Global sensor technology company Sick is helping food and beverage manufacturers address one of their most significant and often overlooked energy costs, compressed air.
In modern production environments compressed air is essential, explains Praveen Kanna, head of market product management APAC for Sick. Yet rising energy prices and increasing sustainability expectations mean manufacturers can no longer treat it as an invisible utility.
“Traditional electrical monitoring systems measure power consumption, but they do not show how effectively electricity is converted into compressed air, nor where losses occur,” says Kanna.
“Understanding actual mass flow and pressure is fundamental to improving efficiency. Many manufacturers are surprised to discover how much compressed air is lost through undetected leaks, idle consumption or unstable pressure. Measuring real usage provides the clarity needed to take corrective action. We are utilizing the latest of deep analytics and AI insights to identify potential leaks in the compressed air network,” he says.
Sick’s solution combines precise flow and pressure measurement with advanced analytics to deliver plant-wide visibility. The FTMg thermal flow meter measures mass flow, pressure, temperature, velocity and energy data, offering reliable performance across different pipe materials. Integrated with the Sentio Energy analytics platform, the system enables automatic leak detection, downtime analysis and identification of air wastage. Continuous monitoring, configurable alerts and historical trend analysis support informed operational decisions.
“Manufacturers implementing compressed air monitoring have reported measurable reductions in consumption and faster identification of inefficiencies, contributing to lower energy costs and improved process stability.”
Sick develops sensor-based automation solutions for industrial applications worldwide, supporting the food and beverage sector with “technologies designed to enhance efficiency, safety and transparency across production.”
Sponsored content: For more information phone +64 (0) 800 222 27, email sales@sick.co.nz or visit www.sick.co.nz.
