When using an air compressor, it might also be necessary to use compressed air dryers. These clever pieces of equipment will remove water in compressed air, which can help to protect systems and ensure they can work at their full potential. Essentially, air dryers are a type of filter system that will remove the water from the air that has been compressed, but they work in special ways to ensure the process of removing the water is safe, efficient, and will not compromise the rest of the system. There are many types of compressed air dryers available to suit different systems and applications. The two overarching categories of dryer are...

Different types of compressors are used in a wide range of industries from dentistry to manufacturing of large components. The power of the compressor will depend on the job it is performing as a small compressor will be adequate in some cases whereas supplying air to a large piece of plant will require a much higher volume and pressure of air. Car repair garages and body shops have traditionally been main users of compressors for paint spraying on vehicle body work and inflating tyres. Small mobile compressors are ideal for DIY paint spraying and for powering small pneumatic hand tools such as grinders and sanders. Factories use compressors in a...

There are many ways in which compressed air can be dangerous, for example it can enter the mouth, nose or ears causing severe and often fatal injuries, at high pressure it can penetrate the skin and particles or oil carried in an air jet can damage the eyes. There is the risk of explosion caused by a build up of residue in the system that can spontaneously ignite if not maintained correctly so it is of vital importance that safety guidelines are followed when using air compressors. The efficient safe running of a compressed air system relies on cleanliness, filtration, cooling and lubrication. The best way of achieving these four...

There are many industries that need to use compressed air for a wide range of applications and so regular maintenance of the compressor is essential to avoid breakdowns and other issues. When planning a maintenance schedule, it is important to think about daily, weekly and long-term tasks as some major work will only need doing annually. Some compressors need the oil level checking daily for example a piston compressor uses oil so therefore will need the oil topping up regularly. The cylinder that is situated underneath or alongside the compressor, called the receiver, usually has a drain valve that needs opening at least weekly to drain any water or oil...

Sometimes renting an air compressor short term can be a good solution. This might be the case if you only need air compression services for a short while, or if you are working remotely on site and you need a compressor for a fixed period of time. If you use compressed air on a regular basis, though, you will usually be able to buy a compressor to make a cost saving. You can run it yourself and won’t have to pay rental fees each month, which can save you a lot of money in the long run – if you want to be sure, you can compare your outgoings and...