ADVANTAGES OF AIR
POWER
Air vs. Electric
Air powered tools and equipment have four major advantages over electric
powered equipment.
1. Flexibility...power by portable compressors
means air tools can be operated in remote areas. Air tools run cooler and have the
advantage of variable speed and torque- no damage from overload or stalling.
|
|
|
 |
|
| 2. Lightweight...the air tool is lighter in
weight and lends itself to higher rates of production with less worker fatigue 3. Safety...air equipment reduces the danger of fire hazard in many industries.
4. Low cost operation and maintenance due to fewer moving parts,
accessibility, and simple design. |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Air vs. Hydraulic
1. Low initial cost...fewer parts and a single air supply permits
operation of many separate systems. Less complicated and costly controls are permissible
with air. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Greater safety...unless expensive fire
resistant fluids are used, hydraulic equipped machines operating near fire or high
temperatures create fire hazards. Air systems operate with lower line pressure3. Flexibility...air systems provide simpler
installation particularly where a product is changed, as in the automotive industry, and
adaptability for automation where systems are changed or expanded.
|
|
|
 |
|
4. For lower
maintenance cost...realized where down is a factor due to more complicated arrangement
necessary with hydraulic systems.5. Less preventative maintenance with air; hydraulic
systems must be kept free of contaminants.
6. Leakage in an air system is not as critical as with hydraulic. |
|
|
|
|
