Cutting,
shaping, drilling, and finishing, compressed air is critical for any machine shop. Shops rely heavily on the compressed air system to
assist in a variety of operation processes. Commonly the parts produced are used in the machine industry, car industry or even the
aircraft industry. A traditional workday in a machine shop requires the use of air compressors to generate an intermittent or continuous
source of pressurized air.
What machines commonly require compressed air in the shop?
Metal Lathes: Originally designed for metal, but now available for all types of materials used in machine
shops. Powered by compressed air, this machine allows the material to be rotated and cut with precision.
Milling Machines: Usually used to machine flat surfaces, but can also produce irregular surfaces. They can
also be used to drill, bore, cut gears, and produce slots, all of which are powered by air.
Grinding Machines: Grinding of metal (and other materials) to eliminate imperfections after cutting is
essential.
Paint Booth: Depending how big your shop is, a paint booth is required to paint the parts being manufactured.
The spray gun is operated by compressed air.
Air Guns:During machining operations, material is usually removed from the work piece to accomplish the intended
shape. This results in chips, dust, oil, dirt, and other contaminants becoming entrapped on the cutting tools and cutting surface. These
unwanted materials can block the manufacturing process by reducing machining accuracy and can eventually cause damage to the tooling.
Frequently, using a blast of dry compressed air will keep areas of concern free from contaminants.
CNC Machines: (AKA Computer numerical control) This machine processes a piece of material to meet specifications
by following a coded programmed instruction and without a manual operator,all ran by compressed air.
Water Recovery Filtration: Recycling water is a huge cost saver for any shop. The filtration process requires
air to operate valves and re-circulation process.
What is a Machine Shop?
A
company where machining, a form of manufacturing, is performed. Machinists use machine tools and cutting tools to make parts, usually of
metal, plastic, steel, glass or even wood. Shops can vary in size and scale depending on the industry.
Pain Points for Machine Shops (that we can help with!)
Budget: The key to avoiding a regrettable purchase is to know what the different types can offer you.
Starting with the end goal in mind is how you will find the best air compressor for the money.
Condensation: During CNC machining, it is crucial that the compressed air used to clean exposed surfaces is
sufficiently dry. Air that contains undesirable amounts of moisture can condense on colder surfaces, ultimately resulting in corrosion in
the metal work piece and/or the tooling.
CFM Requirements: It's important to know if the compressor your purchase will drive the tool or equipment
you;ll need for your project.
NOISE!: Metal hitting or sliding against metal can be loud! Typically, the more moving parts an air
compressor has, the louder it will be. This is true in the motor as well.
Electrical Complicity: Understanding your power supply at your business will guide you on the air compressor
choices. What is the voltage available?
Reciprocating Compressors Vs. Rotary Screw Compressor
Which one is right for your shop?
Safe and Convenient : Rotary screw air compressors are incredibly convenient, given that they deliver air
continuously for the required purposes. They are also safe, and cases of accidents with the machines are almost unheard of.
Functions at extreme weather conditions: Rotary air compressors can work at high or low temperatures. The
machines can also work in areas where other forms of energy are prohibited due to safety or temperature levels. To an extent.
They are designed to run tools that generate more power that typical equipment : And since their air flow
rates are extremely high, rotary air compressors can power such equipment effectively.
They are easier to maintain: Many of the modern air compressors in the market have fewer parts that require
maintenance. In fact, some rotary screw machines have up to 70% less parts, which in turn lowers maintenance costs dramatically.
They run quietly despite their massive air flow: Rotary screw air compressors are generally quiet performers,
with many of them having noise dampening technologies. That and the fact that they are not huge in size makes them convenient to be stored
anywhere and still provide a safe working environment.
They are good energy conservation : Rotary screw machines are generally energy efficient, and they generate
less heat than normal air compressors.
They consume less oil than other oil flooded air compressors:In addition, they have minimum oil carryovers.
They are designed to last :Rotary screw air compressors are designed to serve you for many years, all along while
having little or no capacity reduction.
At Ash Air, we take the guess work out of setting up shop. Literally. From the air compressor and dryer to the piping, we have you covered.
