As a general rule it is safe to say that air compressors are not “disposable” machines. They are usually built to work for a decent period of time and almost all air compressors have a decent resale value. Therefore air compressors are not usually offered on a discount basis, or if they are the buyer should be wary and investigate the machine and its specifics closely before handing over any money. While air compressors are mass produced, they are not simple machines and they generally have to undergo some rigorous safety testing and a comprehensive approval process before they are allowed to be sold on the open market. After all, air compressors – by definition – dangerous machines.
Contrary to some of the sales rhetoric one may find online or elsewhere, there really is no such thing as “surplus” air compressors. Like cars or riding lawn mowers, even when the company goes out of business or over orders its own stock, they are not sold as “overstock” on a retail basis. Instead they are sold in bulk to other retailers. So forget about the idea of surplus air compressors or “everything must go” types of sales. The one exception to this may be extremely inexpensive little household compressors – the little $19.99 models – and even then it is doubtful they would be sold much below $19.99, though of course the seller may claim they are worth $39.99. For serious air compressors, this is just a nonstarter.
There are, however, at least some air compressors on the open that might be described as being offered on discount. Most commonly, these are refurbished air compressors. That is, they are older air compressors that eventually wore out and were traded in or scrapped. The refurbishing company then comprehensively rebuilds them, replacing all the damaged bits and then offering them for resale: at a discount. A refurbished air compressor may be as good as new or may be a disaster ready happen, depending almost exclusively on the skill of the person or organization that refurbished. Typically refurbished air compressors done by professional refurbishing companies are fairly safe, as their business depends on it and they are directly liable should the refurbished machine fail catastrophically. Air compressors refurbished by small informal outfits or individuals should be viewed more skeptically.
Another place to find air compressors for sale at a discount are simply the classifieds: that is, buying a used air compressor from someone selling one. This is quite common, but it works the same as buying a used car; you never really know exactly what you are getting. Some formal retailers accept trade ins – again like cars – and then sell the old compressors at a discount. These are usually decent deals since once again the company can be held liable, so it has a vested interest in ensuring that it is selling at least a safe product. Buying a used air compressor through the newspaper or elsewhere is completely hit and miss; you may get an astounding deal or you may get taken.
Once upon a time, inexpensive mass produced Chinese clones of name brand air compressors were offered at discount prices, but this is not so true today. While Chinese clones are still available and they are usually at least somewhat cheaper than the name brand version, in the end you save very little. This is primarily because most of these clones do not undergo the national safety testing, so in general they cannot be stockpiled in the Western countries where they are sold. Instead, they have to be shipped directly from China and since air compressors are heavy machinery; the shipping costs usually equal or exceed the savings achieved by buying the clone in the first place.
Click here to see more Air Compressors For Sale!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Air Compressors Sale: How Seriously Should You Take This?
With the possible exception of some of the very small and inexpensive models found for sell at box stores or on television ($19.99!), most air compressors are serious machines meant for long term use. That is, for the most part there is no such thing as a “disposable” air compressor. Further, since compressed air is obviously fairly dangerous, all air compressors have to undergo rigorous testing and meet various safety standards, meaning that they are not something that can just be mass produced and thrown on the market. Air compressors are mass produced, but they still have to meet a series of standards and pass a number of inspections, meaning that there is no such thing as a brand new “junk” air compressor.
Like other large appliances and serious machines, there really is no such thing as a “surplus” air compressor (not counting the small, cheap models that can do little more than run an airbrush or fill up your bicycle tire). Indeed, even if a retailer is going out of business, air compressors are treated like other heavy machines and either returned to the wholesaler for a refund or sold as a group to another retailer at something much closer to wholesale prices. This means you will never really see air compressors on “sale” per se. Some retailers may mark down the price of an air compressor a little bit to promote sales on occasion, but these will not be major price differences. Like other big machine sales, most retailers only make a small profit on them in the United States (though this may differ in other countries).
When it comes to any sort of serious air compressor, from a two gallon, one horsepower compressor and larger, finding them on sale is not a common thing. Further, even when you do find an air compressor on sale, it is not likely to be a brand new one. Instead, these “sale” air compressors are frequently refurbished used compressors. Technically after they have been refurbished they should be like new, but you can always test this by seeing what kind of warranty is offered with the air compressor. If the seller is selling it strictly “as is” and with no warranty, it means they do not have much confidence that the refurbishment was very good. Of course some manufacturers handle their own refurbishments and do offer a limited warranty, so if they have enough faith in the refurbishment to offer a warranty; it can probably be safely assumed that they did a good job.
