The Case New Holland Global SPS Facility in Brampton, ON is a well-oiled machine. It has to be if they supply parts and equipment to CNH dealerships across the country, helping to keep them fully stocked and profitable. CNH is a world leader among agricultural and construction equipment businesses and they have similar hubs located in Argentina, Brazil, Australia, the U.K., Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the U.S. Despite the organization and efficiency of business evident at the site, there remained an airflow issue that required help from another global company: The Big Ass Fan Company®.

Like most distribution centres, the 320,000 square foot facility was designed for streamlined product flow, not thermal comfort. The air was unconditioned and circulation was almost nonexistent. "Our company made it very clear that employee morale, comfort and safety are paramount," says David Ogle, CNH PDC Manager. They were using several small energy-guzzling ceiling fans to keep the air moving and to keep workers comfortable. The small fans just did not do the job. "We simply needed greater circulation over a greater area," Ogle says.

So here's the question: how do you keep employees comfortable in a massive warehouse, while avoiding an astronomical utilities bill? CNH had to think big in order to solve a big problem. So they researched Big Ass Fans.

Since its inception in 1999, Big Ass Fans has sold over 350,000 large diameter (1.8-7.3m) ceiling fans worldwide. The fans, made of steel and extruded aluminum, circulate a very high volume of air throughout a large space (up to 30,000 sq. ft). At a high speed, you can use the elevated air movement to cool people off in the summer. In the winter, the fans operate at a slow speed to gently redistribute the heat that is trapped at the ceiling. The speed is easily adjusted on a continuous 10-60Hz scale using a variable frequency drive. The fans operate on 1-2 hp motors, voltage (120-600V).

Recognizing that the Big Ass fans would keep occupants comfortable year-round and at a low cost, CNH decided to give three of them a spin. "Use of the large fans eliminates the need for the floor fans and ceiling fans which are less power friendly," Ogle says.

Ogle also comments on the earth-friendly approach to increased comfort. "One of our World Class Pillars is for Environment," explains Ogle. "We have a strict commitment to environmental responsibility and we are saving considerable amounts of power by using these (as opposed to smaller fans)."

Even while maintaining over 100,000 stock-keeping units, Ogle recognizes what sets the large diameter fans apart. "Our Big Ass Fan is the most unique piece of equipment in our building," he notes.

Even years after purchasing their fans, saving money is as simple as switching the fan on. And the environment stays breezy in the summer. "The fans now provide consistent circulation, quietly and gently. There are no air blasts or noisy motors. They cover a huge area and we're in the process of requesting two more 20' units for our mezzanine area to replace the floor models," says Ogle.

"We are proud to help our customers increase comfort in their facilities, while simultaneously reducing energy costs and promoting sustainability," says Brian Smith, Sales Representative for Big Ass Fans in Toronto.

Funny name aside, the Big Ass Company means business when it comes to making high quality fans. Their Research and Development department works around the clock to develop and test every aspect of fan safety and performance. The latest technology to result from these efforts is the Pivot™, designed in response to customers needs for a smaller diameter fan for tight spaces. Its ability to mount in 73 different positions is perfect for those hard-to-reach spaces in need of air movement (e.g. mezzanines, assembly lines, aisleways in between racking, etc.)

The Big Ass Fan Company®

Eurovac announces the addition of a line of portable and central high volume/low volume welding fume extraction arms and high volume/low vacuum separators with cartridge filters and compressed air pulse jet cleaning. Eurovac has a complete range of extraction arms ranging from 3" to 8" in diameter and from 3 feet to 14 feet long. The mechanical and pivoting mechanicals are completely external which increases efficiency and longevity.

Eurovac

The new Pivot is a functional, flexible solution for mezzanines, narrow aisle ways, around ceiling obstructions and in confined workspaces. The compact six-foot diameter Pivot with sleek styling has the strength, reliability and safety features to operate in tough environments. Its mounting system features two pivot points that give the fan 73 unique hanging positions. A precision molded hub ensures smooth operation and long life. Exclusive trim pieces reduce noise at connection points for quiet operation. Other features include a touch-pad controller with digital RPM and speed read-out and optional easy-to-install cage.

Big Ass Fans

The PAC SonicJet Dust Collectors feature a low-maintenance, safety-first design that places all serviceable components on the outside of the casing to permit inspections, part replacement and other maintenance to be performed without requiring human entry inside the unit. The dust collectors also include a front loading filter cartridge array that enables filter inspection and replacement to be performed by one person from outside the unit with no tools by simply sliding the cartridge in and out like a file drawer. The line encompasses seven different units ranging in capacity from 12 to 64 filters.

Precision AirConvey

The AM Air Monitoring System can detect, identify and measure a wide range of compounds simultaneously, within seconds of start-up. Analysis is onsite through a continuous sampling path of up to 1000 meters. The system can provide continuous, unattended, near real-time detection at ppb to % levels for hundreds of chemicals. Each system includes a rugged, sealed 0.5cm-1 resolution interferometer equipped with a choice of beamsplitters and detectors. The analyzer is coupled to a control PC via standard ribbon cable or long range fiber optic link.

MIDAC

The thermal anemometers come with intuitive operation and a large display to view measurements. Enhanced features include LogDat2™, an easy to operate software package that simplifies data logging and reporting. Downloading data through USB has increased speed and wireless Bluetooth® printing capability to an optional portable printer. The Indoor Air Quality instruments are lightweight, compact units capable of making quick, accurate and real-time measurements of key IAQ parameters. Data can be saved and statistics reviewed on the instruments. Standard with each instrument, a calibration certificate that ensures the instruments are reliable and accurate, even at low flows.

ITM Instruments Inc.

