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 Paul Petersen, regional manager for blowers and low-pressure compressors. Last week, we began debunking the common

Growing up in northern New Jersey, Bogi Lateiner never thought she’d have a career in the auto industry. A self-proclaimed “girly girl” and “super nerd” with a penchant for pink, Lateiner dreamed of becoming a dancer. But when Lateiner was 16, she got her first car — and an experience that would sh

Air compressors are essential machines in many industrial operations. When one of them is down for unexpected reasons or scheduled service, it can be a disruption. But air compressors can be a disruption when they’re running, too. Noise of any kind can be irritating in a work environment, causing p

If you know the principles behind the rotary tooth compressor, then you’re well on your way to understanding the dry claw vacuum pump. While they perform opposite processes, the mechanisms are very similar. Let’s get started.  As the name suggests, these pumps do not require liquid to seal and

Atlas Copco continues to grow as a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions with its acquisition of Glauber Equipment Corporations’ compressor-related business. Glauber Equipment, based out of Lancaster, N.Y., is an Atlas Copco compressed air distributor and service provider. Glauber

Centralized vacuum systems are a boon to many industrial applications. This month, Blower and Vacuum Best Practices’ Expert Webinar Series focuses on the design, optimization and benefits of a centralized vacuum system. The webinar will take place on June 29 at 2 p.m. ET. Keynote speaker Tim D

In our last post on mining, we covered several applications that use low-pressure compressed air as a part of each process. In this post we will look at two applications – froth flotation and tank leaching. We will review each application, how compressed air is used in the processes, and what type o

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But should it always? Sure, you probably shouldn’t get a drive-thru marriage and most people don’t want to see your Elvis costume. On the other hand, what you learn at the Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers (AWFS) Fair in Las Vegas shou

Bearings play a critical role in any piece of rotating machinery. They not only support the load of the rotating shaft assembly, but they also mitigate the friction generated between the moving and stationary parts. Common types of bearings include traditional ball bearings, roller bearings and tape

The following is an excerpt from the article Help Your Air Compressors Beat the Heat by Beth Morgan, product marketing manager with Atlas Copco Compressors. The full version can be read online or in the June issue of Maintenance Technology.  Summertime: The word conjures up image

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 Bob Baker, training manager AII-AIF. Whether you’re working in an auto shop, factory, plant, or any other industria

Malt. Mash. Boil. Ferment. No matter your favorite beer, it usually goes through some iteration of those four steps. People have consumed beer for thousands of years. Around 5,000 years ago, the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia drank beer as an alternative to the contaminated water they had access

Totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) motors are great for harsh environments such as petroleum, chemical and wastewater industries. But just because they’re made to work hard in tough settings doesn’t mean they can’t wear down, too. Without proper installation, operation and maintenance, TEFC motors c

CAN, or Controller Area Networking, is a great method for remote controlling and monitoring. When it comes to compressors, this system is ideal, because it keeps your machines in communication to ensure processes are running smoothly and any potential issues are identified before they cause problems

Zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, strawberries galore! Fresh fruits and vegetables are great to enjoy during the summer months, but they can also have a shorter shelf life when exposed to oxygen. Oxygen supports life. That’s why food spoils when exposed to oxygen. The natural microorganisms and enzymes

When it comes to compressors, there’s a lot more than meets the eye. The enclosed system contains numerous parts and features, each essential to proper function and exceptional efficiency. Even the smallest parts can make a big difference, especially when it comes to air quality. Industry professio

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 Steve Bruno, product marketing manager for oil-injected screw compressors. Flow profiles are a great way to gain in

Whether you call it VFD, frequency converter or inverter, VSD technology by any other name is just as efficient. On average, VSD compressors use about 35 percent less energy than their fixed-speed counter parts. But what does a 35 percent reduction in energy costs really look like? Well, that depend

Valves that don’t close all the way, poorly fitted connections, microscopic fissures in pipes…these are just a few places compressed air can sneak out of your system. And while it may not look like much, escaping air can add up. Just one quarter-inch air leak at 100 psi could cost more than $2,500 a

If you work with compressors, you probably know a lot about the terminology that goes with them. What about vacuum pumps? At first, it may seem like they are just the opposite of air compressors, removing air molecules from a space rather than compacting them. And they do — but this technology comes