When a mid-sized laser cutting facility experienced ongoing costs, logistical, and supply chain challenges with their need for liquid nitrogen, the Atlas Compressed Air Division was there to help!
Inefficiency in the Facility
Efficiency and productivity are crucial factors in any industrial setting, and maintaining an optimal nitrogen generation system is essential for achieving these goals.
A mid-sized laser cutting facility specializing in precision metal fabrication relied on bulk liquid nitrogen (N₂) for its operations. While essential for high-quality laser cutting, the ongoing costs, logistical challenges, and supply chain dependencies of bulk liquid nitrogen were proving to be a major expense and operational constraint.
Challenges Faced:
- High Operational Costs – Rising expenses from purchasing bulk liquid nitrogen.
- Delivery and Storage – Logistical burdens and space requirements for nitrogen deliveries.
- Supply Chain Vulnerabilities – Delays in deliveries caused production interruptions.
- Environmental Waste – Boil-off losses led to unnecessary nitrogen waste and increased emissions.
Finding the Solution
Recognizing the urgent need for improvements, this laser cutting facility turned to Atlas Machine & Supply's Compressed Air Division to resolve the issue.
To address the rising costs and operational inefficiencies caused by bulk liquid nitrogen, the laser cutting facility partnered with Atlas Machine and Supply to implement an on-site nitrogen generation system.
This custom-engineered solution was designed around the facility’s specific consumption needs, ensuring a steady and reliable supply of high-purity nitrogen without the dependency on external deliveries.
Key Features
- Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generator: Provided a consistent, high-purity nitrogen supply tailored to laser cutting applications.
- Integrated Air Compressor System: Optimized compressed air supply for seamless nitrogen generation.
- Automated Monitoring & Control: Enabled real-time performance tracking and ensured uninterrupted nitrogen availability.
Implementation
At the core of the system is Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which extracts nitrogen directly from ambient air, delivering the purity levels required for precision laser cutting. By eliminating the need for cryogenic storage and frequent refills, the facility significantly streamlined its production processes.
The system included an integrated air compressor to provide a consistent and efficient compressed air source, and automated monitoring and controls to maintain system performance with minimal oversight.
This combination allowed for real-time diagnostics, reduced maintenance interruptions, and ensured uninterrupted nitrogen availability. Not only did the upgrade enhance operational efficiency, but it also improved sustainability by removing the carbon footprint associated with bulk liquid nitrogen transportation and boil-off waste.
Key Outcomes
- Cost Savings - Achieved a 60% reduction in nitrogen expenses by eliminating bulk liquid nitrogen purchases.
- Rapid ROI - The system paid for itself within nine months, exceeding initial projections.
- Operational Efficiency - Eliminated reliance on external deliveries, reducing downtime and increasing production output.
- Sustainability Benefits - Reduced carbon footprint by cutting transportation emissions and eliminating nitrogen losses due to evaporation.
Conclusions
By transitioning from bulk liquid nitrogen to an on-site nitrogen generation system, the laser cutting facility dramatically reduced operational costs, improved production reliability, and minimized its environmental impact. The system paid for itself within nine months - delivering a faster-than-expected return on investment - while eliminating logistical headaches and vulnerabilities. This strategic move not only modernized the facility’s operations but also positioned it for long-term efficiency and growth.
Trusted Partners
At Atlas Machine and Supply, we understand that no two operations are the same - and that’s exactly why we don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. With decades of experience in industrial compressed air and nitrogen generating systems, our team brings the expertise, tools, and resources needed to design, build, and maintain custom-engineered solutions that fit the specific needs of each facility we serve.
Atlas works closely with you to evaluate your current processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement systems that drive long-term savings and reliability.
From concept to installation and beyond, we’re committed to being a true partner - helping companies reduce costs, minimize downtime, and operate more sustainably. The success of this laser cutting facility is just one example of how we empower our customers to take control of their operations with smart, forward-thinking solutions.
Interested in Nitrogen Generation Solutions?