AIR COMPRESSOR MAINTENANCE GUIDE: CHECKLISTS AND EXPERT ADVICE

Optimize your system's performance with our practical air compressor maintenance guide.

In countless applications, good habits impact not just every day life, but long term viability. This rings true for compressors as well.
Carrying out preventative maintenance on time with OEM parts is going to have a huge influence on the life of your compressor.
Not only will it ensure you get the best life out of your compressor, but it will also keep the efficiency of the compressor strong and help prevent costly downtime.

INSTALLATION

Before you start using a screw compressor, it is important to carry out a few fundamental steps.

Optimal installation is the fundamental prerequisite for maximizing performance, energy efficiency, and system longevity, while ensuring operational stability and safety.

It is ideal to have a compressor room, with adequate dimensions according to the type of machine that you need to install.

It is recommended to locate the compressor away from heat sources and dust, on a flat surface, in an aerated and clean place. You must pay attention to accessibility: there should be a free space of at least one meter on each side of the compressor. This allows easier and faster maintenance work as well as reducing risks of over-heating.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

It is widely known that a preventive maintenance program, using original parts, extends a compressor�s life cycle.

Why does maintenance matter?

REDUCED DOWNTIME: carrying out maintenance correctly is a fundamental aspect for preventing downtime, and the resulting losses and complications to production.
ENERGY SAVING: preventive maintenance helps compressors continuously perform at a high level; avoiding increasing energy costs due to higher system pressure drops generated by the wear-and-tear on components or the clogging of filters.
LIFE CYCLE: in order to guarantee a long life cycle, it is vital to carry out the maintenance plan provided by the manufacturer at the right time and using original parts.

When and how often should maintenance be performed?

To properly plan air compressor maintenance, it is essential to distinguish between two types of interventions necessary to preserve the system's functionality over time:

Routine maintenance: these are scheduled operations essential for keeping the compressor at maximum energy efficiency and preventing sudden breakdowns.
Extraordinary maintenance: includes repair or replacement of worn-out components, usually performed upon reaching a high number of operating hours.

Adopting a strategy based on both levels of intervention is essential for ensuring operational stability and a long service life for the entire system.

Every 2,000 h

Replace the oil filter element
Replace the coalescing filter element
Replace the air filter cartridge
Clean the intake pre-filter panel
Check the belt tension and tighten the pulley fixing screws
Check the tightness of electrical panel components
Blow out and clean the heat exchanger
Grease motor bearings

Every 8,000 h

Change the oil (synthetic)
Rebuild the intake valve using the spare parts kit
Rebuild the thermostatic valve using the spare parts kit
Rebuild the minimum pressure valve using the spare parts kit

Every 20,000 h

Replace the air-end bearings
Replace the air-end shaft seal

Who should carry out maintenance?

It is always best to rely on expert and qualified staff for ordinary and special maintenance.

What do you need to carry out maintenance?

It is best practice to use original spare parts for maintenance operations. In order to optimise logistics, it is recommended to use spare part kits designed specifically for the type of operations that need to be accomplished.
In fact, VMC caters for this type of need by giving you the possibility of buying “service-kits” for specific maintenance operations (for example: 8,000 hours routine service or rebuild the minimum pressure valve).
Service kits provide a cost-effective solution to purchase only what is actually necessary. With VMC spare part kits, you can count on genuine spare parts with an excellent quality-price ratio.

Learn more about VMC SPARE PART KITS

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