In my most recent PODCAST, I got to speak to Jeff Hamm about the relaunch of the improved Aurora Plus Dispensing System.
Most modern commercial laundry systems require precise chemical dispensing to achieve optimal cleaning results. The Aurora Plus represents a significant advancement in commercial laundry systems technology, building upon DEMA Engineering’s decades of experience in the industry.
Jeff Hamm, Global Electronics Product Manager at DEMA Engineering, brings over 20 years of experience in the chemical service industry. During the podcast, he explained that while the Aurora system has been on the market for over seven years, the latest iteration – Aurora Plus – represents a significant evolution based on customer feedback and market changes.
“The Aurora laundry system isn’t completely new,” Jeff explained. “It’s been out seven plus years now. We’ve just had quite a bit of an evolution in the product, based on customer feedback and changes in the marketplace.”
Why Peristaltic Pumps Remain the Gold Standard
One of the most interesting revelations from the podcast was DEMA’s commitment to peristaltic pump technology despite industry trends moving toward other pumping methods.
“The marketplace has shifted here in the past five to ten years,” Jeff noted. “There’s been a movement away from the peristaltic pump with venturi, diaphragms, and various other means of pumping chemicals to the washers.”
However, after extensive testing of alternatives, DEMA concluded that peristaltic pumps remain the most reliable solution – they just needed to address two key challenges:
- Diminishing flow rates as the squeeze tubes wear down
- The need for frequent calibration
What many might not know is that peristaltic pump technology has an impressive pedigree. As Jeff pointed out, “The peristaltic pump was actually invented in 1924. It didn’t become used in the heart-lung machine until 1953… That’s 72 years that peristaltic pumps have been used in the most sensitive application you can imagine. Life and death, literally.”
Key Features of the Aurora Plus System
The Aurora Plus system introduces several innovative features designed to address common pain points in commercial laundry operations:
1. Continuous Measurement System (CMS) Flow Meter
Perhaps the most groundbreaking feature of the Aurora Plus is its CMS flow meter, which automatically calibrates the system.
“Our flow meter is truly unique,” Jeff explained. “It’s not just your typical flow meter where you calibrate it in the same way you do peristaltic pumps. It’s actually an automatically calibrated flow meter because it measures water displacement and not chemical.”
This means:
- No manual calibration required at installation
- The system updates the flow rate every 10 pump runs
- Automatic adjustment for squeeze tube wear
2. Extended Squeeze Tube Life
The combination of the larger P-Pump and the CMS flow meter results in significantly extended squeeze tube life:
“What we discovered over the past five years is that it had phenomenal squeeze tube life,” Jeff shared. “In combining that squeeze tube with our continuous measurement system flow meter, they were getting six to 12 months of squeeze tube life.”
This represents a dramatic improvement over the industry standard of changing tubes every three months.
3. Multi-Washer Capability
The Aurora Plus can serve up to four washers with up to seven pumps in one system. Everything needed for installation comes in a single box, making setup faster and more straightforward.
“Aurora Plus can serve up to four washers. It’s meant to be used for at least two washers, but two, three, or four washer configurations, up to seven pumps; it’s all in one system,” Jeff explained.
4. Comprehensive Monitoring and Alerts
The system provides detailed monitoring and alerts, including:
- Squeeze tube warnings when the flow rate drops to 5 ounces per minute
- Out-of-product alarms at approximately 2 ounces per minute
- Detailed event logging for troubleshooting
Integrating with Your Commercial Washing Machine
The Aurora Plus system can be connected to virtually any commercial washing machine on the market today. Whether you’re using a Speed Queen commercial washer, a Maytag commercial technology washer, or other brands, the Aurora Plus is designed for seamless integration.
“The system, Aurora Plus, requires that there be a flush manifold,” Jeff noted, explaining that the CMS flow meter requires this component for proper operation.
Proper chemical dispensing is crucial for extending the life of your commercial washing machine. The automatic calibration feature ensures consistent results regardless of which commercial washing machine you’re using.