Our team will lead everything from installation, to start-up and calibration. We will work side-by-side to ensure they have the training
and resources they need to move forward with your new solution.
Compressor Sizing: An inefficient air compressor results in higher energy costs, improper tool operation and
even shortens the machines life. Allow our pros to size you correctly based on your tools and the shops demand.
Equipment Installation: Trained professionals to install new equipment with flexible installation scheduling
to help reduce productivity loss and downtime.
Complete Air System: Your compressed air pipe can greatly affect the performance of your compressor. A pipe
system should last decades if installed correctly. Leave it to us to help.
Maintenance Scheduling:Regular maintenance can help keep your operation running smoothly, as well as extend the
working life of your equipment. Having scheduled maintenance of your compressor equipment is crucial. CP technicians will perform regular
maintenance procedures, as well as multi-point equipment inspections to evaluate system efficiency.
First Time Buying an Air Compressor?
Using an air compressor in your shop is far more economical and efficient than running electric tools. Air compressors can be located
inside or outside of your shop. If outdoors, a separate shed should be built around it to protect it from the elements (rain, weather, dirt,
etc). If located indoors, it should be placed in a location as far from the work as possible and will provide adequate ventilation. An
indoor shed may also be constructed if this is not possible.
Add up all the CFM required for all the air tools you will be using at one time. For example, if you have three air polishers at 18 CFM per
polisher, that's a total of 54 CFM required. Now add an additional 20%. In our example, that would be another 11 to 12 CFM. This means you
will need at minimum a 70-CFM air compressor, and that does not include room for growth.
There are two types of compressors: Piston compressors and a Rotary screw compressors. I would recommend going with the screw compressor. A
screw compressor produces a constant air supply and is much quieter than a Piston compressor.
We stock a comprehensive range of Chicago Pneumatic Professional Piston Air Compressors.
Single phase piston compressors perfect for your professional workshop, small business, serious DIYers. 1.5HP - 3HP, we have a compressor that meets your needs!
Chat to one of the experienced staff members to find out more which oil lubricated or oil free piston compressor is right for your business. Ideal for professional workshops, and serious DIYers.
What happens when a passion for technology is fused with hands-on industrial experience? Our Chicago Pneumatic and ALUP Piston Air Compressors are the match for your heavy duty workshop.
We stock cast iron, low speed, low wear and tear, european manufactured piston air compressors.
The team at Ash Air pride themselves on providing quality piston compressor products and outstanding customer service to all our clients.
Chicago Pneumatic rotary screw air compressors are built on the very robust platform and feature state of the art controller and high-efficiency screw element.
The Ash Air range of oil lubricated screw air compressors are excellent all-in-one solutions for small and medium workshops, with energy cost savings of 30% - 35%. The most popular air compressors 10HP, 15HP, and 20HP are available as a full feature with integrated air dryer and receiver. More than 100 rotary air compressors available for sale from stock in Auckland and Christchurch.
Direct driven air compressors with variable speed drives offer high energy efficiency, a smooth start and prolonged life of the component parts, reduced system pressure and energy consumption.
For power above 45 kW we offer ALUP air compressors, designed and manufactured in Europe. We installed Alup rotary screw air compressors at dozens of sites in New Zealand for food processing, at timber plants and other industrial sites.
These high-efficiency rotary screw air compressors feature variable speed drives, remote monitoring and heat recovery options. ALUP air compressor is covered by an optional 5 years warranty.
The three most popular air compressors 45 kW, 55kW and 75 kW are available for sale from stock in Auckland. Chat to our experts, we will help you to answer questions about what can you use the compressor for, what compressor is the best and learn all about air compressor efficiency.
The team at AshAir specialises in oil-free or oil-less scroll compressors with zero risk of oil contamination, and are ideal for critical applications including medical, pharmaceutical, dental, R&D, food & beverage, wine and brewery. Our 100% oil-less scroll compressors are designed with fewer moving parts, which means less wear and tear, less noise, higher efficiency and reliability, and a longer machine life .
