Blog

If your processes require ultraclean compressed air, you may think that you need an oil-free air compressor. But in most cases, clean air requirements can be met without the expense and maintenance hassle of an oil-free compressor. Before you spend the money, take a look at the pros and cons of oiled vs. oil-free compressors and see which one is right for you. What is an Oil-Free Air Compressor? Rotary screw air compressors come in two basic varieties: oil-injected (or oil-flooded) and oil-free. As the name implies, an oil-free air compressor does not use oil for lubrication in the compression chamber.... Read more »

Read More

Lubricated air compressors require regular oil changes and maintenance to ensure proper operation. Operators need to understand what kind of oil to use in the air compressor, how often to change the air compressor oil and oil filters, and how to recognize common problems with air compressor oil. This guide will answer your questions about air compressor oil. About Oil-Lubricated Air Compressors Most air compressors used in industrial compressed air systems are lubricated (also known as oil-flooded air compressors). This simply means that oil is used to lubricate moving parts in the air-end (the part of the compressor where the... Read more »

Read More

Air receiver tank safety should be a priority for every compressed air user. Poor maintenance, improper storage, or operation at unsafe pressures can lead to a dangerous air receiver tank failure. This article explores the common causes of air receiver tank failure, safe maintenance and storage for air receiver tanks, and the importance of using ASME-rated compressed air equipment. Your compressed air receiver tank is a type of pressure vessel. It stores air under immense internal pressure over a long period of time. If the tank is not maintained properly, corrosion, stress, and fatigue can lead to a dangerous tank... Read more »

Read More

You may still have frost outside, but spring is just around the corner. When you’re planning your spring cleaning, don’t forget your compressed air system. Spring is the perfect time to assess your industrial air compression system and perform critical maintenance to make sure it is ready for the hot summer months ahead. A thorough spring cleaning of your industrial air compressor and other compressed air system components can prevent expensive repairs and eliminate costly downtime. Of course, you should be conducting most routine maintenance checks daily or weekly throughout the year, following the preventative maintenance guidelines in the user... Read more »

Read More

Wondering how to choose the right air compressor for your facility? In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics, including how air compressors work, the types of air compressors, and air compressor specifications and features to look for. How to Choose the Right Air Compressor  Choosing the right air compressor for industrial and commercial applications can be complicated. The right choice depends on several factors:  How much air (CFM) is required by your applications? What air pressure is needed?   Are your air requirements continuous or sporadic?  Where will the air compressor be used?  Applications for Industrial Air Compressors  An air... Read more »

Read More

What size piping do you need for your compressed air system? Understanding how to properly size pipes for compressed air can improve the overall efficiency of your system. Correctly sized compressed air piping will help you save money and ensure that you always have the PSI you need to run machines and tools at the ends of your lines. Here’s how to determine the right diameter compressed air pipes for your system. How Pipe Size Impacts Compressed Air System Performance  Sizing air compressor piping comes down to two factors: how much air are you trying to move? And how far... Read more »

Read More

Do you need an inline filter for your air compressor? Chances are, the answer is yes! Inline filtration is the key to clean, reliable compressed air. Here’s everything you need to know about selecting, installing, and maintaining inline air filters for your air compressor. What Is an Inline Air Compressor Filter and Why Do You Need One? The inline air compressor filter removes oil and particulates from your compressed air supply. Compressed air contains contaminants when it leaves the compressor including oils, particulates, and even microorganisms. The inline compressor filter captures these contaminants before the compressed air meets your production... Read more »

Read More

  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 »

Read More

Do you need an oil-water separator for your compressed air system? The answer is probably yes. An external oil-water separator is essential for proper maintenance of your compressed air system and compliance with environmental regulations for disposal of compressed air condensate.   What Is an Oil/Water Separator?  An oil-water separator (sometimes called a condensate separator) is exactly what it sounds like: a device that separates oils and lubricants from liquid water. The oil-water separator collects condensate from your air compressor, tank, filters, and dryer, and removes the oil from the water prior to putting it down the drain. It also eliminates... Read more »

Read More

What kind of compressed air dryer do you need? It may seem difficult to choose between desiccant vs. refrigerated air dryers for your compressed air system. But once you understand the differences between these types of air dryers and what they can do, the choice is likely to be clear. What Is the Purpose of a Compressed Air Dryer? First, why do you need a compressed air dryer at all? Almost all compressed air applications will require some type of air-drying system. A compressed air dryer ensures a consistent supply of dry air for your application.  A compressed air dryer... Read more »

Read More

Should you buy a reciprocating air compressor or a rotary screw air compressor? If you’re shopping for a new air compressor, you may be wondering about the differences between rotary and reciprocating compressors. But while both types of compressors create compressed air, there are important differences in how they work and the applications they are best suited for. Here is how to choose between a reciprocating and rotary compressor for your operation. What Is the Difference Between a Reciprocating Air Compressor and a Rotary Screw Air Compressor? Both reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors produce compressed air using “positive displacement”—that... Read more »

Read More

Is the PSI of your compressed air system too high? As many as 80% of manufacturers are running their systems at a higher PSI than necessary for their production processes. Reducing the PSI of your plant may be your largest—and easiest—an opportunity for energy savings. Best of all? Many of the things you can do to reduce your plant pressure are very inexpensive — or even free!

Read More

You may love the warmer temperatures in the spring and summer—but your industrial air compressor does not. Your compressed air system requires extra maintenance in the hot summer months to prevent unexpected shutdowns and damage to system components. Here’s how increased temperatures in the summer months impact your compressed air system—and what you can do to prevent costly damage. Risk 1: Overheating Your air compressor already puts out a lot of heat on its own: a 100 HP industrial air compressor produces enough thermal energy to heat four homes through the winter! This is a natural consequence of air compression;... Read more »

Read More

Are you seeing excessive pressure drop in your compressed air system? The problem may be the layout of your compressed air pipes. The design of your compressed air distribution system can have a substantial impact on overall efficiency. An efficiently designed piping system will save energy and money and reduce wear and tear on your air compressor. About Compressed Air Piping Systems Your compressed air distribution system consists of a series of pipes that convey compressed air from the compressor to the point of use. Most compressed air piping systems have multiple drops along their length to support different tools,... Read more »

Read More

Changing the oil on your rotary screw air compressor is important for the life of the machine and can avoid large repair costs. On top of checking it regularly to ensure it’s topped off, you should change it at regular intervals. The length of this interval depends on the type of oil being used in your machine. Rotary Screw Air Compressor or Rotary Vane Air Compressor** Standard Oil every 8000 hrs or 12 months Food Grade Oil every 2000 hrs or 3 months If You Don’t Change Your Oil as Above a Few Things Can Happen to Your Compressor: Buildup... Read more »

Read More

Filters are an important part of your compressed air system. Installing the right type of filters and maintaining them regularly will ensure a consistent supply of clean air to your operations and reduce pressure drop. Filters start at the intake of the compressor and finish at the point of use. Dirty compressor intake filters will reduce compressor efficiency and allow dirt particles to enter the compressor, loading up the separator and oil filters, contaminating oil, and possibly reducing the life of the air compressor. Filters downstream of lubricated air compressors will collect contamination in the piping such as rust and... Read more »

Read More

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 with plant demand. 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. To troubleshoot your plant pressure issues, we recommend beginning with the source of your compressed air. Is the compressor delivering its rated Actual Cubic Feet per Minute (ACFM)? ACFM is the air delivery rating... Read more »

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More