Air compressor manufacturers: what you need to know

Written By Steven Bryan

For industrial applications and powering hand tools, an air compressor can be extremely handy to have around. If you think this type of equipment could benefit your business, make sure and do a little research before talking to compressor manufacturers.

Ways to use an air compressor
With just a little imagination and a lot of gas, compressor manufacturers can provide the necessary compressed air for:

• Power-washing a building
• Pneumatic tools such as nail guns
• Inflating tires
• Medical life support systems
• Painting a house or factory

Types of air compressors
Though each unit delivers pressurized gas, compressor manufacturers make products that compress the air in different ways:

• Reciprocating air: This type of compressor uses a piston to force the incoming air into the storage tank, increasing the pressure in the process. The piston's up-and-down motion helps maintain a steady airflow.
• Rotary-screw: As the name indicates, rotating screws push the incoming air into the storage tank. Some rotary-screw compressors use oil to cool the air, which means there may be traces of oil in your air stream.
• Centrifugal: With the aid of a spinning rotor or impeller, this compressor uses centrifugal force to increase the air pressure. Centrifugal compressors typically are water-cooled and are usually only appropriate in massive industrial applications.

Air compressor terminology

When dealing with compressor manufacturers, it may feel as if you need to have a mechanical engineering degree. Some of the terms that might come up in conversation include:

• Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM): This indicates how much air the compressor can deliver.
• Pounds per Square Inch (PSI): The higher the PSI, the stronger the air flow.
• Horsepower (HP): The majority of compressors are powered by electric, gasoline or diesel motors. You can find compressors with an output as low as 2 HP or higher than 100 HP.

Sampling of compressor manufacturers

You can find compressor manufacturers that specialize in reciprocating air and other compressors all over the world:

• Atlas Copco: Produces a wide range of compressors, from small hobbyist models to massive industrial machines.
• Boge: Focused on rotary compressors for continuous operation.
• Caterpillar: Best known for construction vehicles, Cat also manufactures compressors in many varieties for job site usage.
• Kaeser: This giant offers rotary-screw air compressors, reciprocating compressors, and piping and cleaning systems to get the most out of your system.

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