The air compressor is a powerful piece of equipment, it is used for a variety of applications. From the power-hungry industrial purposes of conveyor operation, pharmaceutical production, or plastics manufacturing to the simple personal uses of inflating tires and equipment cleaning, you will find pressurized air working in all sorts of ways. We have reason to believe that Air tools are of high quality also easy to use
One of the most common and useful ways to use compressed air is to power air tools, also known as pneumatic tools. The many advantages of air-powered tools make it the ideal way to use tools in the manufacturing industry and other environments that require running tools for long periods of time. However there are good arguments by the Tend Industrial supply team that cordless is the way to go especially for handy tools like cordless drills, ratchet and wrenches. Ultimately the option of the tools you use depends on what you are needing it for, some tools need specific features for the job at hand.
While an air compressor is needed to operate air tools, the many benefits outweigh an initial cost of an air compressor, even for the home shop. As technology has advanced over the years, so has easy and inexpensive access to air tools and compressors. For some businesses, air tools are the only way to go, but other businesses need some insight into the functionality and long-term costs to determine if pneumatic tools are the best option for their use.
The right air compressor is also needed to supply appropriate power for the use of air tools. Picking the right one is mainly dependent on the cubic feet per minute (CFM) rating, which measures the volume of air the compressor can produce, and the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating, which measures the force of the air delivered by the compressor.
If you’re considering the switch from electric tools to air-powered tools and you don’t yet have an air compressor or you only have a small one that’s not sufficient for your needs, don’t let the initial cost of an air compressor hold you back. With a careful analysis of the savings in tool cost and repair and the added benefit of compressed air to use for a multitude of other tasks, you’ll likely find that the cost of a quality compressor will not be a much of a disadvantage in the long run.
The biggest benefits of air-powered tools are:
- the lightweight and simple design
- the reliable source of power
- the lower costs of tool purchase and maintenance
- the versatility of use
- the safe power option
You may be trying to gather information to decide if pneumatic tools are the right choice for your work, and you’ll find lots of information here to help you decide. Whether you’re looking for a comparison to electric tools or hydraulic tools, we’ll provide you with detailed facts and comparison lists to help you discover the advantages and disadvantages of air tools.
Air tools are lightweight and have Simple Designs
Since each air tool doesn’t have a motor of its own (because it runs off the power from the air compressor), air tools are significantly lighter in weight than their electric counterparts. This is especially advantageous for those who use tools for a long period of time. Pneumatic sanders, grinders, spray guns, and sandblasters are just a few of the tools that are run continuously in a variety of environments.
Without the extra bulk of a motor, you will experience less muscle fatigue and have better control over the operation of the tool, even after a long day. You will also get the benefit of an ergonomically-focused design that will be better to grip and pivot during use, and the smaller size makes it easier to complete a range of specific applications.
All pneumatic tools also boast a much simpler design than electric tools, which results in less breakdown, easier repair, and longer life. Whether you’re using air tools in your home shop or you have hundreds of tools operating in a production line, this is a huge benefit when you’re considering the long-term costs of tools. Other qualities that relate to the lightweight, simple design of air tools are:
- They hook up easily
- Very low occurrence of malfunctioning (becasue there are no electrical components, electocution and short circuting will not happen)
- Quick user training
- Easy to maintain since there are fewer moving parts
Buy an air tool and enjoy the Lower Costs
There are certain circumstances when you will see lower energy costs with electric tools, especially with irregular use for low power operations, like using a brad gun or drill. However, when tools are used continuously, air-powered tools are the most cost-effective in the majority of situations.
You will see the most savings for professional applications in both the cost of the tools and in the energy consumption. There are many ways energy costs can be controlled in an air compressor system, and it’s your best way to keep costs down.
Over a 10 year span, energy use is the biggest expense of a compressed air system at an estimated 76%, with equipment and maintenance costs both at 12% for a typical manufacturing facility.
If you’re using just one or two tools in your shop on an occasional basis, you won’t benefit from the lower costs of pneumatic tools. However, the reliable power supply and low rate of tool burnout may be the benefit that is more attractive to your situation.
Putting the cost of the air compressor aside, the initial purchase of an air tool, as well as the maintenance and frequency of replacement, are all lower than that of the electric equivalent.
Most air tools are Reliable
From increased power potential to the stability of a well-maintained compressor system, air-powered tools are a reliable way to get work done. The biggest advantage of air-powered tools for the industrial market is the dependability of continuous use — less breakage and maintenance mean less downtime.
Even an auto repair shop or a woodworking facility, that may not have as much urgency to keep production up as a multi-million-dollar organization, will be inconvenienced and experience a loss in profits when their tools and power system let them down. When comparing air-powered tools vs. electric, air tools come out on top for reliability in power supply and equipment uptime.
Air tools are Flexible Option for Any Environment
Air tools can easily adapt to any environment, even if there is no electricity to run an air compressor. The versatility of compressed air as a power source is unmatched by other power sources such as electricity, natural gas, and highly-flammable gasoline. Compressed air can be stored in cylinders, which may be used as the power source for air tools in places such as an oil rig or mine.
Although the airlines can be an issue for some situations, the reliability of compressed air as a power source makes pneumatic tools the ideal choice for a wide range of applications, whether by using reliable electric hook up to run a compressor or by using tanks of compressed air.
