April 20th, 2012
High capacity air compressors are an essential part of many commercial and industrial companies. Air compressors do everything from powering tools on a factory production line, to keeping refrigerators cools in restaurants and filling the tires on your car at the local mechanics shop. When one of these complex and essential machines need maintenance, companies can’t afford to have them out of service for long. So finding the right air compressor parts the first time is essential.
When an air compressor needs regular scheduled maintenance, or if an unexpected part fails, the problem faced by organizations is that compressors are manufactured all over the world. Some compressors are manufactured offshore, and then imported, packaged and sold under a second company’s brand. As a result, tracking down the right air compressor part can take longer than the repair itself.
Therefore, the first step in sourcing air compressor parts and compressor oil is finding a company that can connect you to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) parts. When a company has to replace filters or rubber o-rings, off brand parts are acceptable. However, when a compressor needs a maintenance overhaul, repair personnel should demand OEM parts. In too many cases, a non-OEM replacement part may or may not be designed up to the original manufacturer’s specifications. An inferior part can fail prematurely, and in many cased, installing non-OEM air compressor parts can void the company warrantee or service contract.
Another important service product is the compressor oil. The compressor oil is designed to unique specifications, depending on the type and size of the compressor, and the environment in which the compressor is installed. A compressor that runs a refrigeration unit uses different oil than a compressor in a food packaging plant, or an auto repair shop.
Sourcing the correct compressor oil is also essential for the life and overall mechanical health of the compressor.
Because of the sheer number of suppliers across the globe, the most daunting task when sourcing air compressor replacement parts and oil is tracking down the right part, and verifying that the part meets OEM specifications for a specific compressor. When purchasing replacement or maintenance part, companies must verify their parts through extensive cross-referencing. Only by starting with the original manufacturers specifications, and then tracking back though cross-referenced indexes can an organization make sure they have the right part for their machinery.
Some of the most frequently replaced parts include various filters on the compressor. A paper or foam filter protects the machine’s air intake. This device prevents dust or dirt from entering the equipment, which would increase the internal wear. For air compressors that supply compressed air to tools or other equipment, the compressed air outlet also contains various filters. As air is compressed, water molecules often turn into liquid water. Inline filters remove the water from the airline. Compressed air also collects some of the lubricant used in the compressor, Inline filter also separate out any oil contamination.
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