Colmac Industries, Inc. introduces several new features and upgrades to their popular AccuCounter® soiled linen counting system. Their patented Variable-On- Demand Vacuum System saves energy and maintenance costs, and provides longer motor life. The vacuum motor operates with controlled acceleration and deceleration and runs only when the operator is counting, not while sitting idle. The mechanical blast gate damper for controlling the vacuum is eliminated and there is no “dead head” effect by the vacuum motor. The system, therefore, uses less energy and moving parts, reduces maintenance, and decreases noise. With Colmac’s bulk classifier system, the fan motor also runs at various speeds depending on the need for vacuum demand from the workstations, which also saves energy.

Colmac has redesigned the AccuCounter® software with an updated operator interface screen. The user screen displays diagnostic information, photos of inventory items, and symbols to help the operator more efficiently control and monitor the system. Additional operator productivity averages are displayed, as well as a list of complaint reasons to choose from for alerting management of excess debris or hazardous items contained within a soiled linen bag. The operator is asked for the reason he is logging off the system, which is reported on the Operator Productivity Report.

The new AccuCounter® system uses Dell™ computers and other high quality, industry standard components offering greater reliability. A 15-inch industrial grade LCD touch screen monitor is also standard.

The AccuCounter’s® proprietary PLC logic has been redesigned to accurately count only one piece while the sensor is blocked. This becomes critical with wet bar mops and large tablecloths when vacuum decreases due to excess paper trash clogging the system.

Rounding out the system are galvanized metal vacuum transport tubes with quick-release clamps. Compared to traditional PVC pipe, these tubes offer a smoother inner surface, are not prone to air leaks, are easier to install, and allow for convenient access to jams.

Colmac is pleased to announce the promotion of W.C. ‘Cam’ Buffington as President and Chief Operating Officer of Colmac Industries, Inc. He replaces Scott McMillan, who will remain as CEO and Chairman, a position he has held since the retirement of his father, Roger McMillan in 2005. Buffington will be the first president of Colmac Industries other than a McMillan since Jerry McMillan founded the company in 1959.

Buffington worked for Colmac Coil Manufacturing for over 15 years and held the position of Vice President since 1996.

Buffington received a B.A. in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University. He is Past President/Chairman of the Board of Directors for EWU Alumni Association, and Past President of the Board of Advisors for EWU College of Business.

Scenario: The operator encounters a bag of linens that is not tagged with the invoice / ticket number in the usual way. However, the operator knows the customer’s account number through some other means. The operator may enter the account number, push the appropriate key, and then choose from a list of available invoice numbers for that customer.

(see photo)

1. Enter the customer number instead of an invoice/ticket number.

2. Push the “Cust Lookup” button (See A). This instructs the computer to look up all invoice numbers that belong to the customer.

The computer will display all invoice numbers that belong to the customer, along with the delivery/pick-up date, and a brief description of the items on the ticket.

(see photo)

After it is determined which invoice number to select, push the area that contains the correct number under the column marked “TICKET” or “DATE”.

The invoice number that the operator chooses will now be displayed in the entry box. The operator can now push the green enter button as usual to begin counting.

Remember, the purpose of the “CUST LOOKUP” button is to use the customer number to find the correct ticket number for a bag of linens that is not tagged in the usual manner.

While CoolMac™ captures unwanted excess heat from warm air generated in the work area, the heat is recovered and pumped into the hot water system where it can be utilized to heat water and reduce fuel consumption.

A lot of energy is required to heat water, and for operations that depend upon large quantities of hot water, the related cost drain is significant considering rising energy costs. Typically, the use of electricity and fossil fuels results in negative efficiency levels. For every unit of energy consumed, the system at best will gain about 0.95 units. With CoolMac™ in operation, the opposite occurs – for every unit of energy consumed, three or more units are gained.

The net result of heat pump technology and Colmac`s advanced engineering translates to operating efficiencies that range from three to six times more than conventional water heating methods. Using small amounts of electricity, CoolMac™ actually multiplies the absorbed heat several times, resulting in water temperatures that can exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees C). The benefit is zero cost to generate heat, and only minimal cost to transfer it.

Since laundry, linen supply and kitchen work environments are plagued by excessive heat loads, most are not air-conditioned. Given today’s tight operating margins, the electrical operating costs to provide air conditioning would represent too large an expense for these businesses, and intense heat sources in their local work areas present additional design challenges.

A by-product is cooler, drier air that can be used to provide indoor spot cooling where large amounts of heat are generated in confined spaces. Instead of contributing to the building heat load problem, CoolMac™ captures heat rather than wasting it into the atmosphere. Every time the unit runs, it provides cool air for employees while supplying inexpensive hot water. In the process it also reduces the demand on other equipment, further decreasing overall energy costs.

Wade Linen Service in Columbus, Georgia installed two CoolMac™ HPA-11 air-source Heat Pump Water Heaters that provide 20-22 total tons of air cooling and 280,000-350,000 BTU/h total water heating capacity. Phase II of the Wade Linen installation included 33 ducted cooling stations. The pre-heating configuration for the plant hot water system accommodates approximately 1600 gallons storage. Wade Linen recently experienced 100 degree plus temperatures, and when asked if he observed increased employee productivity as a result of the CoolMac™ equipment, owner Tripp Wade commented: “our production has improved, and employee morale is definitely boosted.”

CoolMac™ makes your work force more productive by providing a cooler working environment, better ergonomics, and less heat stress.

For more information, contact Colmac Industries, Inc., PO Box 72, Colville, WA 99114 (1-800-926-5622).

On May 30, 2003, Colmac acquired all the assets and continuing operations of Count On Us Corporation, Kansas City, Missouri.

Colmac manufactures a complete line of laundry and drycleaning finishing equipment, including tunnel finishers capable of processing thousands of garments per hour, automated garment presses, hangering and conveyor systems, and heat pump water heaters for the concurrent production of cool dehumidified air and hot water. Since its founding in 1957, Colmac has built a reputation for engineering durable and efficient equipment, and they now provide service and technical support for their products in over 45 countries.

Count On Us Corp. manufactures their well known AccuCounter® vacuum soil-counting systems and light-frame counters. In addition, their multi-frame bulk-counting system allows for substantial efficiency gains in hospital and hotel laundry operations.

Colmac president Scott McMillan plans to retain all employees and integrate the company into his well-established organization, capitalizing on its distinguished service, distribution, and engineering capabilities. This will result in enhanced customer support for Count-On-Us products and the integration of new technologies across several product lines, said McMillan.

At the Clean Show, Colmac will exhibit vacuum soil counting and sorting products in booth 347, and garment finishing automation products in booth 1414. This biennial event is the industry’s largest, and in 2003 it will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 11-14.

Web sites:
Colmac Industries: www.colmacind.com
Count On Us Corp.: www.coucorp.com