Air compressors are essential tools in the automotive industry, facilitating a range of applications that are critical to both manufacturing processes and maintenance tasks. These compressors convert power into potential energy stored as compressed air, which can be used to power various pneumatic tools and systems. The reliability, efficiency, and versatility of air compressors make them indispensable in the automotive sector.
How to select the right compressor technology
When choosing an air compressor, you must know the pressure and flow required by your facility. It is critical to be aware of the amount of compressed air flow (CFM) needed at a specific pressure (PSI) for the process to work right.
Undersizing will lead to pressure drops, oversizing can lead to mechanical issues. Both can lead to potential failure of the compressor and interrupted production. The best way to measure accurate flow, is to perform a compressed air audit.
How do you size a compressor?
Upgrading from piston to screw compressors
Upgrade from piston to screw compressors
Once you decide on the right size of compressor, you will need to choose between two air compressor types: piston and rotary screw. If you already use piston screw compressors, consider upgrading to screw compressors. Watch the video to know why.
With screw compressors, you gain from the duty cycle, low cost of ownership and improved performance.
Optimize with EQ. Monitor with SMARTLINK.
- Minimize unload time
- Reduce pressure band
- Optimize system performance
- Minimize unload time
- Reduce pressure band
- Optimize system performance
- Make your factory smart
- Improve health and uptime
- Experience energy efficiency
- Make your factory smart
- Improve health and uptime
- Experience energy efficiency
Air quality matters 🔎
The purity of compressed air changes according to application. For example, when it comes to metal treatment or the finishing of automotive parts. On its own, compressed air contains impurities. Without air treatment, this will affect your compressed air system.
Atlas Copco desiccant dryers meet and often exceed international standards for compressed air purity. protect the reliability of your production and the quality of your automotive parts and metal.
The BIG picture: Integrated options
GA75 VSD+ FF
We integrate Variable Speed Drive as standard, along with an Interior Permanent Magnet motor and a unique air compressor inverter. As a result, the GA compressor reduces energy consumption by an average of at least 35%,
UD+ filters
UD+ filters efficiently reduce oil aerosol, wet dust and water drops in your compressed air stream to protect your investment, equipment and processes. The UD+ combines two filtration steps (DD+ and PD+) into one.
Energy Recovery
Atlas Copco Energy Recovery solutions allow you to reuse that thermal energy, lowering your plant’s overall energy consumption. It enables you to save costs, while reducing your environmental impact. Easy installation, minimal floorspace.
Do your test labs use silent class 0 air ?
Oil-free air is used in all kinds of applications in the automotive industry, where air quality is paramount for the end-product and the production process. Class 0 with respect to oil helps you:
- Do away with filters to remove the oil from compressed air
- Reduce high energy consumption due to higher pressure drops created by the filters
- Reduce risk of damaging the product quality & product lifecycle due to contaminated air by oil.
- Cut down on production stops, contaminated product or loss of brand image.
- LZ: The low-noise, high-performance, cost-saving foundation of your nitrogen system, doesn’t require additional filtration equipment.Vompact footprint, low maintenance and downtime.
- SF: Equipped with IE3 premium efficiency motors as standard. Unloaded power consumption is eliminated thanks to the simple start/stop control.
- AQ: Eliminates the risk of contamination with 100% oil-free air for applications that require the highest levels of purity. Water-cooled or air-cooled, it meets your needs for quality air with high-pressure capability and energy efficiency.
Applications of air compressors in the automotive industry
1. Plasma cutting
In the automotive industry, plasma cutting is a vital process used to cut through metal parts with precision. Air compressors are used to supply the compressed air necessary for the plasma cutting tool to function. The high-velocity jet of ionized gas, heated to an extremely high temperature, is capable of melting metal in a controlled and precise manner, which is ideal for cutting shapes out of metal sheets or removing old parts during vehicle restorations.
2. Painting
Compressed air is crucial in the automotive painting process. It powers spray guns that apply coats of primer, paint, and topcoat evenly across the vehicle's surface. The air compressor must provide clean, dry, and consistent air to ensure a smooth, flawless finish. Contaminants or moisture in the compressed air can lead to paint splotches or uneven application, which can significantly affect the quality of the paint job.
3. Tyre inflation
Tyre inflation is another straightforward yet critical application of air compressors in the automotive industry. Compressed air is used to inflate tyres to the correct pressure, ensuring optimal vehicle performance and safety. Maintaining proper tyre inflation can also improve fuel efficiency and extend the lifespan of the tyres.
4. Product finishing
In automotive manufacturing, product finishing includes various tasks such as sanding, grinding, and buffing, all of which can be powered by air compressors. Pneumatic tools powered by compressed air are used to finish surfaces, remove blemishes, and prepare metal parts for painting or assembly. These tools offer more control and consistency than manual methods, contributing to higher quality and efficiency in the finishing process.
Each of these applications demonstrates the versatility and necessity of air compressors in the automotive industry. Their ability to power a wide range of tools and processes efficiently makes them an integral part of modern automotive manufacturing and maintenance.
