Resources

Short answer: A compressor intake air filter cleans the outside air at the compressor inlet before it reaches the inlet valve and airend, catching dust that would otherwise wear the compression elemen … read more

Short answer: An aftercooler is a heat exchanger that cools hot compressed air as it leaves the compressor, so much of its water vapour condenses into liquid. A moisture separator and drain then remov … read more

Short answer: To size an air compressor, add up the free air each tool and process uses, scale it by how often each one runs, then add allowances for leaks and planned growth. Set the pressure from yo … read more

Short answer: A piston compressor suits a workshop that uses air in short bursts, such as tyre fitting, impact guns and occasional blow-down. A rotary screw compressor suits a workshop that needs air … read more

Short answer: A rotary screw compressor traps air between two meshing helical rotors and their housing. As the rotors turn, each trapped pocket moves along the rotors and gets smaller, so the air pres … read more