Proportioning the Compressed Air Dryer
Trying to figure out which air dryer capacity is best for you? Here are some factors to consider. Read More…
Compressed air helps power our economy and our society. But what exactly is it and where does it come from?
When we compress—or squeeze—air into a small space, we call it compressed air. When humans discovered the ability to compress air, civilisation made a huge leap forward. The reason? Compressed air opened the door to all kinds of new production methods.
Once upon a time, we relied on steam engines to power equipment. It was incredibly inefficient and frighteningly polluting. And fortunately, we have moved on.
Today, compressed air performs many of the same roles, as well as many new ones. As such, it is as important to modern production processes as electricity, water and gas. This has earned it the nickname ‘The Fourth Utility’.
We most frequently associate it with the manufacturing sector, but most industries rely on compressed air in one way or another. It’s essential for moving cargo and people in ships, trains and cars, where it’s used in brake systems, suspension and airbags. It powers a huge variety of tools and devices, from construction sites and car repair shops to the dentist’s surgery.
Unlike water and gas, which are natural resources, and electricity, which is readily available from a range of different sources, compressed air is generally generated on-site. And to do that, we need compressors.
Compressors come in all shapes and sizes, from small, portable ones used to power handheld tools to huge industrial systems that supply entire manufacturing plants or gigantic ships with compressed air.
Different compressors use different methods to compress air, producing it in different qualities and quantities. This incredibly wide range of compressors means there is always going to be a compressor that caters to your specific needs.
The main requirements we place on air compressors are reliability and energy efficiency.
Reliability is important because a broken-down compressor has the potential to bring an entire production line to a stop.
As for energy efficiency? This is vital because of the amount of energy that a compressor consumes. In fact, about 10% of all the energy consumed by the industrial sector goes to compressing air.
You’ll obviously want the right type of compressor for the job. In fact, choose an air compressor carefully and you’ll cut the amount of energy you use to compress air by as much as half.
From an environmental perspective, it’s the right thing to do. From a legal perspective, it’s becoming a requirement in more and more places. And from a financial perspective? It’s going to make a huge difference to your bottom line, especially with the costs of electricity and energy nowadays.
With an incredibly extensive range of air compressors, it’s important to take the time to find the right compressor for your needs. It’s overkill to use a state-of-the-art, high-volume compressor network to pump up the tyre on your child’s bike. Just like you wouldn’t want to rely on a bike pump to keep the wheels turning at an industrial complex. In fact, the niche uses of compressed air mean that we have more specialised air compressors today than ever before.
Wondering how your air compressor ranks in terms of reliability and efficiency for different jobs? Get in touch with us at Ash Air . We would love nothing more than to geek out discussing and searching for the perfect air compressor for you.
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products are used extensively around the world in
industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world-class compressors here in the land of
the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported with
nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts
available today in New Zealand.
With Ash Air, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Talk to the team today:
Proportioning the Compressed Air Dryer
Trying to figure out which air dryer capacity is best for you? Here are some factors to consider.
Read More…
Maintenance budget: 8 factors to consider
Just like any other equipment, a compressed air installation also requires the necessary maintenance work during its entire
lifespan. Even though maintenance costs are only about 5 to 10% of a machine's annual operating costs, failure to budget for
maintenance can have potentially disastrous consequences.
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The air dyer is one of the most ignored cooler in the system. A dirty condenser will cause water in the lines, or worse it will cause
complete dryer failure.
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Why Replace CO2 with Nitrogen in your Brewery
Using nitrogen is not about fully replacing CO2, but it can reduce their consumption of CO2 by close to 70%. Using nitrogen is about
sustainability. Creating your own nitrogen is easy and will reduce the use of a greenhouse gas, which is better for the environment. It will
also save you money as early as month one adding that savings to your bottom line.
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What do I need to know about ICONS?
ICONS: Intelligent Connectivity System: The insight into your compressed air system, wherever you are. Learn More about ICONS in this article here!
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A question that is occasionally asked by our customers to Ash Air is 'what is the cost of compressed air?' This article looks at the
product costs involved with compressed air, as well as minimising the energy cost of compressors and cost allocation. When looking at these
factors, we need to realise what causes dropped efficiency of your compressor, leading to increased costs of compressed air.
Read More…
How to avoid falling objects when working at heights
You may have great fall protection measures in place to keep employees safe when working at height, but what about their co-workers below?
Dropped tools and other falling objects are a major hazard – and one that isn’t always fully addressed.
Read More…
Providing a safe working environment for operators is essential, especially when using pneumatic tools and compressed air. If there is a
failure in the air network and the hose is not adequately clamped, the resulting whiplash could be devastating. Failure to follow best
practice can result in injuries, associated production downtime and decreased productivity.
Read More…
Why do I need a dryer for my compressor?
A common questions asked is why do I need an air dryer for my compressor? Typically, air compressors produce water, and although the
water can be drained, there can still be aerosol and vapour droplets that are present. This is because water cannoet be compressed. Water
can damage your compressor by corroding the valves, pipes and machinery controls, which will cost you time and money to resolve. In
the long run, the cost of a new compressor is a small price to pay compared to the loss of production that could potentially arise due
to water damage in your compressor.
What are some preventable causes of air compressor failure?
Air compressors can fail for an assortment of different reasons: Normal wear and tear, lifespan and age of the unit, poor maintenance, power surge, install issues are just a few the come to mind. Check out this blog to find out our top 7 tips to ensure your compressor is looked
after!
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Simple Ways to Reduce Your Compressed Air Costs?
Air compressors use considerable volumes of energy during a typical work cycle. When you add up all the expenses of operating a facility,
any savings can help you boost your bottom line.
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What Should You Know When Buying a Compressor for the First Time?
If you have never bought a rotary screw air compressor before; do the following. Add up the air consumption of all the equipment at your
shop. That will be the amount of air your desired compressor should provide.
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Reliability and Efficiency
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