With the ability to adjust the pressure through the air compressor, you can easily switch tasks from high-powered sandblasting to low-powered cleaning with speed and ease. You’ll also be able to disconnect and reconnect your air tools quickly, allowing for more efficient practices and a higher production rate.
Many industries need the clean and dry power of compressed air that hydraulic systems do not provide. Soiling products with oil or other contaminants is unacceptable in many industries like food, packaging, leather, and textiles.
Air compressor systems also allow for the higher conversion of energy into work when compared to hydraulic operations. The flow speed of compressed air can reach 20 miles per second (m/s), whereas hydraulic applications can’t even manage half that at 5 m/s. This benefit won’t be relevant for all uses of power tools, but for those applications where quality production can happen at higher speeds, air tools are a welcome solution with economic benefits that affect manufacturers and consumers.
Does not yeild to temperature low or high
Compressed air works just as efficiently when there are extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, and when there are great fluctuations in temperature.
There are a number of environments where electric tools can’t be used due to the high risk of explosion, fire, and other electrical hazards, including:
- In mines
- In damp or wet conditions
- For energy exploration
- Around flammable or explosive materials
Even when the pneumatic tools aren’t connected properly or are used carelessly, there isn’t a negative impact on the rest of the air compression system. Unlike the dangers associated with electric tools, pneumatic tools have very little risk.
As with any tool, and for your own safety, you should have the appropriate knowledge of how to use the tool for its intended purpose. However, when looking at the overall system, there is very little in the way of excessive wear or overheating the system to be concerned about.
Advantages of Air Powered Tools vs. Electric Tools
Electric tools certainly have their place for both personal and professional use. With the technological advances in battery power, cordless tools can be the best choice for uses where cords can create unsafe conditions. If you don’t need greater power and reliability that can be provided with air tools, then you may see the electric option is sufficient for your use.
Air tools are more common in professional environments, especially in manufacturing, as well as auto and woodworking shops. Here are the main advantages of pneumatic tools in comparison to electric:
- Cost. With fewer moving parts and simpler designs, air tools are cheaper to purchase and maintain.
- Flexibility. Compressed air can be used in a variety of environments and in a variety of ways as a power source. You can use stored compressed air for remote areas, and you can change tools and tasks quickly with the dependable air line that’s always ready for fluctuations or steady long-term supply.
- Maintenance. Being comprised of fewer components, the tools themselves require little maintenance or repair. The air system does need to lubricate the air with an aerosolizing lubricating oil, which prolongs the life of the tool by reducing friction. While electric tools don’t have much in the way of maintenance, repairs are much more common, as are complete tool failures.
- Safety. Air tools always run cooler than electric tools and completely eliminate hazards like electric shock and risk of fire. They will also never get overloaded or stall, which can lead to all sorts of unsafe situations and leave you with one less tool.
- Weight. Air tools generally boast a higher rate of production due to their lighter weight and lower worker fatigue. Electric tools tend to have a bulky design to include the motor, and the design gets bulkier the more powerful they get.
Advantages of Air Powered Tools over. Hydraulic Tools
In the industrial industry, especially in manufacturing, high-powered hydraulic systems can be used in place of compressed air systems. Hydraulic operations can exert a much higher amount of power that allows them to operate extremely heavy operations like presses, rock breakers, or demolition tools. They could be the best option for some applications, but there are several applications that can be handled appropriately by either pneumatics or hydraulics. Here are the main advantages to using air-powered tools over hydraulic powered tools:
- Cost. With fewer moving parts as well as a simpler design of the air tools and the whole air compression system, there are fewer components, which lower service and maintenance costs. There can also be cost savings when considering a single compressed air system can operate a variety of other systems at once. Hydraulic systems have more complex and expensive controls.
- Flexibility. Simpler installation and interchanging of tools make for easier and quicker training for the operator. It’s also easier to expand a compressed air system to accommodate a growing operation and use air power for a wider range of applications.
- Maintenance. Much less preventative maintenance is needed for air systems where hydraulic fluids must be regularly monitored and replaced. Also, less downtime is experienced with a compressed air system due to the less complicated controls and minimal preventative maintenance required.
- Safety. A compressed air system operates with lower pressures in a variety of environments and doesn’t pose any danger from accidental air leaks. Hydraulic systems aren’t suitable for operation around high temperatures or fire hazards (although fire-resistant fluids can make it safer). A leaking hydraulic system also releases dangerous contaminants and can cause a complete system shutdown.
- Air tools have a high ratio of power-to-weight that lowers operator fatigue.
Advantages of Pneumatic systems
Apart from powering air tools, pneumatic systems use the force of compressed air to perform all kinds of operations like opening and closing clamps, moving presses to form metals and plastics, and fastening components with assembly torque tools. This airpower has been a welcome solution for many challenges, whether it was to do with safety concerns, consistent power flow, or efficiency in production.
The advantages of pneumatic power supply many industries with a reliable method of getting work done in the most efficient manner. With the proper air compression system, many people enjoy the convenience and ease of the power produced for their air tools. However, while the air tools are simple in design and are easy to learn how to use, the air compressor can be a trickier part to understand.
At GZ Industrial Supplies we have professionals available to discuss the various options that would work best for your applications. Contact us today to get all the information you need to get the right air or pneumatic tools