These scroll compressors use cutting-edge scroll technology where the spirals never contact each other, and no lubrication is needed, making them completely oil-free. Our SPR 20 Multi oil-less scroll compressor operates with variable air delivery, controlled by an intelligent controller for air delivery supplied according to the fluctuation of air demand. This means a higher energy efficiency and more stable system pressure.
As we wouldn't know which granite piece matches a blue backslash, picking the right compressor for your granite shop can leave anyone unsure
on such a big decision.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when comparing compressors:
1. Maintenance: Select an air compressor that is easy to maintain and access. Chicago Pneumatic compressors take
the guessing out of what to do. With detailed manuals to know what is required at each hour interval of your machine.
2. Replacement parts: Don't pick a machine that you have to track filters and parts down for. With a dedicated network
of distibutors, it's simple to order parts and keep your machine always working at it's optimal performance.
3. Noise: Yes, noise is something to consider when selecting your compressor. No one needs a nagging employee
complaining about the noise of a machine. Ask about the decibel chart and where the compressor ranks.
4. Installation: You need to be thinking about where this compressor is going to go. A quiet screw compressor (QRS)
should go inside and can be right beside your employees with minimal noise. Looking to put your compressor outside? Keep in mind, not all
compressors are meant for outside. Weather is a huge component to harming your compressor, so make sure you ask if they have a "weather
kit".
5. Certified Tank: What's that even mean you ask? OSHA requires the tank of your compressor to be certified with ASME.
The ASME certification states the pressure vesssel has been manufactured to specific standards. It should also on the tag have a NB
(National Board) number stamped into it.
6. Drains: Compressed air produces moisture in your machine. Drains are essential to draining that moisture out of
your machine. Make sure you ask where the drains are located, are they automatic and how often you should be manually draining.
Do you have an idea for our #expertcorner? Let
us know!
Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
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!
Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
Nitrogen Generation
An extensive line of Air Treatment components
AIRnet Piping System and Filtration
Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products 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 with
nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts
available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption and meeting our sustainability goals
Air compressors come in many types, rotary screw, piston, scroll, reciprocating, some are oil-free and other air compressors require oil
lubrication. Like many businesses, an efficient air compressor is at the heart of their operations. So, which type of compressor should you
choose? What makes a compressor, like a rotary screw, unique? Here are some clear cut benefits of equipping your business with a rotary
screw compressor.
Read More…
In the world of compressors, there are often significant and unutilized energy-saving possibilities including energy recovery, pressure
reduction, leakage reduction and optimization of operations through correct choice of a control and regulation system as well as the choice
of compressor size.We are going to take a look at some of the opportunities for minimizing the compressor’s operating costs.
Read More…
Many installations that produce compressed air offer significant and frequently unutilized energy
saving possibilities in
the form of waste energy recovery. In large industries, energy costs can amount to 80% of the total cost of compressed
air production.
However, a lot of this energy can be recovered, which in turn will save you a lot of money.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Liquid water in compressed-air systems can lead to rusted equipment and unresponsive controls. Anyone who uses compressed air will, at some
point, find liquid water in the air distribution system. This can be anything from a nuisance to a serious problem, depending on the
application. If water might corrode equipment or introduce bacteria, removing it is critical.
Read More…
Whenever most people think about a compressor, they probably have a piston compressor in mind. You might already know there are two basic
principles of air compression. One of those is the principle of displacement compression. There are a lot of compressor types that classify
as a displacement compressor. The piston compressor is one of them, oil-lubricated or oil-free.
Read More…
Once you have the size and type of
compressor figured out, one last question remains, should I go with an oil lubricated or oil-free air compressor. To not overcomplicate the
answer, your choice should be based on the application and process that the compressed air will be utilized in.
Read More…
Like all compressor types, rotary screw models do require periodic maintenance. Thanks to the simplicity of the internal components,
maintenance is relatively easy on most rotary air compressors. As long as you stick to a rotary screw compressor maintenance schedule, you
will likely be rewarded with many, many years of optimal productivity from your machine.
Read More…
Did you know, the biggest part of the air we breathe is nitrogen? Everyone needs oxygen to survive, however air is made up of 78% nitrogen,
only 21% oxygen and tiny amounts of other gases. Although, the human body does not use this nitrogen, it is very helpful in various
industrial applications. There is an unlimited source of nitrogen readily available, allowing you to achieve needed purity at a fraction of
your current annual nitrogen cost.
