Did you know that you could get leaks in your compressed air system fixed for free? Yes, free. This is not a trick! It’s a program from ComEd—and a benefit you’re entitled to as a ComEd client. Fluid-Aire Dynamics is an approved service provider under the ComEd Fix-It-Now leak repair program, a benefit provided for ComEd customers in Northern Illinois. Here’s how it works: Contact James Brevoort, Fix-It-Now Program Specialist, at 224-775-1953 or james.brevoort@fluidairedynamics.com to sign up. Our technician finds leaks in your system using an ultrasonic detector, which can detect even the smallest air leak. If the leaks can... Read more »

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Air leaks are very common in compressed air systems. The key is to know how to detect and fix them as the cost of even a tiny leak adds up to a large expense if left unattended. How common are compressed air leaks? Compressed air leaks are widespread in all applications. Not only are they common, but they are time-consuming to find and fix. In the average manufacturing operation, 20-30% of the total energy consumption is compressed air. On average, 30% of that expense is due to compressed air leakage. How costly are compressed air leaks? Here are 2 examples... Read more »

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Many times, when planning a new compressed air system, there is a debate about whether or not to buy a receiver tank. Even operators of established systems sometimes wonder… what is the function of air receiver tank? We collected several questions that we often get about this vital part for an efficient compressed air system. What is the primary role of a compressed air storage tank? Compressed air storage Steady air signal to the compressor controls Secondary heat exchanger The main purpose of air receiver tanks is to provide air capacity to meet high-demand events that last for short periods... Read more »

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How does a backup compressor help my operation? In the typical manufacturing operation, compressed air is mission-critical. If it goes down, you may as well turn off the lights and send everyone home. Besides losing production time when your compressor goes down, usually the product that was being produced at that moment is ruined too. Take a food manufacturer for example. If production suddenly stops, not only do they lose the hours of production that they are down, but whatever is currently in their production line is most likely spoiled because it may not be baked, or mixed, or put... Read more »

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Refrigerated Air Dryers As a refrigerated air dryer chills compressed air to 33–40°F, water vapor condenses into a liquid. Then it is expelled from the system via a water trap and automatic drain. The cool, dry air is reheated to room temperature, exits the dryer, and into the production lines. This helps reduce condensation in the compressed air piping system. There are two types of refrigerated dryers – cycling and non-cycling. Non-Cycling Air DryersNon-Cycling air dryers allow the refrigeration circuit to run continuously. The temperature is controlled by the use of a hot gas bypass valve and the cycling action... Read more »

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Ambient air always contains some level of moisture. When you compress air, the moisture will condense and can cause problems if it isn’t addressed. When an oily water mixture, (the byproduct of condensation) makes its way through the air lines and to points-of-use, it can cause many problems. Blasting and painting processes are affected, along with pneumatic tools, CNC machining centers, robotics, and many other applications. When a compressor draws in air, it is compressed about 8 times the normal atmospheric pressure in order to achieve 100 PSI. Moisture that is present as a vapor in the air begins to... Read more »

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Air compressors range from large-scale industrial machines to small portable units. Purchasing the right machine for your need requires knowing the basics of how an industrial air compressor works and understanding your application. Whether you want to use an air compressor to power air tools or to apply a smooth paint coating, you must know how the different technologies available will affect your application. Types of Air Compressor Systems When you plan to purchase an industrial air compressor, your first task is deciding the type of the air compressor that you have to buy. In terms of design and principle... Read more »

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  The importance of understanding relative humidity to dew point when working with compressed air systems. How many of you consider the relationship between relative humidity to dew point and the effect it can have on your compressed air systems? We spoke with several customers, and people who work in the industry, and we have discovered that many don’t understand how important it is to know both terms when talking about compressed air dryness. Knowing the relative humidity percentage and dew point temperature helps you ensure your compressed air systems are functioning properly and can help save you from costly... Read more »

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Why Do You Need One? Compressed air produced by any oil flooded compressor has contaminates. After the air is cooled by the heat exchanger and/or the dryer, the contaminants including water and oil condense and become a liquid. To properly dispose of this liquid, the oil needs to be removed from the water so that the water can be reintroduced to the municipal water system. This can be achieved through the use of air compressor oil separator. If you do not use an oil/water separator and you dispose of the liquid from your dryer by dumping it into your usual... Read more »

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Temperature plays a key role in how your air compressor will perform on a day-to-day basis. Your compressor may be outside all year long or in a warehouse where temperatures easily fluctuate. No matter the environment, knowing the ideal temperatures your air compressor can function in, is very important. When determining the optimal temperature range for your air compressor’s environment, you should look at it from two different viewpoints: Mechanical Standpoint Between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal operating temperature. This isn’t too cold or too hot, thus avoiding freezing and overheating. Air Density Standpoint Colder air is... Read more »

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How to know the right amount of compressed air your facility needs. There are many ways and methods that can be used in determining how much compressed air is needed to supply your facility, and believe it when we tell you – Getting a properly sized compressed air system is very important. Why do we say that? Under-sizing an air compressor will cause the system not to work. Both over-sizing and under-sizing your equipment can lead to large budget constraints that management never likes to deal with. Over-sizing your equipment can be costly too due to long-term maintenance and higher... Read more »

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Sometimes even the most hardworking technicians and service advisors can find it difficult to stay productive. We have come up with 8 tips using professional auto body shop information and feedback. Read and implement the following for in order to boost your productivity and make the most of your (and your team's) work day.

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This week’s discussion addresses what seems to be an unknown to most users of compressed air. Many calls come in from customers who say their compressor system no longer keeps up the demand of your auto shop. Of course, this could be due to many factors such as added production equipment, air leaks in the equipment and/or distribution piping, or the need of maintenance to the air compressor itself.

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Did you know a whopping 85 percent of manufacturers report using social media as a content marketing tactic? They are using platforms such as SlideShare, YouTube and Facebook to create inspirational and educational content that indirectly promotes their businesses.

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As manufacturers, you're constantly looking for ways to save money in order to grow our bottom line. This will allow you to grow your business. It is recommended that instead of taking a lot of resources out of one or two departments, manufacturers can grow their bottom line through several small cost cutting initiatives that add up to save large amounts of money.

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How does a backup compressor help my business? Let’s use a manufacturing business as a perfect example; compressed air is vital for operations, and if it goes down, you may as well turn off the lights and count your losses. You will soon find out that besides losing production uptime when the compressor is down, it may also spoil the current product that is in your lineup when you go down. For example, if a food manufacturer goes down, not only do they lose the hours of production that they are down, but whatever is currently in their production line... Read more »

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Your air compressor’s location in your facility is critical to how it performs. But do you know exactly what you need to consider when determining where your compressor should go? The location not only affects the compressor’s own functioning… it can affect your facility’s efficiency and your employees’ productivity, too! To help you find the perfect location for your unit, here are six key factors you need to consider before locking in its location. 1. Serviceability and Accessibility Your air compressor should always be accessible for servicing. A rule of thumb is to place your compressor somewhere that allows a... Read more »

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Proper repair and preventative maintenance on your equipment is essential to your business running smoothly — especially when it comes to equipment like your compressed air system, which is integral in keeping your operation running. So, when it comes to finding an equipment service provider, finding a quality provider can be the difference between your equipment running efficiently and dealing with unplanned downtime. How can you you determine if an equipment service provider is the right fit? There are three things you should expect from a quality service provider, no matter what equipment they service. Let’s dive into each in... Read more »

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