Remote Monitoring: A Game-Changer for Laundry Operations
One of the most valuable aspects of the Aurora Plus system is its remote monitoring capabilities. The system can be connected via a reliable cellular connection, allowing for:
- Real-time alerts via text or email
- Detailed event logging for troubleshooting
- Documentation of how long a pump has been out of production
Jeff shared a typical scenario where this proves invaluable: “One of the biggest problems I used to have as a laundry chemical specialist was that I would get an emergency call or I’d have a customer who was concerned they weren’t getting bleach or something wasn’t going right. And in unfortunate circumstances, I had to drive for hours to the laundry. And by the time I got there, whatever was happening wasn’t happening anymore.”
With Aurora Plus, technicians can access detailed logs remotely, allowing them to diagnose issues without unnecessary site visits.
The DEMA Connect App: Simplifying Programming and Control
The DEMA Connect app complements the Aurora Plus system, available for both iOS and Android devices. This app allows for:
- Local connectivity via Bluetooth (within 20-30 yards of the dispenser)
- Intuitive programming interface
- Ability to save programming for future installations
“The Dema Connect app is so intuitive that we don’t have a tech manual for it,” Jeff mentioned. “We don’t have instructions because everybody who has a phone understands how to use it.”
This simplifies the programming process significantly, allowing for quick setup and adjustments.
Cost Considerations for Hotel Laundry Equipment
Investing in quality hotel laundry equipment like the Aurora Plus can significantly reduce operational costs over time. While previous versions of the Aurora system were primarily cost-effective for larger operations, the Aurora Plus has been redesigned to be economical for smaller setups as well.
“As great as Aurora was and is, the price point until you got into a four-washer laundry was too expensive,” Jeff admitted. “So most of our customers weren’t able to experience how great a system it is.”
The Aurora Plus addresses this issue: “On a cost per washer basis, Aurora Plus is approximately the same as a V-Line or an Atlas. It falls right between the price of a V-Line and an Atlas with a flush manifold on a per-washer basis.”
Real-World Benefits for Hospitality Laundry Operations
The practical benefits of the Aurora Plus system for hospitality laundry operations include:
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: With squeeze tubes lasting 6-12 months instead of 3 months, maintenance requirements and costs are significantly reduced.
- Consistent Results: The automatic calibration ensures accurate chemical dosing regardless of squeeze tube wear, leading to consistently clean laundry.
- Fewer Emergency Service Calls: Remote monitoring and detailed event logging allow for proactive maintenance and remote troubleshooting.
- Simplified Installation and Programming: The all-in-one system and intuitive app make setup and programming straightforward.
- Adaptability to Water Pressure Variations: Unlike systems that rely on site water conditions, the peristaltic pump technology ensures consistent performance regardless of water pressure fluctuations.
Why DEMA Engineering Stands Out
DEMA Engineering has been in business since 1956, starting with their original faucet proportioner, which they still sell today. The company name itself is an acronym for Deutsch and McDougal, the founders of the company.
Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, DEMA has built a reputation for reliability and customer service. As Jeff put it, “We really see our customers as partners, and we’ll go above and beyond to make sure everybody’s taken care of.”
This commitment to customer service extends to their product development philosophy. The Aurora Plus system is the result of years of customer feedback and market observation, resulting in a solution that addresses real-world challenges faced by laundry operators.
Conclusion: The Future of Laundry Chemical Dispensing
The Aurora Plus system represents a significant step forward in laundry chemical dispensing technology. By addressing the traditional limitations of peristaltic pumps while maintaining their reliability, DEMA Engineering has created a solution that offers the best of both worlds.
For chemical providers and laundry operators looking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure consistent results, the Aurora Plus system offers a compelling package of features and benefits. The combination of extended squeeze tube life, automatic calibration, remote monitoring, and multi-washer capability makes it a valuable addition to any commercial laundry operation.
As the laundry
industry continues to seek ways to optimize operations and reduce costs, innovations like the Aurora Plus system demonstrate how thoughtful engineering and customer-focused design can solve long-standing challenges in commercial laundry systems.
For more information about the Aurora Plus system or visit DEMA Engineering’s website or contact Jeff Hamm at Jeffh@demaeng.com