You may also see air compressors offered online as being “for sale” with the implication that the price has been reduced, though as noted above, this is never really the case. In that an air compressor is a durable product, it can be sold back to the manufacturer or to other retailers at a better price than it could be sold to the public “on sale”. Therefore you should always be skeptical if you see an air compressor being offered as being “on sale”. Chances are, once you get the specifics of the machine in question, you will probably be able to shop around and see that the “sale price” is in fact the basic value of the compressor or higher.
Click here to see more Air Compressors For Sale!
Like other large appliances and serious machines, there really is no such thing as a “surplus” air compressor (not counting the small, cheap models that can do little more than run an airbrush or fill up your bicycle tire). Indeed, even if a retailer is going out of business, air compressors are treated like other heavy machines and either returned to the wholesaler for a refund or sold as a group to another retailer at something much closer to wholesale prices. This means you will never really see air compressors on “sale” per se. Some retailers may mark down the price of an air compressor a little bit to promote sales on occasion, but these will not be major price differences. Like other big machine sales, most retailers only make a small profit on them in the United States (though this may differ in other countries).
When it comes to any sort of serious air compressor, from a two gallon, one horsepower compressor and larger, finding them on sale is not a common thing. Further, even when you do find an air compressor on sale, it is not likely to be a brand new one. Instead, these “sale” air compressors are frequently refurbished used compressors. Technically after they have been refurbished they should be like new, but you can always test this by seeing what kind of warranty is offered with the air compressor. If the seller is selling it strictly “as is” and with no warranty, it means they do not have much confidence that the refurbishment was very good. Of course some manufacturers handle their own refurbishments and do offer a limited warranty, so if they have enough faith in the refurbishment to offer a warranty; it can probably be safely assumed that they did a good job.
You may also see air compressors offered online as being “for sale” with the implication that the price has been reduced, though as noted above, this is never really the case. In that an air compressor is a durable product, it can be sold back to the manufacturer or to other retailers at a better price than it could be sold to the public “on sale”. Therefore you should always be skeptical if you see an air compressor being offered as being “on sale”. Chances are, once you get the specifics of the machine in question, you will probably be able to shop around and see that the “sale price” is in fact the basic value of the compressor or higher.
Click here to see more Air Compressors For Sale!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Viair Air Compressors: A Backgrounder
Viair Corporation, based in California, is a specialized air compressor manufacturer that focuses specifically on air compressors and accessories for use on motor vehicles. Although they sell compressors and accessories on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis, which are then rebranded; they also sell their own lines of compressors and accessories in their own name. Their focus is on twelve and twenty-four volt air compressors for use on both off road and on road automobile applications, especially air suspension systems.
Viair air compressors meant to be installed in motor vehicles are sold in six distinct lines: the 090 series, the 100 series, the 200 series, the 300 series, the 400 series and the 490 series. The smallest basic compressor is the Viair 90C, which is a very small twelve volt compressor meant for very light duty, generating up to 120 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure) but with a maximum cfm (cubic feet per minute of air flow) of 1.04, which means it is not powerful enough to fuel most applications. In fact the 90C is specifically designed to only fill a one gallon tank. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Viair 497C, which generates 150 psi and 2.37 cfm; which is enough to power most automobile pneumatic requirements.
There are also ten different types of portable Viair air compressors, or ones that are not meant to be permanently installed on your vehicle. The most basic of these is the simple 70P, which is designed to be plugged into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket and can inflate thirty inch tires or smaller ones. The largest version is the Viair 450P, which can inflate up to thirty-seven inch tires, generates 150 psi (which is a lot for a portable air compressor), and can be operated for forty minutes non-stop before the engine has to cool.
For people wanting air suspension and other pneumatics added to their vehicle but that do not want to piece the whole system together, Viair sells a number of kits. Most of the kits come with a Viair air compressor, an air tank of varying capacities, safety valve, compression fittings and air hoses all already assembled and ready to go. This makes the task of assembling and installing a pneumatic system on your vehicle much easier and faster since the assembly part is largely already done for you.