Read More…
If you notice that your compressor is getting hot and bothered, there may be heating issues affecting your air compressors performance. Did
you know that an overheating compressor is top of the pops for being the most common cause of compressor failure.
Read More…
A rotary-screw compressor is an air compressor that uses a rotary-type positive-displacement mechanism, typically used replace piston
compressors where large volumes of high-pressure air are needed, either for large industrial applications or to operate high-power air
tools.
Read More…
Have a look around and what do you see? What are you thinking about? Your next holiday to Queenstown maybe? You might go snowboarding with
the kids or have some alone time at the Day Spa. Whatever holiday you choose, compressed air is involved in some way, without you even
realising it!
Read More…
There are crucial reasons why you should service and maintain your compressor regularly, with the most common issues being piston failure
caused by wear of components, increased friction, corrosion, reduced cooling, overheating bearings and components, clogging of air filters.
Read More…
Our passion for energy efficiency and cost saving derives from the concern for our children’s future. Analysing the efficiency of your
system is a brilliant way to start saving.
Read More…
Compressed air is all around us, from the air in a balloon to pumping up tires on your bicycle. In this article we will explain what
compressed air is and how it is created. Whether you know it or not, compressed air is involved in every aspect of our lives, from the
balloons at your birthday party to the air in the tires of our cars and bicycles. It was probably even used when making the phone, tablet or
computer you’re viewing this on.
Read More…
One of the biggest challenges is to correctly size your new air compressor. Similarly to everything else, new compressors available on the
market are more efficient and employ better technology, therefore you have to understand the application and usage to size the machine
correctly. Choosing the wrong air compressor for your facility can lead to problems with production and or increased costs due to wasted
energy.
Read More…
Once you have the size of the air compressor figured out, the
next thing to do is to decide on the type of compresor you will need for your application - piston, rotary screw compressor etc. Let us take
a look at two of the most popular options available. When choosing the right type of compressor, you should ask yourself the following
questions:
Read More…
Which vacuum pump do I need? - this is one of the most frequent questions we receive and this is understandable, because there are number
of technologies which can provide the same vacuum level and pumping speed. Here is quick advice on how to choose the best vacuum pump for
your needs.
Read More…
You may be asking, why does my air compressor start, then stop? Allow us to take the guessing out of it. We understand your pain. We know
that a compressor problem can quickly result in hours (if not days) of production downtime and loss of revenue. When your compressor
continuously shuts off from on, we refer that as a short cycle. There are a few reasons that a short cycle may be happening with your
compressor.
Read More…
Air compressor leaks are very common in all applications, but can be very costly and difficult to find. On average, 20-30% of the compressed
air used in a manufacturing plant is wasted as leaked air. Finding and fixing these leaks can save your business thousands of wasted dollars
a year.
Read More…
When installing a compressed air system into a business, people often look to PVC piping as an option to build a piping system because it is
cheap, versatile and easy to install. However, using PVC pipe in any compressed air application is extremely dangerous and NOT recommended
by multiple associations and manufacturers.
Read More…
Changing the oil and oil filters on your compressor is one of the most common routine maintenance tasks to perform to keep your compressor
running efficiently. After you remove your old oil and oil filter, you may find yourself wondering, “Where do I dispose of these?”, or “Can I
just throw them in the trash?”. Because oil is toxic and a pollutant, disposing of your old oil and filters is not as simple as just tossing
them in the trash.
Read More…
Cutting,
shaping, drilling, and finishing, compressed air is critical for any machine shop. Shops rely heavily on the compressed air system to
assist in a variety of operation processes. Commonly the parts produced are used in the machine industry, car industry or even the
aircraft industry. A traditional workday in a machine shop requires the use of air compressors to generate an intermittent or continuous
source of pressurized air.
A
company where machining, a form of manufacturing, is performed. Machinists use machine tools and cutting tools to make parts, usually of
metal, plastic, steel, glass or even wood. Shops can vary in size and scale depending on the industry.
