High productivity MPE for the HVAC&R industry - MPE30

Implementation of proven solutions are prioritized in the last phase of the project. A few trials and verification activities will also be finished before the project finishes. The project is progressing according to plan and the last deliverable and milestone is due June 30th 2016.

In the HVAC&R market segment (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) copper is the preferred material. Increased demand of copper has strained the world wide supply chain and driven the price up. Thus, there is a potential for significa nt cost savings by substituting expensive copper material with aluminium within the HVAC&R market. With a global market share of more than 40%, Hydro Aluminium Precision Tubing (HAPT) is the world leader in supplying thin walled extruded aluminium tubing in the automotive sector. In an effort to grow, bold targets have been set to get a bigger share into the HVAC&R market, replacing copper with aluminium. In this project the objective is to promote the use of aluminium within the HVAC&R market by provid ing technological solutions for the required increased productivity and cost efficient production. This includes innovative and possible step change solutions both on the extrusion - process and the -die side. Expected achievements will be on: - improved process control (flow and temperature), - improved surface properties, and - improved die design and die material. In order to achieve necessary improvements in productivity and reduction of surface defects, the understanding of the complex thermo-mechani cal process and the interaction with the press equipment needs to be taken to significantly higher levels than it is today. To address these problems, the project will focus on increased productivity, reduced surface defects and implementation of technica l solutions. The technical solutions developed in this project will improve cost efficiency of the process and the quality of the product. This will enable Hydro to further increase the market share in the HVAC&R industry.