Air compressors are used every day, by many industries around the world. They are often considered the heart of a business, in that most companies will rely on their performance and efficiency to run their operations, to get work done effectively and safely. In your day to day, you've probably seen air compressors in use - whether at a build site powering construction equipment or in a mechanics workshop inflating tyres.
You've probably even witnessed compressed air in action first hand without realising, like at an amusement park where the majority of the
rides use compressors to animate props, and propel you forward at the start of your ride. Overall, the pressure that is generated from
air compressors has a huge amount of uses in a vast variety of environments. This blog draws on our first in the series of how
compressed air is used, which can be found here.
The most popular compressor for personal use is the piston compressor, or reciprocating air compressor, which may be seen in workshops or at home. These compressors are often light weight, with strong wheels, making them easy to move around or to fit in to the boot of a car or truck. This type of air compressor can be powered by a petrol or gas engine or an electric motor and be either single staged, or a two stage model, which has a higher amount of air supply. If you are someone that has a workshop at home, you may be painting a car or air brushing, carpentry, building, adding tyres to bicycles, dusting, or fibre blowing, all powered by an air compressor.
Companies often rely on compressed air to run their operations efficiently. With the use of an air compressor, many smaller businesses will be able to provide quicker service with higher quality execution, whether it be a simply inflating a tyre or performing in a manufacturing factory or plant. Small to medium size businesses may use a reciprocating compressor to power pneumatic tools - you'll see this commonly in the construction, small engine, dental or automotive / mechanical industry, as tools powered by compressed air are more reliable than electricity powered tools which can short out or get too hot with ongoing use.
Compressed air is a necessity for industries that require a non-heating power source for safety purposes. The first air compressor was created in the early 1800's and the demand for compressed air systems has grown from focusing on better equipping the metal fabrication and mining industries, to now almost all industries - you can think of compressed air as the 4th utility after water, electric and gas. Here at Ash Air, we have a full range of air compressors to suit your industry and application needs.
In the farming/agriculture industry, air compressors provide a low cost of ownership and extended performance. Compressed air is often seen
in the agriculture industry as tools that aid in spraying crops, used to power dairy machines, control ventilation systems in
glasshouses and conveyor systems which move feed from silos.
Air compressors are widely used in the manufacturing industry for applications such as metal fabrication, automotive and other assembly
plants, plastics and refineries. You can expect to see compressed air operating machines and equipment on production lines, welding
equipment, driving screws, blowing plastic bottles, finishing metal, automated machinery, and packaging.
Oil-free compressors are especially sort after by the pharmaceutical industry. 100% pure, clean air which is dry is a top priority for this industry as it is very regulated. An air compressor system in this industry will most likely be moving product on conveyor belts, spraying coatings on products, and bottling and packaging products.
Food and beverage industries need contaminate-free and consistent compressed air to run their constant operations, which may be pelleting
and packing products, filling equipment for beverages, cooling and freezing products, and sealing packaging. Compressed air in this
industry gives the end users more control over air quality since its generated onsite.
Now that we know a bit more about how compressors are used in New Zealand industries and at home, you may have witnessed compressed air being used during a hobby, or activity, household chores, going to and from work, and other non-obvious ways. Such as:
Compressor systems can be designed to recover the heat produced from compression to be used elsewhere in a facility. This heat can be put to good use for a different application like space heating, heating process water, lubricants or other fluids used for production or can be delivered to the plant locker room to supply hot water for showers.
Some industries that are active in mining, oil rigging, tunneling, and many more use compressed air as power to mitigate the risk of fires and explosions. Certain hazardous environments see their only option for power to be in the form of compressed air. Oil and gas platforms, mines and tunneling equipment are examples of situations that pose a high risk of explosion and fire and compressed air is typically a cost effective means to eliminate this. Compressed air has been a solution to many industry challenges over the years. From its first use in allowing the mining industry to have a less hazardous environment to its efficiency-focused uses in manufacturing and construction industries, we are sure to see more applications in the future that use compressed air to make processes easier, cheaper or safer.
Here at Ash Air, we have been in business since 1979, and we have seen many changes in how compressed air is used, and the technologies in place. We have been quick thinking, progressive, and have strived over decades to provide our customers in their industries with solutions when they are faced with challenges. With our upskilled engineers, 24/7 breakdown support, we offer astounding performance, durability and reliability, supporting the longevity of your business.
You can view our range of compressors on our website, and contact us
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
Talk to the team today:
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