Applying modern design/manufacturing concepts in the development of centrifugal air compressors for the global market

摘要

Up until this time, the dry screw plant air compressor was the only choice to customers who were price and lead time sensitive in 200-450HP oil-free compressed air market. However, if the customer considered overall efficiency, maintainability and life cycle costs centrifugal compressors could be considered as the superior choice. By understanding the market drivers, it was apparent that if the oil-free centrifugal compressor was to be competitive in the global market a new design and manufacturing philosophy would be required. As a result, the modular design approach was adopted during the new product development process.