Oil-free compressors prevent lubricating oil from contaminating compressed air, producing clean and dry air for applications that require it. Lubrication is still necessary for moving parts, but the oil is kept in the machine. Oily residues can compromise the quality of work in applications such as painting a car. Maintenance, including changing the lubricating oil, is necessary to avoid damage to the compressor.
An oil-free compressor is just one of the many types of compressors available. It works in the same way as a standard air compressor and can also look very similar on the outside; internally, however, it contains special gaskets designed to keep the essential lubricating oil away from the compressed air. The moving parts inside the compressor require lubrication to reduce friction. Lubrication is essential in adequate quantities, regardless of the type of compressor, in order to prevent parts failure. The term oil-free refers to the air produced by the compressor, not the machine itself.
Some models of compressors, mainly older ones, have a small defect. This flaw is that compressed air tends to become contaminated with very small amounts of lubricating oil. As with most inventions, air compressor design has steadily improved over time to eliminate these flaws. The oil-free compressor is designed to prevent compressor oil from coming into contact with the compressed air. This process produces clean, dry air without contamination, which is a requirement in some applications.
Not so long ago, air compressors were prone to producing air with small amounts of oily residue. With the invention of the oil-free compressor, however, oily residues are no longer a problem. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that all moving parts need some sort of lubrication. Today’s ingenuity keeps the oil out of the compressed air and in the machine where it belongs. While some applications, such as air tools, benefit from certain amounts of lubrication, other applications are adversely affected when the air is contaminated with oil, even in small amounts.
To better understand the significance of the oil-free compressor, consider specific examples of the frustration or negative effects that oily residues can cause. For example, during bodywork such as painting a car, the quality of the work can be compromised, resulting in inferior results, if tiny drops of oil get mixed into the paint. The main undesirable result is that the paint doesn’t stick to the oil. Therefore, uncontaminated air is essential for these types of applications.
Sometimes, the compressor may need to be serviced. This may involve changing the lubricating oil. Similar to changing the oil in a car, this maintenance must be done periodically to avoid serious damage to the oilless compressor. Lubrication is essential whenever moving parts are involved.
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