對很多企業而言，「永續發展」僅僅是一句口號，尚未落到實處。Wellspect 公司是一家全球領先的醫療失禁護理解決方案製造商，他們將永續發展列為重要的企業戰略，並真正實踐了這一理念。為實現這一目標，公司在瑞典哥德堡附近的 Mölndal 工廠選用了 Festo 節能服務產品，由此每年為 Wellspect 節省了 37,000 歐元的能源成本，
相當於每年減少 24 噸二氧化碳排放。伴隨能耗降低而來的，還有一大好處：由於零件磨損減少，其中一條導管包裝線的機器可用性提高了 10 %。
壓縮空氣能效審計服務
「Festo 瑞典分公司的能效專家 Bo Lilja 透過壓縮空氣能效審計服務，協助我們找到了設備的薄弱環節，並提供了最優措施用於我們的壓縮空氣系統。」Wellspect 公司維護部經理 Erik Blomholt 說道。能源專家 Lilja 透過 Festo 節能服務入口網站，在線上為 Wellspect 的維護團隊指導實施了相對應的改進措施。「這樣一來，我們就能方便地對故障排除進行系統性監測，例如解決洩漏問題等等。」Blomholt 先生如此表示。此外，透過這種方式，還能量化能源損耗和二氧化碳排放。
此次壓縮空氣能效審計包括五個步驟：在前三個步驟中，能效專家 Bo Lilja 分析了整個系統的壓縮空氣產生、壓縮空氣製備和壓縮空氣分配情況，然後評估了氣動應用，即機器和設備本身的狀況。在這個過程中，他分析了這些機器和設備的能源效率，並檢測了洩漏情況。
「我檢測了驅動器、閥門和軟管的尺寸是否合適，吹氣應用和真空應用的設計是否有效率，以及安裝和控制方案是否需要優化。」Lilja 解釋道。
在第五步，也就是最後一步，他制定了壓縮空氣監測系統方案，用以持續監測能源狀態。
Comprehensive analysis
At the end of the analysis, Wellspect received a detailed report that precisely documents the data and provides recommended actions in order of priority. The documentation shows, among other things, energy consumption and costs, energy reserves and CO2 emission values, which Wellspect requires for disclosure in its own sustainability report in accordance with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) or GHG (greenhouse gas).
Carrying out the energy efficiency audit is part of Wellspect's sustainability strategy. Three topics take centre stage: health and well-being by enabling more people to live full, independent and self-confident lives thanks to bladder and bowel management solutions; a safe, engaging and inspiring workplace; and a reduced environmental footprint.
Contribution to the sustainability goals
Wellspect's vision is to become carbon neutral by 2045. The company's production facilities are already powered exclusively by electricity from renewable energy sources. Festo Energy Saving Services are designed to point the way to further savings. The €37,000 that are now saved annually on energy and equipment costs relate to three production lines, and two more have already been identified. "Our goal is to optimise all production plants in terms of energy. That is why we will gradually extend the energy efficiency audits to all our systems", says Chief Maintenance Engineer Blomholt.
This will make it possible to continuously reduce the kilowatt hours consumed annually for each catheter produced. By 2025, Wellspect hopes to reduce the energy consumption for each catheter manufactured by 12% compared to 2020. As a large number of catheters is produced each week, the final figure results in significant cost savings.
Predictive energy with artificial intelligence and machine learning
The Festo Automation Experience, or Festo AX for short, could be the right tool for greater energy efficiency at Wellspect. It can be used to continuously monitor the energy efficiency of a machine or system and to take permanent corrective action if consumption deviates from the setpoint values. It is an easy-to-use solution that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help the user extract maximum value from the data produced by the machines and systems.
Festo AX Predictive Energy records a "fingerprint" of the energy consumption of the production line and continuously compares it with the actual state. Leaks can be detected automatically by using machine learning and artificial intelligence. And without having to describe and teach in all possible fault causes beforehand. Being able to react quickly to detected leakages immediately lowers production costs and ensures the solution provides an early return on investment.
Based in Mölndal near Gothenburg, Sweden, Wellspect employs more than 1,000 people and operates in 18 countries. The company is part of Dentsply Sirona, the world's largest manufacturer of professional dental solutions. The company develops and produces solutions for people suffering from bladder or bowel related issues. Product users include people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida or an enlarged prostate. The best-known product lines are Lofric for bladder management and Navina for bowel management. The high-quality product solutions are accompanied by a comprehensive training program for patients and healthcare professionals.