Selecting the correct air compressor for your application can be a complicated process. Before making a purchase, operators need to specify the quality and amount of air their application requires. Each compressor technology (rotary, piston, centrifugal, etc.) has an optimal flow output, so users sh

The following is an excerpt from the article 7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Vacuum Pump by Greg Marciniak, product marketing manager with the industrial vacuum division of Atlas Copco Compressors. The full version can be read online or in the January/February issue of Blower and Vacuum Best

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that today is Valentine’s Day. While some people opt to skip the romance in favor of Singles Appreciation Day, about 61.8% of consumers from across the nation will take part in the chocolate- and greeting card-fueled holiday. Whether you’re celebratin

The 1650s were an exciting period in world history. The Taj Mahal was completed at Agra, New York City was incorporated, coffee was introduced in France, and Otto von Guericke invented the vacuum pump. Born in 1602 in Magdeburg, Prussia (now Germany), von Guericke left home at 15 to attend the Unive

For over half a century, February has been recognized as heart health month. Heart disease has long been the number one cause of death for both men and women in America; nearly 1 in 4 deaths are attributed to heart issues. Heart disease is preventable; by adopting healthy habits — including eating

Have you ever noticed the extra space inside a bag of popcorn or chips? It may seem like an accident, but that gas inside plays a special role in keeping food safe and fresh. Nitrogen is used to preserve packaged foods during shipping and storage.  Food manufacturers can produce it on-site, and

Like Queen, we’ve all been under pressure. Whether it’s a tight deadline at work or chores to finish around the house, there’s no denying that daily stress can pull us down like a heavy weight. Okay, so maybe it’s not a literal pressure, but you get the idea. Pressure, in the scientific sense, is de

Piston compressors have been around for centuries. They can be either oil-injected or oil-free, depending on the application and end use. In oil-injected models, the oil typically serves three crucial purposes: cooling, sealing and lubricating. But not all oil-injected piston compressors lubricate c

When purchasing a new compressor, many people tend to focus on the capabilities it provides — and for good reason. But once you’ve selected a compressor, it’s time to install it. While a lot of thought goes into compressor selection, many people don’t consider issues that could arise during installa

It was the middle of summer when the compressors in a Massachusetts facility shut down. Though the compressors had run smoothly for years, but no more; they were overheating in the midafternoon. The facility manager reached out to Atlas Copco to remedy the situation. “The manager was not very happy

We’ve all heard the phrase “New Year, New You.” While ubiquitous and a bit cliché, it sums up many people’s attitudes toward the start of a new annual cycle. Whether you’re committing to get in shape or develop a positive habit, most of us are taking on new challenges that will ultimately better our

Since the 1800s, canning has been the best way to preserve foods. Nicolas Appert patented the first tin cans in 1810, and the process soon took off as a commercial enterprise. Fast forward to today. Canning is still a mainstay in food packaging and preservation, though the process looks a bit differ

Oil-free compressors are used to produce a range of sensitive products, from semiconductors to medication to paper. Even trace amounts of oil in these applications can damage products and potentially people. There is a lot of terminology used in the market that is not always straightforward, and thi

The following is an excerpt from the article 10 Tips to Lower Compressed Air Costs by Deepak Vetal, product marketing manager, oil-free screw, centrifugal, and high-pressure air, Atlas Copco Compressors. The full version can be read online or in the upcoming February issue of Plant Enginee

Have you ever effortlessly glided on an ice skating rink? Or slid across a wood floor in your socks? If you haven’t, you definitely need to. If you have, you’ve experienced the exhilarating weightlessness that comes from low friction. While an essential force in our material world, friction can caus

Ask Atlas Copco is a segment that discusses commonly asked questions about various compressor, vacuum, and blower technologies, processes and best practices. Today’s answers come from Deepak Vetal, product marketing manager, oil-free screw, centrifugal, and high-pressure air. Q: What is oil-free ai

We all know that properly sizing your air receiver is a crucial part of keeping compressed air costs low. Choosing an air receiver that is too small can be risky if you experience unexpected demand spikes, but choosing an air receiver that’s too big can waste money. But once you have one, how do you

Ask Atlas Copco is a segment that discusses commonly asked questions about various compressor, vacuum, and blower technologies, processes and best practices. Today’s answer comes from Brian Blum, CTS optimization product manager. Aluminum piping systems offer many advantages to operators. Corrosion

We all know the importance of drying compressed air. It’s a crucial step in the compressed air process that, if skipped, can lead to gallons of water building up in your system. But why is compressed air wet? The simple answer is that air always contains moisture. You may notice it on a humid day i

Electric motors are used to run innumerable appliances and equipment in today’s industrialized world. Silent and reliable, they have been a machinery staple for many years and are often found in compressors. However, they present some drawbacks. Permanent magnet motors offer excellent performance wi