Super-efficient XRHS 650 PACE air compressor from Atlas Copco puts drilling through its PACES

The XRHS 650 PACE, part of Atlas Copco’s industry-leading XAS boX range, delivers an unparalleled air compressor solution for blast hole and water well drilling applications in the mining and quarrying sectors in terms of performance, efficiency, reliability, versatility and serviceability.

These optimised size-to-flow XAS boX air compressors deliver a size, flow and fuel efficiency trio that is unequalled in the market. The design of this range is focussed on a strategic triangle with Atlas Copco making sure that they excelled on not one or two, but on all three areas so that there is absolutely no wasted excellence.

But Atlas Copco did not stop its pursuit of efficiency there. “With the introduction of PACE (Pressure Adjusted through Cognitive Electronics) technology we have raised the efficiency bar even higher,” says David Stanford, Business Line Manager for Atlas Copco Power Technique. “As the name suggests, this intuitive electronic pressure regulation system, which is programmed via a digital controller, brings a wider operating pressure range and allows multiple pressure and flow combinations within a single compressor, further optimising compressor efficiency, especially at partial load or idle status.

“This smart PACE technology enables customers to cost-efficiently cover the application needs of, on average, three fixed pressure compressors with only one machine, subsequently increasing utilisation, improving fuel economy as well as autonomy!” emphasises Stanford. “Furthermore, the versatility of three machines in one package reduces both CAPEX and OPEX delivering lowest overall total cost of ownership to end customers.” In addition to the XRHS 650, PACE is also available on the XAHS 400, XAVS 600, XAHS700 and XATS850 machines in the XAS boX range.

When it comes to ruggedness, these machines are simply second-to-none. Featuring a standard operating temperature range of -10° to +50°C, high altitudes of up to 4 500m and dusty, hot or cold environments present no challenge for the XRHS 650 PACE; its efficient, optimal and reliable performance remains uncompromised.

Machine serviceability for optimised utilisation is another primary engineering focus point for Atlas Copco. The XRHS 650 PACE boasts an impressive service interval of 1000 hours for the compressor and 500 hours for the engine. In addition, a simple vessel cover and easy-to-reach components further facilitate servicing and maintenance, keeping downtime to an absolute minimum.

Boasting one of the smallest footprints in the market, the compact XRHS 650 PACE is easy to transport and manoeuvre around the job site, boosting uptime and productivity. “Incorporating ten years of continuous R&D in air technology, our innovative XAS boX range signifies the company’s forward-thinking philosophy of anticipating and even exceeding customers’ future needs without compromising our environmental principles,” says Stanford. “Subsequently, these best-in-class air compressors are exactly what customers are asking for when it comes to their compressed air requirements; highly efficient and reliable compressed air delivered by a straight forward, compact, robust and versatile machine,” he concludes.