N2 Generator v Shop Air v Bulk tank

[Co2Laser]

I am currently running a mid to high mix / mid to high volume fab shop, and recently we have been making product that all needs to be powder coated (i.e. clean cut). Our bulk N2 usage has gone through the roof. I do not have a dedicated shop air system in place, but I've had great success with it in the past. But before I go down that route, I have been made aware of the advances in N2 generation since I looked last (7-10 years ago). The majority of our work is 12ga steel and under that has to be clean cut or I know I can run faster with air, 11ga and under stainless, and .190 and under aluminum. We run 2 shifts on 2 automated 4kW lasers. I've had my bulk tank filled almost 2x/week for the past 3mos, and I need to get out of paying so much for product.

Looking for opinions on N2 (PSA) generation v.Shop Air v Bulk tanks. I know what the systems entail in general, but I'm more interested in hearing your thoughts on maintenance costs, savings, tax benefits, purchasing v. leasing, etc. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[krugtech]

It depends on the area you live in and desired cut quality. N2 is best and most reliable, air and N2 generation need a good compressor. Check on bulk gas costs, try to get the tank and equipment discounted based on the volume you use. If you go w shop air, get a compressor that can be used to run an N2 generator so you have an option in the future. These systems work really well-Link

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[LASERNINJA]

I would agree. The PSA generator is the way to go. Huge start up cost. The system could be a $100k +. But, in your case, the ROI could be two years or so.

Something I hate to admit, Amada laser suck down the assist gas when cutting. Trumph and Bystronic use a much smaller nozzle diameter to achieve the same result.

When you cut with shop air, it is my opinion that a large percent of the time there is a burr on the parts. If you add a secondary process, most your savings goes out the window.

One of my customers bought a generator for industrial solutions 10 or 12 years ago. The amount of work they put into in as far a maintenance / repairs is ridiculous, I would estimate it a $200 to $300 a year filters and belts, that's it. At times, they run four lasers off the one system. The set up has been perfect or at least close to it the entire time.

Other things to consider:

Shop air is great in a lot of situations but, it destroys the NC assist gas regulators on the machine. Its just a cost of doing business. Run shop air, replace regulator. 1 or 2 years worth of operation before change out.

Look at your beam delivery system on your machines. CO2 Scrubber or Nitrogen. Amada uses a PSA type system to remove CO2 from shop air. With a generator you can eliminate this, obviously. I think Amada charges $2000 for a filter kit that last 5000 hours.

I know here in Oregon they offer incentives or rebates whey you by a big air compressor that has a inverter / frequency drive on it. I think its from the state and the power company. I don't have any details on that.

Personally, I like to buy instead of lease... Just in general. In this case though, if you lease a big generator you send a check every month to the who every you lease from instead of AIRGAS. From a unit I tried to spec one time, the lease payment would have been less every month...