Along the same lines as the air supply kits described above, Viair sells eight different application specific kits which includes everything needed for the specific application in question. These application specific kits are for air lockers, air horns, and a range of suspension applications, from medium duty on road pneumatics to extreme heavy duty off road pneumatics. These assemblages have been very popular and represent a significant portion of the company’s OEM market (where the product is sold under a different brand name).
Beyond the above, Viair offers a wide range of additional parts and accessories like air accessories, air filter assemblies, air hoses, air gauges, air tanks, electrical accessories, and fittings. If you are looking for some sort of air compressor or pneumatic system for your vehicle, it is almost guaranteed that Viair will have what you are looking for.
Click here to see more Air Compressors For Sale.
Viair air compressors meant to be installed in motor vehicles are sold in six distinct lines: the 090 series, the 100 series, the 200 series, the 300 series, the 400 series and the 490 series. The smallest basic compressor is the Viair 90C, which is a very small twelve volt compressor meant for very light duty, generating up to 120 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure) but with a maximum cfm (cubic feet per minute of air flow) of 1.04, which means it is not powerful enough to fuel most applications. In fact the 90C is specifically designed to only fill a one gallon tank. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Viair 497C, which generates 150 psi and 2.37 cfm; which is enough to power most automobile pneumatic requirements.
There are also ten different types of portable Viair air compressors, or ones that are not meant to be permanently installed on your vehicle. The most basic of these is the simple 70P, which is designed to be plugged into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket and can inflate thirty inch tires or smaller ones. The largest version is the Viair 450P, which can inflate up to thirty-seven inch tires, generates 150 psi (which is a lot for a portable air compressor), and can be operated for forty minutes non-stop before the engine has to cool.
For people wanting air suspension and other pneumatics added to their vehicle but that do not want to piece the whole system together, Viair sells a number of kits. Most of the kits come with a Viair air compressor, an air tank of varying capacities, safety valve, compression fittings and air hoses all already assembled and ready to go. This makes the task of assembling and installing a pneumatic system on your vehicle much easier and faster since the assembly part is largely already done for you.
Along the same lines as the air supply kits described above, Viair sells eight different application specific kits which includes everything needed for the specific application in question. These application specific kits are for air lockers, air horns, and a range of suspension applications, from medium duty on road pneumatics to extreme heavy duty off road pneumatics. These assemblages have been very popular and represent a significant portion of the company’s OEM market (where the product is sold under a different brand name).
Beyond the above, Viair offers a wide range of additional parts and accessories like air accessories, air filter assemblies, air hoses, air gauges, air tanks, electrical accessories, and fittings. If you are looking for some sort of air compressor or pneumatic system for your vehicle, it is almost guaranteed that Viair will have what you are looking for.
Click here to see more Air Compressors For Sale.
Friday, July 9, 2010
What do People Mean by “Home Air Compressor”?
For many people, the idea of a home air compressor is a new one and one that leads to a number of questions. After all, aren’t air compressors those huge and loud machines in the mechanic’s garage or at a gas station meant to fill your car tires? Well, yes, those are of course air compressors, but not home ones. So what do people mean when they mention a “home air compressor”?
Generally speaking – and fairly obviously – a home air compressor typically refers to smaller, less powerful, less durable air compressors meant for non-constant household usage. The use of these small household compressors is relatively new, only developing over the last decade into a significant market, though today almost all of the major manufacturers have hopped into this new market and offer some sort of home air compressor.
Perhaps the biggest driver for this new market has been the rise of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home improvement movement. Today many people consider doing their own home maintenance or home improvement projects a hobby in its own right, leading to an explosion of DIY stores and home improvement centers as well as an increased demand for user friendly tools and materials. When looking for user friendly tools, pneumatic (air driven) tools have been very popular, especially as nail guns and paint sprayers; though many others pneumatic tools are also popular.
For most DIY purposes, the air compressor needs to be electric, it needs to be portable, it needs at least a small tank, and it needs to generate at least 90 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure). This has led to a huge number of small, home air compressors that are specifically designed to meet these DIY specifications. In fact, there are so many of these compressors on the market today that the price has fallen dramatically, which may lead to an even larger market as more and more people can afford a decent home air compressor.
