Atlas Copco compressor and pipework combination boosts fast turnaround for Brinkley-Propeller

Equipping its new purpose-built maintenance and repair facility with an energy-efficient Atlas Copco GX11 FF compressor and a complete AIRnet modular pipework system, supplied and fitted by premier distributor Anglian Compressors, has enabled Brinkley-Propeller to fulfil its drive toward fast turnaround of high quality work at competitive prices.

A combined investment in facility infrastructure and its 24-strong team’s productivity has earned the company a world-wide reputation for offering exceptional levels of customer service. Operating from a state-of-the-art 14,250 sq. ft. premises in Stanton Business Park, Biggleswade, Brinkley-Propeller recently expanded both its site and capabilities; by adding aircraft landing gear brakes and wheels service, as well as an approved NTD (non-destructive testing) division that supports aviation, motorsport, marine, and space and satellite industry organisations.

As director, Darren Carter explains: “As a rapidly expanding servicing organisation we needed a reliable compressed air system that would give us flexibility for future growth; as we are looking to extend our customer base further into Europe, the Middle East and certain developing countries. Cost and downtime are key issues for customers. Our facilities have been purposely designed to enable us to work efficiently and deliver turnaround schedules that are consistently on time and in-budget.”

Carter continued: “Our old compressed air system with galvanised pipework lacked reliability and we were experiencing pressure drops affecting our output, so improved air flow was a priority. We looked at a number of suppliers’ offerings and decided that the solution proposed by Atlas Copco’s distributor, Anglian Compressors in Peterborough, met all our needs.”

Anglian supplied and installed an energy-efficient Atlas Copco GX11 full feature, rotary screw compressor, with integrated dryer, to provide an essential 7.5 bar quality air supply for the company’s air tools, component pressure testing and spray finishing operations. Compressed air is delivered to point of use via a complete new AIRnet ring main with multiple short drops to individual work stations.

AIRnet is a fast, easy and reliable modular piping system, designed for compressed air, vacuum, and other inert gas applications from the source to the point of use. Low friction internal bore and seamless connections minimise pressure drop thus effectively reducing the cost of ownership of a piping system.

As the result of intelligent design and lightweight materials, AIRnet can be installed and fixed to walls and ceilings 70 per cent faster than conventional systems and, for many industrial applications, AIRnet pipes and fittings can be assembled in just a few steps by a single installer without the need for heavy machinery. All components are easily adjustable and re-usable to facilitate future network extensions. Further reassurance comes from the fact the system is future-proofed by a 10-year guarantee against any damages resulting from material defects.

Since Brinkley-Propeller’s high-end, important clients visit the premises in the course of operations, the visual appeal of the pipework and fittings was an added bonus to the system’s design flexibility and potential for energy savings.

Darren Carter’s final comment was complimentary to Atlas Copco’s offering and the quality and efficiency of the installation: “As cost efficiency is always at the forefront of our decision making, we felt the investment in this system produced the right solution.  The brand has a reputation for quality and reliability and that was important to our long-term plan.”