Compressor, the Prime Mover for Woodworking Machinery

Compressor is important equipment in the wood industry. This equipment is the generator for pressured air as the main energy supply for the woodworking process. The woodworking equipment and tools use pressured air as their main energy supplier. The electric power still may be used, but in limited conditions, to run the small machine and simple tool. 

How does a compressor work?

The compressor works by drawing air through the inlet, then pressing the air in one room until it reaches a certain pressure. This compressed air is stored in a tank and then distributed and used to drive wooden machines. The air pressure needed to run woodworking machines ranges from 70 to 100 psi, or about 4 to 8 bar. You don't need the high-pressure compressor but the high volume to keep the woodworking machine running continuously. 

The benefit of compressor 

• safety

Safety is the main reason why most woodworking machines use air pressure as their energy supply. The woodworking industry is dealing with wood, the combustible material. Before coal and oil were found, wood was the main material for fuel and energy sources. Then the woodworking process has a high risk of fire. The electric has the risk of emitting sparks that can lead to a big fire explosion in the woodworking area. To minimize this risk, most of the woodworking machinery and tools use compressed air as the driving force. The compressed air is also used to run the finishing equipment if there is any finishing process in the factory or the shop.

• Less cost

Basically, the air-powered tool is less expensive than the electric toll. The pneumatic tools are more smooth in the production and require less maintenance. They also last longer than the electric tools. 

The type of compressor for woodworking industry

There are several types of compressors; each has their own advantages, but the most commonly used for the woodworking industry are reciprocating compressors and screw compressors. 

• Reciprocating Compressors

It is also named as the piston compressor. The compressors use a piston within a cylinder to compress the gas. The piston moves up and down, drawing in and compressing the gas on the upstroke. It is simple, portable, and easy in maintenance and handling. This compressor is often used in small-scale operations, small woodworking shops, or as an additional in the big woodworking factory.

• Rotary Screw Compressors

These compressors use two intermeshing helical rotors to compress the gas. As the rotors turn, the gas is trapped and compressed between the rotors and the compressor housing. Rotary screw compressors give smooth operation with continuous air supply. This compressor is commonly used in big-volume woodworking factories.

There are some other types of compressors, such as centrifugal, axial, and diaphragm compressors, but they are rarely used in the woodworking industry. 

compressor installation

Things to be considered in selecting the compressor

When you decide to buy and install a compressor in your woodworking room, there are several things you must consider

• The capacity and specification

The capacity of the compressor is the main consideration when you decide to buy a compressor. Make sure the compressor fulfills the compressed air needed for your work. There are two things of specification you need to consider. First is the PSI (pound per square inch); it determines the pressure of the compressed air delivered by the compressor. The woodworking machinery needs compressed air with a pressure of around 90 psi. 

The second thing is the CFM (cubic feet per minute), which indicates the volume of compressed air pressure in the machine. Make sure your compressor can deliver compressed air with enough amount to run the machinery in your woodworking shops. Make a list of the tools and machinery that are needed in your woodworking room, and then make calculations to find the compressed air pressure needed. Based on the calculation, you can find the compressor capacity you need. 

• The installation

The compressor needs proper installation. to let it fulfill its function properly. The small compressor may just need an air hose to deliver the compressed air to the tools, but the big compressor needs the proper pipeline and installation to optimize his performance. The clean compressed air is needed in the woodworking machinery. The existence of water and oil can cause problems in the woodworking process. The air filter should be installed at the compressor outlet to make sure the compressed air delivered is free from water and oil. 

The compressor will produce heat when it works, then it should be placed outside the woodworking room to minimize the fire risk. 

• The maintenance

Every machine needs maintenance to make it work optimally. Regularly checking and maintenance is needed to make the compressor work well. Make sure the installation is set up to accommodate the maintenance of the machine. Make sure you can do maintenance when you buy the compressor.

• The electric power

The compressor uses electricity to run it. The small compressor needs small power, but the big compressor will need big power, electricity. Make sure you provide enough electricity power to supply and run the compressor.

• The accessories

The compressor installation needs some accessories to support the machine. The air hose or piping is needed to distribute the compressed air from the compressor to the woodworking machinery. The pressure gauge is needed to check and control the pressure of the air. The air dryer and air filter are needed to make sure the air is dry and clean when it is sent to the machinery. An air tank can be installed to keep the compressed air to continuously supply air to the machinery.

Safety valves are the other accessories that need to be installed properly. It is the valves that automatically release excess pressure from the compressor tank to prevent overpressurization and potential accidents.