Sprintex Ltd (ASX:SIX) will host an open day at its new air compressor factory in Suzhou, China, in early March and this comes as the supercharger manufacturer releases its new product portfolio, which includes a new industrial air compressor.
The open day will coincide with the company’s planned second phase production expansion, incorporating release of a new product portfolio and live demonstrations of products for industry leaders, collaborators and invited government officials.
"Exceptional efficiency"
The company will make its first public release of ground-breaking new architecture for a compact high-speed electric compressor range, which the company believes will offer exceptional efficiency.
This is the first time in the industry a 100,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpm) high-speed electric motor has ever been used in a 30-kilowatt commercial air compressor.
The breakthrough on motor speed enables Sprintex to select a mixed-flow design for the compressor. With fewer flow path restrictions at high flow rates, the mixed-flow compressor pushes aerodynamic efficiency to a record high of 84% for an air compressor, 9% higher than comparable competitors.
This innovation makes the air compressors more compact, more reliable and cheaper to produce for their rated flow.
Advanced cooling methods
Sprintex has also used advanced cooling methods to save 3% power consumption over common air-cooling methodology, which typically wastes power into the discharged air.
The company believes this innovation offers the world’s best efficiency for industrial air compressors, with the potential for a 12% electricity saving compared to currently available radial-type industrial air compressors.
Sprintex has filed for patent protection of the key design elements.
Nanjing RGE collaboration and supply program
Sprintex will also demonstrate the latest iteration of its industrial air compressor and blower systems for use in environmental and industrial applications, developed in collaboration with Nanjing RGE, a contracted customer of Sprintex Energy Technology (Suzhou).
The company expects to confirm the final specifications of equipment for supply to RGE, pursuant to the agreement between the parties announced in October last year.
Testing of the first samples of the Sprintex Aeristech fuel cell air compressor range is underway at Aeristech’s UK facilities, to validate factory acceptance tests from the company's newly established test facility at the Suzhou R&D and production plant.
JL Jeep supercharger system
The company’s supercharger division has received all third-party supply components for its Jeep JL and JT systems and has finished manufacturing the initial production batch of supercharger components at its Malaysian facility.
These systems will be assembled at the company’s US facility in time for the American summer sales season and scheduled presentations at major industry events, including the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, in early April and at Jeep Beach in Daytona Florida one week later.
Cost expectations met
Despite recent raw material price increases, worldwide supply chain shortages and additional cost, the company says it has been able to meet its cost expectation for this key product line, enabling gross profit margins to be maintained in accordance with its financial forecasts.
“We are very pleased with the stellar progress made in the new e-Compressor division since its inception just eight months ago,” Sprintex managing director Jay Upton said.
“It’s refreshing to see our vibrant and enthusiastic engineering team realising milestone after milestone in their aggressive development program.
“Our new product range offers a step change in efficiency levels for industrial customers, and with the local government driving the need to reduce power consumption in industry, we are very well placed to service many industries with products that simply use less power.”