Work with the use of pneumatic tools requires the use of a compressor unit. The main direction of operation of such a tool covers car services, small workshops, domestic needs and individual production areas. Therefore, a low-power compressed air supply station for such needs may not be enough, and an industrial unit is impractical due to incompatibility with the demands of pneumatics. The best option may be a belt compressor, which provides average power and pressure characteristics, but at the same time has a high degree of reliability.
Belt compressor features
The main design feature of such machines is the belt drive. Despite the criticism of this device, which notes the wear of the belt, the correct ratio of the power of the pneumatic equipment and the air supply station gives reason to expect a long service life of the installation. Moreover, piston belt compressors are quite amenable to updating individual components.
What does the user get from the belt drive in practice? First of all, this is a decrease in temperature in the processgenerating air flows and maintaining the reliability of the internal element base. These benefits are achieved through lower engine speeds while maintaining optimal performance and a more efficient cooling system. In addition, the belt compressor allows the use of modern air filters and dryers, which also have a beneficial effect on performance.
Key Features of Belt Compressors
It should be noted right away that belt units are professional and household. The first group provides a power potential of 4 kW, and models for home use and small auto repair shops have 1.5-2 kW. The next important characteristic is the volume of the receiver. The larger the capacity, the higher the air reserve level, which minimizes the number of engine stop and start cycles. Again, professional models have a receiver volume of up to 200 liters, while household ones are provided with 50-100 liters. But here it is important to note that a belt-driven compressor, in which the air reserve in the receiver exceeds 100 liters, cools faster. As for the pressure, it averages 8-10 bar, regardless of whether the unit belongs to the domestic or professional segment. By the way, this indicator is key in terms of the compatibility of the pneumatic tool and the compressor itself.
Model FUBAG VCF/100 CM3
FUBAG manufacturer is one of the leaderssegment, regularly confirming the high reliability and functionality of its products. In this case, we are talking about a medium-sized installation, which can be considered as a universal one. A distinctive feature of the modification is the combination of an efficient heat dissipation system, performance and maneuverability. Structural optimization was given special attention, which made it possible to offer an air belt compressor with ergonomic transport devices and a 100-liter volume receiver. Also, the model is equipped with two pressure gauges, which allow you to control the operating parameters of the compressor with a high degree of accuracy.
Model "Caliber KM-2100/50R"
Small in size but still efficient for its class, suitable for paintwork, rust removal, surface blasting and other standard pneumatic applications. Due to the balanced combination of pressure and power indicators, the unit has a high working resource, which also determines the durability of the structure. A belt compressor of this modification is provided and, at first glance, insignificant, but tangible in practice, using elements of well-thought-out ergonomics. Among them, it is worth highlighting a measuring eye for convenient visual control of the oil level, and handles on the body that facilitate transportation operations.
Model Fiac AB 300-7, 5 F
The Italian company presents a model for industrial use, characterized by increasedperformance. Compared to similar compressors of this class, the model operates at medium frequencies, which reduces the wear rate of the piston group. This is due to the fact that the parts during the working action heat up less and practically do not undergo deforming processes. In addition, as an additional measure of protection against overheating, the belt compressor in this design was provided by the developers with a cooling fan. As a result, the user can expect not only to extend the working life of the working elements, but also to increase the duty cycle. To this we can add an almost record high volume of the receiver of 300 liters, which allows the installation to be used in long work cycles at large enterprises.
How to choose a compressor?
Technical specifications should be the main factor in determining the right model for a particular purpose. But, there are other nuances that should be kept in mind. For example, it makes sense to pay attention to the package. For an efficient organization of the workflow, it is important to have at hand the entire set of accessories that ensure reliable pairing of the installation and pneumatic tools. Also in the question of how to choose a compressor, the presence of modern security systems matters. It will be an advantage to have an overload protection system and an automatic shutdown option. During operation, design flaws are often found in the form of a lack of convenient equipment for moving the unit. This nuance should also be taken into account when choosing a compressor, although it is not decisive in terms of the direct performance of the equipment.