A home air compressor can also be used for many other purposes beyond running pneumatic tools like nail guns or paint sprayers. Obviously they can very helpful for topping up (or even filling from flat) various vehicle tires (car, bicycle, etc.) and other inflatable items around the home (mattresses, children’s toys, etc.). There are also a number of more creative uses as well. For example, compressed air can be an excellent way to clean hard to reach spots around the house, can serve a number of maintenance needs, and even can be used to help clear drains.
As the price of home air compressors continues to come down, producers and reseller will continue to come up with new and more creative applications for them around the house. The fact remains, pneumatic energy is fairly clean and efficient (which is why it is preferred in large-scale industry) and can be applied in many ways around the home. As a consequence, it can be safely assumed that more and more proposals on ways to use them around the home will continue to be made on a regular basis. It is entirely possible that within a few years, having a household air compressor will be commonplace.
Click here to see Air Compressors For Sale!
Generally speaking – and fairly obviously – a home air compressor typically refers to smaller, less powerful, less durable air compressors meant for non-constant household usage. The use of these small household compressors is relatively new, only developing over the last decade into a significant market, though today almost all of the major manufacturers have hopped into this new market and offer some sort of home air compressor.
Perhaps the biggest driver for this new market has been the rise of the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home improvement movement. Today many people consider doing their own home maintenance or home improvement projects a hobby in its own right, leading to an explosion of DIY stores and home improvement centers as well as an increased demand for user friendly tools and materials. When looking for user friendly tools, pneumatic (air driven) tools have been very popular, especially as nail guns and paint sprayers; though many others pneumatic tools are also popular.
For most DIY purposes, the air compressor needs to be electric, it needs to be portable, it needs at least a small tank, and it needs to generate at least 90 psi (pounds per square inch of pressure). This has led to a huge number of small, home air compressors that are specifically designed to meet these DIY specifications. In fact, there are so many of these compressors on the market today that the price has fallen dramatically, which may lead to an even larger market as more and more people can afford a decent home air compressor.
A home air compressor can also be used for many other purposes beyond running pneumatic tools like nail guns or paint sprayers. Obviously they can very helpful for topping up (or even filling from flat) various vehicle tires (car, bicycle, etc.) and other inflatable items around the home (mattresses, children’s toys, etc.). There are also a number of more creative uses as well. For example, compressed air can be an excellent way to clean hard to reach spots around the house, can serve a number of maintenance needs, and even can be used to help clear drains.
As the price of home air compressors continues to come down, producers and reseller will continue to come up with new and more creative applications for them around the house. The fact remains, pneumatic energy is fairly clean and efficient (which is why it is preferred in large-scale industry) and can be applied in many ways around the home. As a consequence, it can be safely assumed that more and more proposals on ways to use them around the home will continue to be made on a regular basis. It is entirely possible that within a few years, having a household air compressor will be commonplace.
Click here to see Air Compressors For Sale!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Special Standards to Consider When Buying a Medical Air Compressor
As heavy – and potentially dangerous – machinery, almost all air compressors are regulated to one extent or another. The primary concern being safety, ensuring that the compressor is able to function without endangering the people around it. However, there are special regulations for particular kinds of air compressors, and few face such exacting standards as the medical air compressor. Since the medical air compressor is used for a number of very sensitive purposes that directly relate to the health and well being of people, the standards set are very high. As such, it is important to know and understand these standards before investing in a medical air compressor.
In the United States, the standards that a medical air compressor must meet are set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Specifically, NFPA 99 “Standard for Health Care Facilities” is the paramount guideline that must be met. In other countries the standards may differ, but it is fairly safe to assume that they are fairly high, so should be taken into consideration before purchasing a medical air compressor. For the United States, NFPA 99 covers the entire compressed air system to be used in medical facilities, not merely the compressor but the entire system from the initial intake to the final expulsion of air.
To begin with, NFPA 99 mandates that all air compression systems used in medical facilities must use at least two separate compressors in tandem. The primary reason for this is to ensure the steady flow of air in the event that one of the compressors was to malfunction. However, this standard also helps ensure that enough air is available should the demand increase beyond the ability of a single compressor. Further, since most of the time only one compressor is used at a time, it puts less strain on the compressors and extends their life.
