What size Air Compressor

[XG Print]

Hey!!  What size air compressor would I need to run a new 8/6 Sportsman Auto....Servo drive / AC heads?  Also what flash would you guys recommend for this set up...This is the 2020 version.

Thanks

[jvanick]

we run our 10c/12s Sportsman (servo/ac) off of a 5hp Rotary Screw with no problems at all, plenty of capacity.

look at the CFM requirements of the press running full out and plan from there... you could probably get away with a 3hp, but a 5hp would be good if you have anything else in the shop that may require air as well.  If you're going rotary screw, don't go too big tho as they are designed to run 'mostly loaded' and it's bad for them to be starting and stopping.

As far as flashes go, Red Chili D's are great, we're super happy with both of ours -- the substrate sensor has helped us avoid scorching on difficult fabrics.

[SI]

Not familiar with the press, but get the specs for max CFM.  Then find a compressor and chiller that can output that CFM.  In my case I don't have three phase so i went with the highest output CFM rotary screw that you can run on single phase.  I got a 24CFM rotary screw.  They are very quiet, but as Jason said they are meant to run 100% duty cycle.  If you can't afford the rotary screw keep in mind that the piston style compressors are meant to run around 70-80% duty cycle if my memory is correct, so in that situation you would want an air receiver tank to let it take a break and stay in that duty cycle range.  I know of another shop that goes through a compressor almost once a year because they are running a piston style continuously.  The main reason I went rotary screw is for noise levels.  Running it outputs around 75-80 dB.  My shop is small and I don't have anywhere to hide the compressor, with a piston style i would be working with ear plugs all day long.

[tolgaefendi]

Hey!!  What size air compressor would I need to run a new 8/6 Sportsman Auto....Servo drive / AC heads?  Also what flash would you guys recommend for this set up...This is the 2020 version.

Thanks

9CFM is what you need which is equivalent to 3 HP
i suggest , you get a 7.5 or 10 HP so you have plenty of extra HP in case you add a 2nd or  3rd auto in the future .

[ZooCity]

Get the biggest rotary screw (variable drive if ya can swing it) you have available power and budget for.  Compressors are like your dryer and you will inevitably need more capacity. 

Screws are fantastic for their ability to run all day with no concerns so you can push it if you need to but make it your goal to never starve out your machines for air.  Consider utility air as well, we have pistol air knives at four different stations in the shop.

We have a 15hp screw and I would have put in larger if we had the amperage available. 

Have always ran Chicago Pneumatic (no, not harbor freight...unfortunate similarity in name) total air system units which I guess are a spin off brand of Atlas Copco?, not sure, but they rule.  Good price and if you have a tech fire it up they warranty out 5 years.  The QRS line is also very easy to maintain.  There are better units for more of course. 

I would look hard at variable drive if it can soften the amperage jump at screw start up, these suckers draw a crap ton of amps for just a few seconds but otherwise are much lower draw. 

[LocalColor]

So we ran rotary VANE not screw, Matei 15 hp for 15 yrs. replaced vanes once, cheap, and an oil temp sensor, even cheaper. We ran it continuously feeding 2 8/6 Gauntlet/Revolvers, plus other utility air around the shop. Best compressor I have ever been around. Not cheap, but great.