Seating supplier Ipeco has expanded its growing presence within the aircraft galley insert market with the introduction of SAROS, a new range of inserts for both new and retrofit installations. These products combine technological innovation and robust performance, improving food and beverage service for large corporate jet owners and operators worldwide.
“Key features include the ability to brew 1.5 litres of beverage to 88⁰C in under four minutes," says senior project engineer Luis Ruiz. "However, its flow-through heating, which facilitates non-stop brewing, is the game-changer, generating instant access to hot coffee or hot water.”
Due to the flow-through heater system the SAROS beverage maker can perform back-to-back brewing without any pre-heat/re-fill/re-heating time; this generates significant efficiencies for crew and improves passenger satisfaction. Between long periods of non-use, it will also autonomously maintain the temperature within the heater to ensure that there is always instant access to hot water from the tap and to ensure the next brew cycle is ready to go immediately.
Key to this project was the delivery of a great user experience in the busy and highly regulated environment of the aircraft. This required a highly considered approach to the development of the simple and intuitive menu architecture and control panel. Ruiz adds: “The light bar display features patented technology unique to the SAROS range. This presents a live output of the equipment's status providing cabin crew with important information.”
The SAROS beverage maker is designed to reduce the effects of limescale build-up on critical control and safety components by limiting their contact with hot water. The flow-through heater design also reduces the amount of water stored within the system and therefore lowers the amount of potential limescale deposited into the hydraulics, improving reliability and maintainability.
“The Ipeco SAROS beverage maker has undertaken the most extensive test programme we have ever conducted, to guarantee its performance and planned in-service life. We are delivering an attractive unit with innovative features for large corporate jet operators around the world,” says VP business development Andrew Braley. “Ipeco is also able to offer a 24/7 customer support service through its global presence with spares distribution, repair and service centres in Brazil, North America, UK, Dubai, New Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.”