NFPA 99 also mandates that each individual unit should be strong enough to provide enough air for the regular operation of the medical facility during peak times. That is, each of the individual air compressors should be strong enough to meet all of the normal needs of the facility during its busiest times. This standard ensures that both individual compressors are strong enough to provide what is needed with or without the support of the other unit.
Although the use of oil is a popular expedient in many non-medical air compressors, the use of oil in any part of the medical air compressor is strictly forbidden by NFPA 99. Specifically, NFPA 99 Sec. 4-3.1.9.1 (a) explicitly states that oil can not be used in any part of the compressor, though part (b) of the same paragraph makes an exception to this rule as long as there is an area of open atmosphere between the oil containing part and the compressed air part. To date there is absolutely no oil/air separator technology that can safely remove one hundred percent of the oil from an oil/air mixture, which makes air compressors that use an oil/air mix inappropriate for medical uses.
According to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), medical grade air is a manufactured drug, and as such its uses are strictly regulated as well. The list of ways that medical air can be used includes such common applications as anesthesia machines and ventilators as well as to operate pneumatic tools, such as pneumatic surgical devices. However, general operations of a non-medical nature – like operating pneumatic doors or maintenance applications – are strictly forbidden. According to NFPA 99, the use of medical air for non-medical purposes can result in and “increase service interruptions, reduced service life, and introduce additional opportunities for contamination”.
Click here to see more about air compressors.
In the United States, the standards that a medical air compressor must meet are set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Specifically, NFPA 99 “Standard for Health Care Facilities” is the paramount guideline that must be met. In other countries the standards may differ, but it is fairly safe to assume that they are fairly high, so should be taken into consideration before purchasing a medical air compressor. For the United States, NFPA 99 covers the entire compressed air system to be used in medical facilities, not merely the compressor but the entire system from the initial intake to the final expulsion of air.
To begin with, NFPA 99 mandates that all air compression systems used in medical facilities must use at least two separate compressors in tandem. The primary reason for this is to ensure the steady flow of air in the event that one of the compressors was to malfunction. However, this standard also helps ensure that enough air is available should the demand increase beyond the ability of a single compressor. Further, since most of the time only one compressor is used at a time, it puts less strain on the compressors and extends their life.
NFPA 99 also mandates that each individual unit should be strong enough to provide enough air for the regular operation of the medical facility during peak times. That is, each of the individual air compressors should be strong enough to meet all of the normal needs of the facility during its busiest times. This standard ensures that both individual compressors are strong enough to provide what is needed with or without the support of the other unit.
Although the use of oil is a popular expedient in many non-medical air compressors, the use of oil in any part of the medical air compressor is strictly forbidden by NFPA 99. Specifically, NFPA 99 Sec. 4-3.1.9.1 (a) explicitly states that oil can not be used in any part of the compressor, though part (b) of the same paragraph makes an exception to this rule as long as there is an area of open atmosphere between the oil containing part and the compressed air part. To date there is absolutely no oil/air separator technology that can safely remove one hundred percent of the oil from an oil/air mixture, which makes air compressors that use an oil/air mix inappropriate for medical uses.
According to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), medical grade air is a manufactured drug, and as such its uses are strictly regulated as well. The list of ways that medical air can be used includes such common applications as anesthesia machines and ventilators as well as to operate pneumatic tools, such as pneumatic surgical devices. However, general operations of a non-medical nature – like operating pneumatic doors or maintenance applications – are strictly forbidden. According to NFPA 99, the use of medical air for non-medical purposes can result in and “increase service interruptions, reduced service life, and introduce additional opportunities for contamination”.
Click here to see more about air compressors.
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Bit About Ingersoll Rand Air Compressors
Ingersoll Rand is one of the oldest major industrial supply companies in the United States, being originally founded as a rock drill company in 1871, and today ranks as a global leader in the production of a wide range of industrial products. Though most of its operations remain centered in the United States and North America, the company recently reincorporated itself in the Republic of Ireland, in order to avoid some U.S. tax concerns and to gain easier entry into the European Union market.
Ingersoll Rand has four primary divisions: climate solutions, industrial technologies, residential solutions, and security technologies. Their air compressors are produced by the industrial technologies division and primarily branded using the Ingersoll Rand name and trademark. In the United States, virtually all Ingersoll Rand air compressors use the Ingersoll Rand name; however rotary screw compressors offered in Europe may be branded as GHH Rand, which is also a valid division of the same company and not merely some poseur trying to associate their product with the name “Rand”.
