After a 10-week break and a £1.2 million (?1.38 million) investment, Xaar's inkjet printhead factory in Huntingdon, UK has reopened.
Over the course of two and a half months, the £72.8 million (?83.87 million) UK-based manufacturer has reorganized the space and workflow at the site to reduce electricity consumption and increase productivity. The extensive work was undertaken in response to rising energy costs and to meet the demand for Aquinox, the water-based printhead launched last November.
36% reduction in the plant's energy consumption
The work has reduced energy consumption. Cleanroom areas that require constant temperature and air treatment are extremely energy intensive, accounting for 90% of the site's electrical needs.
Xaar reorganized the space from four controlled cleanroom areas to three, and reduced their footprint by nearly 20%. As a result, cleanroom consumption is expected to decrease by 40 percent, lowering the plant's energy requirements by 36 percent.
Improved workflows and controlled energy consumption
With the implementation of a digital twin of its cleanroom, workflows have been significantly improved.
The presence of smart meters allows Xaar to track electricity consumption every five minutes, and thus identify and eliminate energy waste by analyzing this data.
And the building is now also equipped with LED lighting.
Paul Shepherd, engineering manager at Xaar, said this project offers major sustainability and manufacturing outcomes, enabling smarter production.
