Compressor Maintenance

Compressed air runs tools and machines in many industries, it provides power for material handling systems and ensures clean, refreshing air in a polluted environment. As compressed air systems are crucial for industrial and commercial operations the maintenance of compressors are vital too.

Compressors should be turned off before servicing. The cleanliness of the compressor oil must be maintained; the oil should be changed in accordance to manufacturers guidelines. High quality oil should also be used in the compressor with sampling being carried out each month. The other maintenance issues are to retain the cleanliness of air inlet filters, keep the motor belts tight and to reduce the leakages in the compressor.

Rely On Your Compressor

There was a time when compressed air systems were taken for granted. The technology was less sophisticated and energy costs were low. Today however, although air compressors may appear to be low in cost in comparison to highly experienced production equipment, they can actually incur a whole host of hidden costs including electrical costs, maintenance and unplanned down time.

Air compressor design has a great bearing on efficiency and reliability, electric power is expensive and even penalizing, on time delivery is often critical.

Today, an inefficient, inadequate, unreliable or failed compressor system can mean thousands of pounds of automated equipment and waste production time as well as putting customer relationships at risk.

Air Compressors

Air compressors are extremely important when it comes to powering certain types of power tools. This is a preferrable option for many businesses who choose these tools for their efficiency and with the belief that they are better for you.

The type of compressor that you opt for will depend entirely on the tools that your business uses, different tools require different amounts of power. It also depends on how the compressor will be used and how it will be used.

Compress your Carbon Emissions

More people are trying to do their bit to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Although this is a continuous struggle, there are some things that every business can do in a move to combat global warming. Possibly the most important of these would be to make sure you select the right compressor for your needs.

Group Source is an excellent network that has a great selection of new and used compressors from different suppliers. Check that you are doing your bit for the environment.

Compressors

The most common type of compressor is probably the piston-driven type. The piston delivers air to a storage tank. The compressed air is then delivered through an air-line to a range of attached air tools. A two-stage piston is able to generate greater compression of the air and so these models are more powerful.

Tanks come in many capacities ranging from a single gallon up to 200 gallons. Smaller tanks are suitable for powering smaller air tools such as nailers, impact wrenches or staplers for short periods. To power equipment such as sprayers, grinders or sandblasters that usually require longer running periods a larger capacity tank is required.


Gas compressors increase the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. As well as powering pneumatic tools gas compressors have a variety of specialist uses including transporting gases through pipelines, moving heat around refrigerators and air conditioning unit, providing breathable air in aircraft and maintaining the buoyancy of submarines.

The screw compressor reduces gas into a smaller space. It is good for jobs where equipment has to be run for long periods without stopping.
Industrial air compressors tend to be sturdier and more powerful models.
Some compressors have a regulator to adjust the air pressure, and therefore the amount of power, being delivered to the attached tool.