The company offered its first pneumatic device prior to 1875 and has remained on top of current air compressor technology ever since. Like some of the other major mass producers of air compressors, Ingersoll Rand offers a wide range of products including various kinds of the compressors. The main product lines include small reciprocating compressors (both portable and stationary); contact cooled rotary compressors; oil-free rotary screw compressors; oil-free centrifugal compressors and others. Like many of the major producers, Ingersoll Rand has vigorously jumped into the small compressor market as well. On top of the basic compressors, they offer a huge range of accessories, spare parts, and other related equipment. Further, Ingersoll Rand is one of the companies that also sales used and refurbished air compressors, so it is possible to get discounted equipment directly from Ingersoll Rand outlets.
Ingersoll Rand also offers top quality customer support and technical assistance, primarily through its “PackageCare” program. PackageCare is a fixed-priced full service maintenance and support contract that can be obtained for various periods of time. Their customer service technicians also provide air system audits, which involve a comprehensive review of your entire pneumatic set up – from compressor to end-use tool – and analyzes performance, identifies problems and efficiency losses, and recommends fixes and improvements as needed. Ingersoll Rand has also taken an aggressive position in support of preventative maintenance and offer a number of programs that their customers can use to prevent major catastrophic damage from occurring to their systems well in advance.
In general, Ingersoll Rand’s multiple customer care and customer service options are seen as providing excellent value and being well worth the additional expense. This is particularly true when it comes to complex air compressors and related pneumatic technology and systems. The general efficiency and state of the art technology of Ingersoll Rand air compressors is also generally accepted. Perhaps a good illustration of this fact was the company winning the 2010 World Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement in the rotary, oil-free compressor market.
Ingersoll Rand is one of the world’s leaders in both production and advancement of air compressors and pneumatic technology. As such, buying an Ingersoll Rand air compressor and accessories can generally be considered a safe bet.
Click here to see air compressors for sale.
Ingersoll Rand has four primary divisions: climate solutions, industrial technologies, residential solutions, and security technologies. Their air compressors are produced by the industrial technologies division and primarily branded using the Ingersoll Rand name and trademark. In the United States, virtually all Ingersoll Rand air compressors use the Ingersoll Rand name; however rotary screw compressors offered in Europe may be branded as GHH Rand, which is also a valid division of the same company and not merely some poseur trying to associate their product with the name “Rand”.
The company offered its first pneumatic device prior to 1875 and has remained on top of current air compressor technology ever since. Like some of the other major mass producers of air compressors, Ingersoll Rand offers a wide range of products including various kinds of the compressors. The main product lines include small reciprocating compressors (both portable and stationary); contact cooled rotary compressors; oil-free rotary screw compressors; oil-free centrifugal compressors and others. Like many of the major producers, Ingersoll Rand has vigorously jumped into the small compressor market as well. On top of the basic compressors, they offer a huge range of accessories, spare parts, and other related equipment. Further, Ingersoll Rand is one of the companies that also sales used and refurbished air compressors, so it is possible to get discounted equipment directly from Ingersoll Rand outlets.
Ingersoll Rand also offers top quality customer support and technical assistance, primarily through its “PackageCare” program. PackageCare is a fixed-priced full service maintenance and support contract that can be obtained for various periods of time. Their customer service technicians also provide air system audits, which involve a comprehensive review of your entire pneumatic set up – from compressor to end-use tool – and analyzes performance, identifies problems and efficiency losses, and recommends fixes and improvements as needed. Ingersoll Rand has also taken an aggressive position in support of preventative maintenance and offer a number of programs that their customers can use to prevent major catastrophic damage from occurring to their systems well in advance.
In general, Ingersoll Rand’s multiple customer care and customer service options are seen as providing excellent value and being well worth the additional expense. This is particularly true when it comes to complex air compressors and related pneumatic technology and systems. The general efficiency and state of the art technology of Ingersoll Rand air compressors is also generally accepted. Perhaps a good illustration of this fact was the company winning the 2010 World Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement in the rotary, oil-free compressor market.
Ingersoll Rand is one of the world’s leaders in both production and advancement of air compressors and pneumatic technology. As such, buying an Ingersoll Rand air compressor and accessories can generally be considered a safe bet.
