Industrial Air Compressors

There are several advantages of using compressed air over other options, and one of the biggest advantages is safety, as you greatly reduce the chances of getting an electrical shock. Pneumatic tools usually weigh less to make them more ergonomic, and compressed air offers much more flexibility because you can make your compressor mobile.

You can regulate compressed air to get several pressure range uses in one unit, and it’s usually less expensive to purchase this unit over traditional tools. Air tools require less maintenance to keep them running, and they tend to run cooler because the expanded air will dissipate heat.

The type of tools you normally use in your projects will be the biggest influence on the industrial air compressor size you need. You should list the air tools you’ll want to use, how many tools you plan to use during the compressor’s duty cycle, and how often you’ll use them. The best formula to help you figure out the correct size is to add all of the potential tools’ CFM requirements and figure out the peak PSI of each one. This will give you the upper limit to the tank size. Ideally, you’ll add 10% to 20% to this limit to compensate for future add-ons or unexpected draws.

PSI is pounds per square inch, and this is a metric to help assess how many pounds of pressure you exert in a square inch. 100 PSI is 100 pounds of force in every square inch of space. Industrial compressor air gauges usually display the PSI rating. CFM is cubic feet per minute, and this is a volume measurement that will tell you your compressor’s output rate in cubic feet for every 60 seconds you have it running. They are both equally important because it’s critical that you have enough CFM — as this is your air volume to power any air tools you want to use — and enough pressure or PSI to give the air from the compressor power.

While there are several uses for air compressors in Australia, there are a few industries and applications that use them on a more frequent basis. Industrial air compressors power tools in the construction industry, run rotary screw equipment in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries, and power sprayers, tractors and pumps in the agricultural sector.

Generally speaking, you should schedule an appointment for full preventative maintenance for your compressors every 12 months or after 4,000 hours of use. You also want to schedule an appointment for basic preventative maintenance every 1,000 to 2,000 operating hours. At these appointments, the technician will check for leaks, tighten any connectors, change compressor oil filters and compressor air filters, and check lubrication levels, drain valves, and belts.

Yes, air dryers are critical components for your air compressors. An air dryer will keep your compressor moisture-free, and this can help prevent rust and condensation issues from popping up. Air compressors tend to produce a lot of water when they run, and while it is possible to drain it, doing so doesn’t completely remove all of the moisture from the system. This is where your air dryer comes in handy.