Universal offers energy reduction features in converting kit

Universal Converting Equipment is offering a series of energy consumption reduction features in its slitting and winding machinery, which it said is part of an effort on its part to actively reduce energy use within the market, and consumption by its equipment, in reaction to a ‘well-established and often discussed’ issue.
 
Features include: the use of high-efficiency AC motors; designing in regenerative motors, which reclaim energy during braking to provide an alternative power source for other systems; removing hydraulic systems wherever possible; providing intelligent turn-off, which sees unused systems put on standby; and using touchscreens that go into hibernation when not used for a period.

‘The motivation is strong,’ Universal Converting Equipment said, ‘being both ecological and financial.’
 

'In some applications the brake energy is enough to reduce power consumption of the machine by 40 percent or more'

Universal Converting Equipment technical director Dave Ward said: ‘We design our machinery to be as frugal as possible with energy and have identified significant areas where energy savings can be made; in some cases functionality and performance has been increased as a positive side effect.’
 
Ward added: ‘Commonly we design in regenerative motors rather than more traditional pneumatic brakes, so rather than braking energy being lost as heat, it is turned into electricity and used by other systems within the machine. In some applications the brake energy is enough to reduce power consumption of the machine by 40 percent or more.’