Click here to see air compressors for sale.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What is The Point of Using Oilless Air Compressors?
There are many different kinds of air compressors on the market today offering a wide range of various features. One of the big divisions between kinds of air compressors are those that use oil and those that do not. The concept of blending oil and air together to prevent air from escaping the pressurizing process has become very popular and it is fair to say that air compressors that use oil now hold the dominate position in the market. So why would anyone want to use an oilless, or oil-free, air compressor?
Perhaps the most important advantage offered by oilless air compressors is the cleaner air that they produce. In all of the compressors that use oil, the oil and air are blended together during the compression process. This mixture is then fed through a separator unit which separates most of the air from the oil; with the air being run to the output mechanism and the oil being recycled back through the air compressor and repeatedly reused. The problem is that to date no separator technology removes all of the oil from the air in the separator unit. That is, even the very best separator units miss at least some percentage of the oil, which is then output along with the air at the end of the cycle.
In many applications this small amount of oil in the compressed air does not matter and is not a problem, which is why the oil-based compressors are so widely accepted. However, in other applications, this is manifested unacceptable. This is particularly true when it comes the air compression for breathing purposes (like scuba tanks, oxygen tanks used by firemen, or medical oxygen) or compression used in high technology applications that are sensitive to foreign contaminants (such as air compression used in the production of conductors and circuitry). In these cases, the quality of the air being compressed is just as important as the strength of compressed air and only oilless air compressors can provide that quality.
While claims that oilless air compressors are more efficient than those using oil are debatable at best, what is certain is that oilless compressors are considerably cleaner. Air compressors that use oil tend to be much messier to operate as the oil has a habit of getting all over the compressor – inside and outside – and requires many more connections (places where things can go wrong), filters (that have to be changed), and lines (which have to be maintained). Further, oil – mixed with dust and other contaminants – has a penchant of clogging up air hoses and tubes. Generally speaking, oilless compressors have none of these problems since they use no oil.
On the downside, oilless air compressors usually require more maintenance than the units that use oil and are almost always much louder than those that use oil. The increased maintenance costs is somewhat offset because in many cases oilless units cost less at the time of the initial purchase, but this all depends on the kind of compressor in question. As for the sound, frankly the fact that oilless systems are louder is indisputable, but if volume is not a significant concern for your application, then it probably does not matter.
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Perhaps the most important advantage offered by oilless air compressors is the cleaner air that they produce. In all of the compressors that use oil, the oil and air are blended together during the compression process. This mixture is then fed through a separator unit which separates most of the air from the oil; with the air being run to the output mechanism and the oil being recycled back through the air compressor and repeatedly reused. The problem is that to date no separator technology removes all of the oil from the air in the separator unit. That is, even the very best separator units miss at least some percentage of the oil, which is then output along with the air at the end of the cycle.
In many applications this small amount of oil in the compressed air does not matter and is not a problem, which is why the oil-based compressors are so widely accepted. However, in other applications, this is manifested unacceptable. This is particularly true when it comes the air compression for breathing purposes (like scuba tanks, oxygen tanks used by firemen, or medical oxygen) or compression used in high technology applications that are sensitive to foreign contaminants (such as air compression used in the production of conductors and circuitry). In these cases, the quality of the air being compressed is just as important as the strength of compressed air and only oilless air compressors can provide that quality.
While claims that oilless air compressors are more efficient than those using oil are debatable at best, what is certain is that oilless compressors are considerably cleaner. Air compressors that use oil tend to be much messier to operate as the oil has a habit of getting all over the compressor – inside and outside – and requires many more connections (places where things can go wrong), filters (that have to be changed), and lines (which have to be maintained). Further, oil – mixed with dust and other contaminants – has a penchant of clogging up air hoses and tubes. Generally speaking, oilless compressors have none of these problems since they use no oil.
On the downside, oilless air compressors usually require more maintenance than the units that use oil and are almost always much louder than those that use oil. The increased maintenance costs is somewhat offset because in many cases oilless units cost less at the time of the initial purchase, but this all depends on the kind of compressor in question. As for the sound, frankly the fact that oilless systems are louder is indisputable, but if volume is not a significant concern for your application, then it probably does not matter.
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