We are proud to have been producing our own nitrogen since 2010.

Producing Our Own Nitrogen

Nitrogen plays a crucial role in laser cutting. It is the assist gas for the laser beam which blows away the molten material while cutting. Instead of buying in bottled gas or having it delivered to store on site, we chose to produce it ourselves using a nitrogen generator. These generators can assist various high-pressure applications.

The Original Investment

We have been producing our own nitrogen since the first nitrogen generator was installed in 2010. It was housed under the offices and supplied three C02 lasers in a single factory before we extended a few years later. These original lasers used C02 in gas tubes to deliver the laser beam to the nozzle to cut. The technology seems very old-fashioned now compared with fiber laser, but at the time, it was at the forefront of laser technology.

We originally invested in a nitrogen generator as a cost-effective solution to growing nitrogen demand. Previously we relied on regular nitrogen deliveries to our site. However, higher laser usage meant increased consumption which could have ultimately lead to us running out completely. Producing our own nitrogen is a much more efficient and cost-effective way to ensure a continuous supply meets demand.

How Fiber Lasers Changed Nitrogen Demand

In 2018 the nitrogen generator was updated. The technology was already getting outdated and it helped to prepare for future investments. The arrival of the 10Kw fiber laser in 2019 meant we needed to significantly increase the capacity of the nitrogen generator. Fiber lasers can run much faster than C02 lasers which results in higher nitrogen consumption. We needed to expand it so it could meet the demands of the fiber laser. A further fiber laser was installed in 2022 which also added to the demand for nitrogen.

The most recent upgrade was a new generator installed in 2024. This system is more energy-efficient, consuming less power and providing greater control over nitrogen production, boosters, and storage. It is designed to meet the demands of all four lasers we now have. When the demand is low then the storage tanks can be filled for future use then it turns off automatically. It works similarly to a thermostat where it produces nitrogen up to a certain pressure, then when it reaches this level (PSI) it stops.

Shaun’s Insights

Shaun has been at Midtherm Laser for 10 years and is our workshop supervisor. The Nitrogen generator was already installed when Shaun started here but he has overseen the upgrades in recent years.

Shaun shared his thoughts on the upgraded system: “The new system is much better as it’s much easier to control. We can run specific components instead of everything at once. Making our own nitrogen means we wont run out and we don’t have to reply on deliveries.”

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

We recently came across an article from January 2012, written shortly after having the nitrogen generator installed.

“Consideration of environmental issues is important to the company as part of its ISO14001 certification. By installing nitrogen generation from MSS lasers, not only has it reduced the carbon emissions associated with nitrogen delivery vehicles, but the VSD compressor, as well as driving the nitrogen generation plant, has replaced the four compressors previously used within the factory, further cutting energy consumption.” Dean Cockayne, Managing Director at the time, concludes, “The MSS Lasers nitrogen generator is crucial to the performance of our company as we rely on it entirely. It has helped us reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve product quality. We are now fully in control of our nitrogen supply, enabling us to plan our production schedules far more effectively.”

Since its installation, the nitrogen generator has helped us to reduce our energy consumption. We have been actively monitoring this since 2018 when we saw the real impact of on-site nitrogen generating. This has all contributed towards reaching our goal of reducing electricity consumption by 50%. With the further upgrade in 2024 which boosted the efficiency, the energy savings are expected to increase further. Looking to the future, there are targets to produce solar energy to power the generator. To read more about our energy saving, please click here or, if you would like more information on nitrogen generating, please speak to our director, Mark Hannon.