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| Per-Ake Wahlberg |
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Per-Ake Wahlberg started designing energy saving cylinders in 1996. His energy saving cylinder designs were patented and later manufacturered and sold in Sweden through the Company POS-Line, which bought all rights to his inventions. Prior to specializing in pneumatic cylinder design, Per-Ake worked for over twenty years in product development and engineering.
This picture shows Per-Ake accepting the Venture Cup award for his innovative work on X-Block® end-'06. In April, 2007, X-design won 1st place in the Venture Cup competition for Sweden-North. In May, X-design won 3rd place in the same McKinsey & Company competition for all of Sweden. There were around 1,200 contestants for this 7 month long process.
In 2002, Per-Ake invented a pneumatic saving device, which could be universally applied to all types of cylinder configurations, valves and compressors. The idea was to easily incorporate a simple device to all installations thereby providing a cost effective way for all industries using pneumatics in their production to save energy. Prototypes of the device where developed and fully tested in 2005. The design and unique concept surrounding the device was patent applied for in 2005 with the patent approved in mid-2006.
X-design AB was established in 2002 as a single purpose Company for the product development and commercialization of X-Block®. The product is made by a specialized metallurgy firm in Northern Sweden.
John Dennis joined X-design AB at the end of 2005 as an advisor and investor. He is currently helping establish distribution channels for the product in North America and Europe. He has 20- years prior experience providing strategic and financial advice to newly established companies.
In 2006, a series of lab tests were conducted both in-house and at the Technical University of Lulea, Sweden. These tests confirmed the significant energy savings from the device with results ranging from 35-70% energy savings depending on pressure, loads, size of cylinders, use of speed regulators, etc. The Swedish Department of Energy upon review of the technology provided research grant money to support the installation and verification of the device at three Swedish companies.
In July, 2006, a first beta test was successfully completed at Stenvalls Trä AB, Sweden (www.stenvalls.se). Significant energy savings and speed increases were verified by AF-Consulting Group in conjunction with the Swedish Department of Energy. Two more tests demonstrating over 60% energy savings were made under the same conditions. Noise reductions and speed increases were noted in all 3- tests.These tests are continuously being monitored at these sites, which continue using X-Block® (see beta test 1).
Several beta tests were also done in the U.S. in 2006 and verified by a third party air auditing firm with similar results. In early 2007, Burton Hydraulics & Pneumatics Ltd. (www.burtonhydraulics.co.uk) started installing the device at a number of sites in the U.K.
An Operating and Installation manual along with education materials were completed in 2006.
X-design (U.K.) ltd. was established in early 2009. Steve Partington is the Managing Director (see contact details).
X-design believes its product will help industry face higher energy costs and growing public concern over carbon dioxide or CO2 emissions (see CO2).
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