The FDC Controller provides user-friendly and reliable pulse cleaning control for all types of cartridge and baghouse dust collection systems. Using factory-programmed or customer-selected settings, the unit monitors pressure differential across the filters to ensure more efficient pulse cleaning, reducing compressed air energy usage and extending filter life. The FDC Controller is easily operated due to clear permanent instructions posted on the NEMA 4X water- and chemical-proof box. A pulse cleaning switch on the front of the box allows the user to turn pulsing off, to pulse continuously based on pre-determined settings, or to clean "on demand" when the high pressure setting is reached and a dirty filter alarm sounds.

Farr APC

The Nederman NCF is a series of fans specially designed for large air flows. The NCF is built to withstand continuous use and is available in many different sizes. The range also includes models with built-in spark protection specially designed for dust applications in explosion risk environments. NCF EX fans are sized to correspond to the capacity requirements of one, two or three FilterMax modules. NCF EX fans also have explosion protected motors.

Nederman

The Model D1000 cartridge-type dust collector has sufficient capacity for large manual blast cabinets with direct pressure media delivery. It is also suitable for the dust collection requirements of moderate-sized automated blasting systems with multiple blast guns. Specially designed for cabinet-blast dust collection, the D1000 has a butterfly-type blast gate with a clearly indexed dial face and a positive-set locking screw, features that facilitate adjustment and fine-tuning of the cyclone separator and the blast media reclamation system.

Guyson Corporation

The Eurovac II -- 4 Man Central System features a powerful 5HP pump which produces 100 inches of water column and 206 inches of free-flow CFM. Primary cyclonic filtration removes 85 per cent of sanding dust before secondary cartridge filter, resulting in a longer life and less cleaning required for the cartridge filter. It comes with compressed air pulse jet cleaning. Its muffler and blue-vinyl coated insulated metal cabinet reduce noise level below 70 dBA. Properly engineered pipe, graduated 3 inches to 2 inches, maintains optimum velocity and reduces friction losses. On/off feature controlled by micro switch, turns system on and off when hose is plugged in.

Eurovac

The CEC backward curved EC motorized impeller is a precision balanced air-moving device that is suited to applications where space is limited. The unique coupling of the motor and impeller minimizes space requirement and provides for vibration free operation. Applications include: electronic cabinet cooling, clean room modules, heat exchanger, air filtration, plastic extrusion, fume hoods.

Aeroflo Inc.

The SourceArm® has a unique design and construction which results in a freely suspended arm. The external support system not only allows for ease of adjustments, it also allows unrestricted movement of air, making for a clean work environment.

Sourcetec Industries Inc.

The "Self-Dumping Hopper" simplifies the disposal of dust captured by cartridge-style dust collection systems. Easy to use, the hopper is offered in two capacities and is ideal for a full range of dry dusts, including those that must be reclaimed or recycled after the collection process. The entire Self-Dumping Hopper assembly is designed to provide easy dust disposal while protecting against unwanted dust leakage between the collector and hopper. A slide gate and flexible quick-disconnect hose connect the two components together and the hopper lid is fastened with rubber clamps that create a gasketed seal to prevent dust from escaping.

Farr APC

The Ultra-Web nanofiber technology line now includes a high efficiency cartridge. Ultra-Web SB with MERV 15 efficiency is a tough filter suited for applications that face challenges from agglomerative dust in industries such as chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, textile, grain, woodworking, metalworking and others. The filter media combines the excellent surface-loading and dust release capabilities of high efficiency Ultra-Web technology with a strong spunbond polyester substrate for enhanced durability, moisture and chemical tolerance.

Donaldson Torit

The Dual 11" High Performance fan has a lightweight and compact design that makes it suitable for a wide range of car and truck applications. It features a paddle blade design for low operating noise and to achieve a maximum airflow of 2,780 cubic feet per minute. The efficient dual setup combines two 11" fans in a stylish, custom fan shroud.

SPAL USA

The Ultra-Efficient Chilled Water Integrated Plant Package (IPP-CHW) incorporates the Armstrong VIL Series 4300 pumps, Turbocor oil-free frictionless compressors and the Armstrong IPC 11550 Ultra-Efficient Chilled Water Plant Control Systems, which utilizes the Hartman LOOP technology to achieve energy efficiency in cooling applications. The IPP-CHW is able to use less energy because it is an all-variable speed, fully automated system, using the Armstrong Integrated Plant Controller (IPC). As a result, system components do not always run at 100%. Rather, the pumps increase or decrease flow to meet demand and maintain optimal efficiency.

S.A. Armstrong Limited

The C3 Cold Climate Cooler System offers process cooling in cold weather areas. The system uses ambient air temperature to cool fluid in a closed-loop system that does not require make-up water or expensive chemical treatments. The C3 system is available with cooling capacities up to 140 tons and flow capacities up to 390 gpm. It is available in multiple sizes and configurations with a variety of pumping capacities, all with an energy-efficient design.

Mokon

Continental Fan's SCB and SCN single phase AC controls are designed for simple and easy fan speed control. Two models are available: the manually operated SCB control wth adjustable minimum speed setting and the network compatible SCN control with LED indicators. The controls are ideally suited for single phase motorized impellers and axial fans.

Aeroflo Inc.

The AutoAire® cut-off gate automatically opens needed duct branches when a machine is turned on, while closing off inactive branches and machines. This fully utilizes the pick-up power of a collection system by applying as much vacuum as possible, only when and where needed, allowing a smaller fan to handle a system with many branches. The gates allow sizing of the collector system based on the true usage, rather than the total requirement. They are easily installed in the air-handling ductwork.

K&B Duct

Canadian Industrial Equipment News September 2008

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