutting gas for its new Bystronic ByStar Fiber laser cutting system .”
By systematically optimising its infrastructure , Swiss manufacturer Brand Metallbau has reduced its electricity consumption by half . Instead of 250,000 kilowatt hours per year , it now consumes just 125,000 . Following the installation in 2018 of new sheet metal laser cutting and bending systems from Bystronic , Brand Metallbau was able to increase its energy efficiency by a further 30 per cent .
The company regularly invests in the latest technology to stay one step ahead of its competitors . Over the past 70 years , it has expanded its reputation far beyond central Switzerland with specialist areas which include windows , doors , façade construction and custom-built structures . Its recently built annexe in Schattdorf ( in the Swiss canton of Uri ), with well-lit offices and stylish meeting rooms , boasts a modern façade , imposing steel staircases and large panoramic windows – a testament to its aesthetics and high quality standards .
“ Our customers value the fact that we combine all aspects of metal construction under one roof ,” explains Alex Brand , managing director of Brand Metallbau .
An eye on energy reduction
“ For us , compressed air is by far the most expensive form of energy ,” adds Alex Brand , as he walks through the company ’ s three production halls . Virtually all the company ’ s machines use compressed air . Seven years ago , when he decided to improve Brand Metallbau ’ s energy footprint , compressed air generation was given top priority .
“ We used to waste a great deal of energy due to leaks and inefficient compressors ,” he explains .
With a system installed in 2014 , he optimised compressed air management . Two small compressors replaced three large units . An intelligent buffer system means that the machines are supplied according to demand .
Alex Brand , Managing Director , Brand Metallbau .
68 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR October 2021