The efficiency of a metal processing plant depends on its machines, but also on the auxiliary supplies that keep production running. Nitrogen used as an assist gas in laser cutting is one of those resources that must be available whenever the process requires it.
Mendaur, a company in Gipuzkoa with more than 30 years of experience in laser cutting and metal bending, decided to bring nitrogen production in-house. Its aim was to simplify supply operations and gain greater autonomy.
To do so, GasN2 implemented a high-purity, high-pressure GN27HP nitrogen generation solution, tailored to Mendaur’s metalworking activity.
The goal: replacing rack resupply with in-house production
The previous supply relied on high-pressure nitrogen racks. Mendaur was using 20 racks of 270 m³ a month, which meant 14 resupply trips a month.
This model involved coordinating transport, preparing storage and devoting staff time to the connections and disconnections required at each replacement.
Mendaur wanted to reduce these tasks and have a supply integrated into the factory’s planning. The decision was approached as an operational improvement: less dependence on external transport, more control over supply and better use of internal resources.
The solution: a 24 Nm³/h GN27HP generator
GasN2 installed a generation system with a capacity of 24 Nm³/h and a nitrogen purity of 99.995%, followed by a recompression stage that reaches 300 bar.
Nm³/h describes volumetric flow under normalised conditions, while bar expresses pressure. They are different quantities and, when sizing a system, it is important to check both against the actual demand profile.
Air treatment and supply quality
The installation includes air compression and treatment in accordance with ISO 8573-1, a GN27HP generator and recompression up to 300 bar.
Air conditioning helps limit moisture and other contaminants that could affect the separation system. Nitrogen purity is set according to the cutting application and its technical requirements.
Integration into plant operations
The system features remote control, data logging and digital display of operating parameters. Its modular architecture allows for expansion when production needs change.
These features make technical monitoring of the equipment and coordination with maintenance operations easier.
Benefits: fewer auxiliary tasks and greater autonomy
The GN27HP has allowed Mendaur to eliminate racks and their road transport, with a continuous and more reliable supply.
The improvement mainly affects internal organisation: with no more resupply, the tasks of receiving and handling containers and the time spent preparing changeovers disappear. Staff can devote more attention to activities directly linked to production and maintenance.
On-site generation provides greater control over nitrogen availability.
Environmental impact of transport
Transporting the racks generated 4,115 kg of CO₂ a year. Eliminating it is equivalent to planting 288 trees.
Self-sufficiency in the metalworking shop
The Mendaur case shows that an engineering improvement can turn recurring logistics tasks into a supply integrated into the plant. In-house generation provides autonomy and simplifies auxiliary operations without altering the core work of cutting and bending.
To replicate this solution, it is advisable to analyse average and peak consumption, hours of use and required pressure. You can explore these factors in our article on how to size nitrogen generation.
See the Mendaur success story and GasN2 solutions for the iron and steel industry. If you would like to assess on-site generation, contact our technical team.
