Newton Fund - LASTEC-Laser surface texturing of compressor’s mechanical components: Increasing energy efficiency by improved tribological performance

Project LASTEC (Laser Surface Texturing of Compressor’s Mechanical Components: Increasing Energy Efficiency by Improved Tribological
Performance) involves innovation and optimisation of an advanced laser-based manufacturing process aimed at diminishing power
consumption on refrigeration systems. The project is aligned with the “Energy” theme of the SENAI-SESI / Innovate UK competition,
more specifically, with the topic “optimization of manufacturing processes to diminish power consumption”. Thus, the project aims at
developing a dry, solvent free environmentally friendly, one-step process, using flexible and efficient laser surface texturing for
compressor’s mechanical components. This will increase significantly the compressor energy efficiency, reduce its power consumption
and extend its lifespan for countless household and commercial refrigeration systems in Brazil and in the world. The laser-based process
is expected to improve the tribological performance of the mechanical components by creating textures capable of reducing the friction
coefficient (friction forces) between the compressor’s mating and reciprocating surfaces. To develop the project, EMBRACO, the global
leader in manufacturing of hermetic compressors, will join forces with the SENAI Innovation Institutes (ISI-Laser, ISI-SM and ISI-Eng.
Superfícies) as well as Oxford Lasers Ltd, a 40 years old UK based company working on the design and manufacture of custom turnkey
laser micromachining systems for advanced manufacturing and R&D activities.