Determining what size of compressor to buy is a very difficult problem. This is especially true if the compressor will be for a new system that hasn’t been built yet. If you answer this question wrong, you might end up with pressure problems if the compressor does not have enough output to feed peak air […]
How many horsepower should a 100 hp compressor consume?
CAGI Sheets tell the story! When you buy a 100 hp compressor, how many horsepower do you think it should consume? Yes, this is a trick question. Compressor ratings are often confusing when it comes to checking the specifications of screw compressors. The 100 hp associated with the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI) compressor data […]
Compressed air fail: Water hammer
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A building products company chose to allow their piping contractor to design the piping system in their compressor room. Rather than coming off the top of the wet header in the compressor room, the compressors were connected to the bottom of the run. This was much simpler […]
What’s more efficient, reciprocating compressor or screw air compressors?
Often, when it comes to choosing an air compressor for a service shop, there is a choice between types and sizes of compressors. Do you choose a standard reciprocating compressor or do you go with a more modern lubricated screw? But depending on the way you use your compressed air, and how the compressor is […]
Where are pneumatic grippers used?
Pneumatic grippers are used in many pneumatic systems, as a means of grasping or holding parts; grippers may move, insert, stack or orient the parts to achieve a desired step in a manufacturing process. Grippers, which use compressed air to actuate the jaws, come in multiple styles, including parallel and angular, and may use a […]
Compressed air fail: Compressor lubricant release
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge A food products company used lubricated screw compressors to feed the process machines in their plant. The compressors contained food grade lubricant because some of the compressed air came in contact with the product. The lubricant is an important item within the compressor, acting as a lubricant, […]
Can water damage my compressed air system?
In a previous post, we discovered that air compressors will produce significant amounts of water, which is squeezed from the ambient air the compressor ingests through its intake. This water, if left in the system, can damage the air compressor and components connected to your compressed air system and possibly contaminate your product. Piping will […]
A Lego-like pneumatic solution for customized machines
By Ken Korane, Contributing Editor Food and beverage processors and packagers strive to move goods as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible without damaging the end product. Sometimes the work is done by hand, but automated systems are often preferred to speed throughput and ensure quality. Devices like pick-and-place gantries, delta robots, and SCARA pickers work […]
Compressed air fail: Relying on service technicians
By Ron Marshall for the Compressed Air Challenge An electronics component manufacturer was having trouble with their compressors. Despite having purchased a very expensive and sophisticated control system, they were experiencing problems with their automatic compressor control. The system is designed to control the four large air compressors in their compressor room by coordinating the […]
New stainless steel large flow capacity regulator and filter regulator
ControlAir Inc. announced the introduction of the new Type-380 Stainless Steel Filter Regulator and the Type-390 Stainless Steel Regulator. The Type-380 and Type-390 are able withstand the harshest environments while providing highly accurate pressure regulation and filtration. Their oversized valving allows the units to handle large flow capacity applications. The corrosion resistant 316L stainless steel […]