As the green movement blankets the globe, manufacturers race to produce green equipment and products. Among companies across North America, a large percentage look to green machines manufactured in Italy to help them meet environmental goals.

Streamlining production

Growing demand for building projects that reflect green initiatives is impacting the ventilation industry. According to Bruce A. Bohr, principal manufacturing engineer at Greenheck Fan Corp.  (www.greenheck.com), his company now posts sales of approximately $500 million annually, employs more than 2,850 people, and utilizes more than 1.5 million sq ft of manufacturing space.

Greenheck has come a long way since 1947 when it began business as a tiny sheet metal shop in Schofield, Wisconsin. Known worldwide as a leading manufacturer of air-movement and control equipment, the company’s flagship ventilation products are typically found behind walls, in ductwork or on the roofs of hospitals, office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, schools, industrial plants and other commercial buildings. Today, the company’s products are shipped around the globe.

Greenheck was one of the first manufacturers of air-moving and control equipment to join the U.S. Green Building Council. Greenheck also references USGBC and ASHRAE guidelines and standards to identify specific products that mechanical engineers can use when designing ventilation systems for sustainable-design projects and for those adhering to LEED certification guidelines.

Bohr was responsible for specifying, purchasing and managing the installation of two Salvagnini Italia S.p.A. P-4 CNC panel formers ( www.salvagninigroup.com ).  He explains, “One was installed in 2004 and the other was installed in 2008.  These machines form doors, cabinet panels and other sheet metal components of integrated HVAC systems for ventilating commercial and industrial buildings.

“Salvagnini P-4 panel benders replace press brakes that formerly formed the same sheet metal components. They require much less time to change from one part to another. This feature makes it possible to reduce inventory and decrease response time.”

Bohr notes that his company would consider the purchase of similar machinery in the future. He adds, “There are other product lines at the company that could benefit from changing from conventional press brake forming to CNC panel forming. The installation of the Salvagnini P-4 panel benders has been a key factor in streamlining the production of the Greenheck Fan Corporation Make-up Air and Kitchen Systems Make-up Air units.”

Reducing weight and size

Gaseous emissions, referred to as greenhouse gases, are one of many environmental challenges that today’s manufacturers face. Experts caution that a significant reduction of the gases is a necessity, and the goal of cutting such emissions is familiar in industry.

Ritmo S.p.A. ( www.ritmo.it), a global leader in plastic welding equipment manufacturing, looked at ways to reduce its gas emissions. The Italian company prides itself on producing fast, accurate, versatile, modular and easy-to-use welding machines. The product range includes butt fusion, electrofusion and extrusion equipment, as well as a complete line of accessories and instruments for pipe cutting and weld preparation.

Ritmo has designed the new RAM 824 All Terrain, a totally independent fusion machine with an on-board generator for butt fusion of plastic pipes for the transport of fluids under pressure.

Since beginning development of the All Terrain, the company examined its environmental impact at a number of levels, not only in order to provide a functional product, but also with the objective of “going green.”

Two key aspects of the new product are weight reduction and implementation of a smaller engine. An approximate 2,200-lb weight reduction permits use of a turbocharged diesel engine from 2,200 cc with four inline cylinders and direct injection. Four-wheel drive steering allows the vehicle to climb easily across rough terrain.

Because the engine is set for developing 22.7 kW at 1,500 rpm, running at a speed of rotation lower than its maximum power, it is possible to substantially reduce wear and periodic maintenance and to significantly drive down the value of noise.

Such features result in reduced fuel consumption and, consequently, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Compared to similar equipment, in a 12-hour time period, it is possible to cut emissions of 120 lbs of carbon dioxide, or more than eight tons per year. The company cites recent studies which claim that an “average tree” can filter about 44 lbs of carbon dioxide in a year, so for those eight tons, more than 400 trees would have been required.

Another solution that helps achieve the company’s environmental goals is the electronic Easy Life fusion system, which manages the fusion cycle and helps an operator avoid errors and material waste. The electronic control ...