Used Compressors for Sale — 5,415

Industrial Compressors Applications

There are large indirect and direct risks associated with industrial compressors. Electrical shocks or fires caused by faulty insulation are a common occurrence when using this energy form. The development of power is also very limited. Hydraulic energy is the standard form of energy used for large and precise power generation. The hydraulic pump is usually electrically powered. Hydraulic operation is good for high amounts of power, but this means that the processing speed is low. Therefore, pneumatic power is the preferred method for processing and reforming small components. The disadvantage of pneumatic power is the high level of primary losses that occurs due to the compressibility of the air. This is the most expensive form of energy used for operation. However, it is still the most useful type of energy supply in industrial and manual work. It is a very efficient form of energy, particularly due to the high speeds that work stations can reach via pneumatic energy. The compressed air needed for pneumatic applications is supplemented by electrically operated compressors.

Structure of a Compressor

Compressors have the same principle construction despite their different designs and sizes. An industrial compressor is made out of a compressed-air generating unit and an accumulator. Depending on their size, feet, rollers and boxes, compressors are usually mounted on a trailer. The compressed air generating unit – the actual compressor – is powered by an electric motor. The pressure is taken in by the compressor using a pipe. Pressure can be released, stored or monitored via a faucet. A pressure gauge is available to display how much pressure is available in the container. The accumulator is made out of a welded steel plate.

There are two principle constructions available for the compressor device. The most common design is the reciprocating compressor. Similarly to a four-stroke engine, this type of compressor consists of a crankshaft, connecting rod, cylinder and vents. The air is sucked in during one stroke, compressed and then transferred to the accumulator.

The second design has two screws that run into one another. When these are running, the space between the screws becomes smaller, which compresses the air even further. Screw compressors have a lot of advantages in relation to reciprocating compressors. The old technology of reciprocating compressors is gradually being replaced.

All the advantages of a screw compressor are due to the differences in their construction. The screws that run into one another are the only part of the device that moves. Additionally, they can run contact-free, which reduces their wear and tear, energy demand and noise levels. Reciprocating air compressors are characterised by being very loud, which means that it is usually necessary to install these machines in a separate room. The numerous jerky components of a reciprocating compressor usually have a high level of wear and tear. Therefore, maintenance is usually very demanding and should not be neglected.

Compressors have an internal compressed air sensor, which controls the engine. If the maximum amount of pressure is reached in the tank, then the air compressor will switch off automatically. If the boost pressure is reached then the compressor switches on again and builds up the pressure. Pressure gauges and compressed air sensors are two components, which are regularly checked by independent monitoring organisations. If either of these components are broken, then the tank can overload and burst. This has damaging consequences. Compressors are often installed outdoors for safety and noise reasons.

Applications for Air Compressors

Compressors produce compressed air. They are used in small workshops for painting and blasting work and are used as a direct carrier for the applied substances. The air is the ideal carrier, which controls and hosts materials to be sprayed. Compressed air is used to clean components very well. Even hard to reach areas can be accessed and very well cleaned using the corresponding guns. A compressed air pipe with an attached gun is usually found in the close proximity to a cutting machine (e.g. milling machines). Before working with this so-called air brush, the worker should be sufficiently briefed. Compressed air guns can cause great injuries, and even death, especially if used jokingly around bodily orifices. In addition to powering paint and blasting guns, compressed air is also used in workshops to power hand tools. Pneumatically operated welding, drilling and assembly tools are characterised as being particularly robust, not weighting much and having greater resilience in relation to electric tools. The main use of air compressors in an industry is to create compressed air for various pneumatically operated production machines. Pneumatically operated machines are a particularly safe option, when electric energy is not available. The main advantage of pneumatically operated processes are that they have high clock rates, they are consistently precise, and they are easy to install and operate.

Compressors are very easy to operate. They are ready for operation as soon as they are connected to electricity. If there is no electricity available, combined electricity and compressed air generators can be used. These are usually implemented on construction sites. In the construction sector, compressors are generally used to power caulking hammers. They are most commonly used for large machines. Jack hammers can often be used where caulking hammers are not suitable. It is particularly important to note that the accumulator does not get damaged. Blows from a hammer, knocking into the machine or components, or falls can turn the compressor for sale into a bomb. This occurs when the stored energy, in the form of pressure, is suddenly released. This has a very high risk of damage and injury. Generally, industrial air compressors for sale are very reliable and safe machines that can be economically and efficiently operated.

Used Compressors for Sale at Second Hand Market

Compressors are the back bone of every metal workshop, they are multi-functional and help with almost everything at the workshop. Getting a used compressor for your workshop is worthwhile when you want to save money but still get a good compressor for your workshop. These days, especially major manufactures (see next paragraph), produce the compressors as machines that will last many years, with low maintenance. 

Compressor Manufacturers

Small workshop compressors for painting, powering pneumatic hand tools or blasting work are available from the following companies: KNORR/BAUER, KOZAK, INGERSOLL RAND, VAN ELOWUT, MAHLE and SCHNEIDER. Large compressors suited for constructions sites are used to power jack hammers, cleaning fans, pressure generators and ventilation systems, and are available from the following industrial compressor manufacturers: ATLAS COPCO, HARBOR FREIGHT, HUSKY, MAC MEUDON, IRMER+ELZE, DEMAG and ISARTALER. These are now increasingly available as screw compressors. 

On TradeMachines, you can find the largest selection of used compressors for sale worldwide from best producers.