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…
What Type of Compressor Do I Need?
Once you have the size of the air compressor figured out, the next thing to do is to decide on the type of compresor you will need for your application - piston, rotary screw compressor etc. Let us take a look at two of the most popular options available.
When choosing the right type of compressor, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the application
- How much flow does my facility/workshop use
- What pressure is needed within the facility
- Do I need clean/dry air (use of dryer and filters)
- How many hours per year does my compressor operate
- How many shifts do I run per day
- Is there fluctuation in flow demand between shifts (if so, a VSD compressor could be a good option and offer great savings)
- Are there any plans for future expansion
The piston compressor
The most economical and least expensive air compressor available is the piston compressor? This is a very simple and robust air compressor
that is used in many small shops. You can often times find the piston compressor in small work and machine shops, body shops,
tire shops and small manufacturing facilities. Piston compressors are relatively easy to maintain and as previously mentioned
require minimum investment. Considering that piston compressors are economical, there are some drawbacks that should be taken
into account before making a decision.
Piston compressors are only meant for intermittent use, meaning that the compressor can only work at about 50-60% of its duty cycle. This means it will run 30 to 35 minutes, every hour during its duty cycle. These units require proper cooling time between cycles, otherwise they will overheat and or fail.
It is also important to understand that piston compressors put out a lot of oil downstream and if not treated properly they can
damage the machines that utilize the compressed air. Lastly, piston compressors tend to be very loud when in operation, which can
be hard on the employees working in close proximity to the compressor.
The rotary screw compressor
If your operation requires constant compressed air supply, you should consider a rotary screw air compressor. Unlike the piston compressor, rotary screw air compressors are used for any operations that require up to a 100% continuous duty cycle and are built for long lifetime of reliable operation. Rotary screw air compressors are a great alternative fot the piston units and there are various available, depending on your needs and budget. One of those options is the ability to integrate a dryer into the package, which is ideal for the applications that require clean and dry air.
Furthermore, smaller screw compressors can be tank mounted allowing for additional storage capacity which, coupled with an integrated dryer, allows
for plug and play installation. This makes it ideal if you have limited space at your facility and if you want to save on installation
costs. Depending on your budget, there is a screw compressor for everyone, ranging from basic design, usually available on
smaller kW/HP ranges, all the way to Variable Speed (Frequency) Drive (VSD) units. Those are more expensive but typically make
up for the initial cost with energy savings.
Variable Speed Drive compressors are a great option for any facilities that have fluctuation in their flow demand. This is especially true if your facility operates multiple shifts during the day and where flow demand increases and decreases throughout the day. Considering that compressed air usage can be costly, as it accounts for over 70% of Total Cost of Ownership in electricity costs, utilizing VSD technology can help you achieve savings of 35-50%.
Depending on size of the compressor, the savings can range from $100s to $10,000s annually or more. VSD air compressors match the output to the demand that is needed. In simpler terms, the compressor can sense how much flow is being used and adjusts its speed accordingly, to only allow the output that is needed. On slower production days, during second or third (skeleton shifts?) the VSD technology comes especially handy, as it eliminates the waste of electricity and therefore saving money. VSD air compressors are becoming the norm rather than the exception, with many customers enjoying the annual energy savings and having the ability to reinvest the money into other assets.
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 Quincy compressors 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 by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
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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. Read More…
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. Read More…
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. Read More…
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! Read More…
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.
Read More…
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! Read More…
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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. Read More…
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. Read More…
How to Know When Your Industrial Air Compressor Needs Servicing
Knowing the telltale signs of wear and tear, understanding your product’s specifications and usability guidelines, and knowing when it’s prudent to call in repairs are skills that could save you a lot of time, effort, and money in the long term. Read More…
One-stage vs Multi-stage Compressor
Find out the difference between a one-stage compressor and a multi-stage compressor. Read More…
How do I winterise my air compressor?
That cold, rainy, and in some places icey New Zealand winter is upon us, and with the following air compressor tips, your air system will be prepared with the preferred temperatures, despite the weather outside. Regardless of whether or not it actually snows or freezes up where you live, most winterisation service recommendations are also basic, solid maintenance procedures that will help extend the life and operational efficiencies of air compressors regardless of whether you live in Queenstown or Northland. Read More…
