Air compressors, they're an essential piece of equipment for any shop with air tools,
but how much do you really know about these heavy-duty machines?
Hi, I'm Danny and I'm from the outside sales department here at Gregg Distributors.
On today's Gear up With Gregg's, we're going to focus on how the rotary screw air compressor
from Chicago Pneumatic can make your job a lot faster and a little quieter.
Chances are, if you're running air tools in your shop,
you're probably familiar with air compressors. After all, air compressors supply the air flow
needed for all those tools and equipment to work! To start, there are two main types of compressors:
dynamic (also called centrifugal) and positive displacement.
Dynamic compressors use the mechanical action of rotating impellers to transfer
pressure to the air, while positive displacement compressors take in air
and mechanically reduce the space occupied by that air in order to increase pressure.
To go even further, there are two main types of positive displacement compressors:
rotary and reciprocating.
Let's focus on the rotary style, more specifically, the rotary screw air compressor!
The rotary screw air compressors are the workhorses of the automotive industry
and were originally introduced for heavy-duty applications that required high power output
over extended periods of time. In fact, rotary screw compressors are made with a 100 percent duty
cycle, which means they are designed to run all the time without shutting off! While most
other compressors typically have a 50 to 70 percent duty cycle at most!
Rotary screw air compressors are also some of the quietest on the market.
While the noise levels of most modern air compressors range between 40 and 92 decibels,
these Chicago Pneumatic compressors run at an average of 60 to 70 decibels.
Part of the reason they're so quiet is because of the helical screws that actually do the work of compressing the air.
Let's take a closer look at how the system works.
Air enters the compressor through the inlet,
where it is then trapped between the screws and the walls of the chamber.
At the opposite end of the compressor, the trapped air is compressed within the decreasing space.
Then, the air is forced through the output where it is filtered before external delivery.
Inside the compressor's housing, there is a cooling fluid which seals, lubricates,
and removes the heat generated by compression.
This fluid also forms a thin film between the screws that virtually eliminates all metal on metal contact and wear.
During the compressed air's output, this fluid is separated from the clean air,
then it is cooled, filtered, and returned to the injection point.
Comparatively, reciprocating air compressors work by utilizing heat exchangers,
and a crankshaft connected to a piston which will suck
in and compress the air. Instead of the rapidly expanding gases generating energy,
it uses energy from an electric motor to force the air into a storage tank.
Oil injected rotary screw compressors are more common and less expensive than oil-free models.
However, oil-free models, often referred to as a Rotary Scroll air compressor,
are required in some industries such as medical, breweries, and food processing,
where cross-contamination is a concern.
Now, having a quiet compressor might not seem necessary,
but consider the fact that occupational exposure limits for noise in a workplace generally caps out at 85 decibels.
This means that any noise level of 85 decibels or higher
requires workers to wear hearing protection in order to avoid noise induced hearing loss.
Quieter compressors will generally have some form of sound dampening and rubber components.
Rubber components are often used to keep the vibrations emitted from reaching the floor.
By implementing rubber components along with other sound dampening techniques, an air compressor can
produce less than 70 decibels of sound. That's about as loud as a one on one conversation!
By having a quieter compressor, you can mount them closer to work
spaces without requiring hearing protection for your workers.
Hold on though, before you run out and buy a compressor, there are still a few things
you need to know. First, let's cover some basic terminology. . . HP, CFM, and PSIG.
Horsepower, or HP, is the amount of work an engine can perform.
In basic terms, one unit of horsepower is the force needed to lift 550 pounds of weight,
one foot off of the ground, in one second.
Cubic feet per minute, or CFM, is the volume of air that is produced is a minute.
Think of a garden hose, where you can measure the quantity of water that passes through it in 60 seconds.
In an air compressor, CFM measures the maximum amount
of air a compressor can produce at a given pressure level.
Speaking of pressure, Pounds per Square Inch Gauge, or PSIG, is the measure of pressure
that a compressor can produce relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.
Think back to the garden hose, PSIG is the amount of pressure
the water is under when it leaves the hose.
Without a nozzle, it may trickle out, while a nozzle with a fine tip can have the same water
blasting grime out of concrete.
If the hose had a kink in the line, you would experience zero CFM,
while the PSIG behind the kink would be building, potentially rupturing the line.
All three of these variables, HP, CFM,
and PSIG, need to be taken into account when choosing the best air compressor for the job.
You also need to know the amount of air output you'll require in order to be efficient.
This can be done by adding up the air consumption rate of all the equipment in your shop.
Most people tend to buy a slightly larger compressor to account for lost air during load and unload times,
or to be ready for future additions, but going too big will cost you in energy consumption!
Another thing you need to keep in mind is your available power supply,
is it single phase or three phase?
Chicago Pneumatic compressors are available with Single-Phase or Three-Phase power.
Generally speaking, single-phase electricity is found most often in residential settings, while
three-phase electricity is found in industrial locations.
However, you'll want to consult with your electrician
to determine what kind of power and voltage is available in your building.
If you're still not sure that a rotary screw air compressor is the right fit,
just remember a few key points.
They save time by being designed to run continuously without overheating, thanks to a 100 percent duty cycle.
They have a longer life because the internal rotors are oil-sealed, leading to the parts
lasting longer and maintaining the same level of performance.
And they run quieter, which means they can be used even within confined spaces without needing hearing protection.
And, while upfront costs may be higher than a reciprocating compressor,
you get a longer working life, increased capabilities, and the dependability only
a rotary screw compressor can provide, leading to cost and energy savings!
These compressors run cleaner and more efficiently, meaning you spend much less on filters, replacement parts,
and accessories.
But if you need any of those, Gregg Distributors has got you covered.
Now, you might need some time to decompress all that information, but if you have any
further questions, feel free to give us a call or leave us a comment down below.
One of our 100 percent Canadian staff would be more than happy to help you out.
Or you can visit our website at greggdistributors.ca.
Again, I'm Danny and thanks for letting the air out with me on Gear up with Gregg's.
Have yourself a great, Canadian day!