Compressed air system assessment for machine tool monitoring

Compressed air is the most common energy supply alongside electrical energy in manufacturing. In addition to the positive properties such as clean application possibilities, safe usage or storability, the compressed air is an underestimated energetic factor. Compressed air supply on machine tools therefore requires particular quantification in machine tool energy assessment and further energy monitoring applications. These energy monitoring applications, which are able to quantify different and combined energy forms, e.g. electricity and compressed air, are not yet available or often based on assumptions. The following paper evaluates the physical behavior of compressed air and defines the key efficiency parameters within a compressed air system. This knowledge enables the approximation of compressed air in relation to electrical energy and extended assessment possibilities for further measurement, monitoring and optimization purposes. Figure 1. Specific power consumption for compressed air generation [1] type, the dimensioning and layout of the distribution network and the use of valves and nozzles. The added value of the approach is a deeper analysis of available or not yet available systems without excessive efforts for measuring on the component level, a step which is time consuming, costly and at times difficult to implement. Key findings are validated punctually against measurements in order to determine the correctness of the approach.