The importance of air tool management for an efficient installation
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What do you think is essential for achieving high productivity and optimal functioning of any air tool? Yes, it is an optimized air infrastructure installation. Having selected the correct tool for your job, some additional effort must be spent on the air infrastructure. When it comes to compressed air systems, two of the most common terms are air pressure and air flow – let us first understand what these mean and how they are measured:
Air pressure |
Air flow |
| Determines the compressor’s ability to perform a specified amount of work at any given point in time. The compressor must provide the right amount of pressure, or force, needed to complete the process. Too little pressure means the job won’t get done, whereas too much pressure can damage the equipment and cause unexpected malfunctions. | It is the compressor’s ability to continue performing a certain task. The amount of flow needed depends on the length of time required to complete the task. With insufficient flow, the compressor will require breaks to rebuild pressure in the compressor’s reserve tank. Flow is the volume of fluid through a surface per unit time. |
Measure: Units of force per unit of surface area. Bar is a metric unit and psi is an imperial unit. |
Measure: L/s (liters per second) or cfm (cubic feet per minute) at a specific pressure. |
To improve the air line installation, giving more power and efficiency to the air tool reliant production, it is important to know what is wrong and what is right
Things not to be done:
Correct things to do:
To conclude, here are some recommendations on how can we improve the air line by small means:
✔Lubrication can prolong lifetime. Use a filter and regulator to set and monitor clean, dry, lubricated air.
✔Distance – keep it as short as possible. Use the correct type of hose, max 3-5 meters/10-16 ft.
✔Inlet thread dimension. Choose the correct nipple for each tool. Full flow couplings for best performance.
✔Air consumption. Consider using larger pipe sizes and couplings to ensure correct air pressure to the tools.
✔Allowable pressure drop. Avoid leakages, listen for them!
✔Working environment. Install a more resistant air line system if working outdoors or in rough environments.