Digitalization of the Aquarial line of evaporative coolers
FAE Technology
Elettronica GF
The context
The industrial cooling sector is undergoing a crucial phase of technological evolution. Manufacturing companies are seeking solutions capable of reducing energy consumption and environmental impact while ensuring comfort and productivity. Emerging cooling technologies are positioning themselves as sustainable alternatives to traditional systems, with the challenge of integrating with Industry 4.0 principles to enable remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and continuous optimization.
The client
Socaf S.p.A. is an Italian leader with over 40 years of experience in workplace air quality. Since 1982, it has provided professional cleaning solutions, and in 2004 it expanded its offering with the Aquarial line of industrial evaporative coolers, becoming a key reference for ecological and sustainable climate control.
Needs
Socaf needed to digitalize its product line to remain competitive. Traditional coolers lacked connectivity and monitoring sensors, limiting the possibility of offering advanced services such as predictive maintenance and remote control.
The company required a modular and scalable solution capable of supporting future growth.
The solution: an integrated ODM approach
FAE Technology developed a fully integrated technological platform that completely digitalizes the Aquarial line, leveraging its capabilities as an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) with full control of the entire value chain.
End-to-end expertise
Hardware: Design and supply of customized electronic boards optimized for reliability, energy efficiency, and resistance to industrial environments.
Embedded Computing: Centralized control system on a 10'' touch panel PC (model 3HI30) featuring embedded software for command, program management, and data collection, developed by Elettronica GF.
Cloud Platform: Proprietary platform that replicates the control panel in real time on desktop and mobile, stores data, and enables data analytics for continuous optimization.
The system enables smart weekly scheduling, real-time monitoring, anomaly notifications, and preventive maintenance, reducing downtime and service costs.
Additionally, Socaf is a partner in the European ReLife4PCBA project, led by FAE Technology, which develops an integrated system for the recovery and regeneration of electronic boards. Within this initiative, Aquarial serves as a pilot case to test the full circular economy cycle: digital traceability of PCBs during cooler maintenance, fault diagnosis, and end-of-life component regeneration.
This strengthens Socaf’s commitment to sustainability, positioning it as an ideal partner for companies seeking to combine productivity and environmental responsibility in a circular economy model.
Benefits and results
Digital transformation completed
Socaf is now positioned as a provider of advanced technological solutions, offering remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and continuous optimization. Remote diagnostics have dramatically reduced downtime, while usage data enables continuous improvement strategies based on measurable evidence.
Sustainability and efficiency
The solution amplifies the inherent advantages of evaporative cooling:
- Reduced energy consumption
- No refrigerant gases (only water)
- Lower installation and maintenance costs
- Improved air quality
- A tangible contribution to ecological transition
The value of the ODM approach
The partnership demonstrates FAE Technology’s distinctive strengths:
a systemic understanding of customer needs,
end-to-end competencies from hardware design to cloud services,
tailored solution development,
and accelerated time-to-market enabled by the Group’s integrated expertise.
Conclusions
As stated by Gianmarco Lanza, President and CEO of FAE Technology:
“This solution reflects the breadth of the Group’s vertical know-how, covering the entire operational perimeter from hardware design to software development and cloud integration. The combination of capabilities made it possible to create an integrated, advanced, and secure platform that enhances a low-impact, high-efficiency system such as evaporative cooling.”
The Aquarial project confirms FAE Technology’s role as a strategic technology partner for digitalization and sustainable innovation, delivering complete solutions that integrate hardware, software, and cloud. The collaboration serves as a replicable model for other industrial sectors.