How to choose a compressor?

FINI boasts one of the most comprehensive compressor ranges on the market. But before you choose which one is right for you, you need to ask yourself a few simple questions:

Piston compressors are perfect for small to medium air volumes and high intermittency, thus for craft, professional and DIY applications.

Rotary screw compressors, on the other hand, are suitable for larger air volumes and offer excellent coverage of both variable and constant compressed air requirements with very high efficiency, thus for industrial and professional applications.

Scroll compressors are industrial compressors specifically for all applications requiring completely oil-free operation, such as the food industry.

Start by defining the pressure required for the specific application: each tool and device lists the minimum pressure required for proper operation and compressed air requirements.

Compressed air consumption can be calculated in different ways: if you already have a compressor and a tank, we recommend the following procedure.

Just count how many seconds it takes the pressure to drop by a certain value in the tank (with the compressor NOT running) and apply the formula:

“N” is the consumption in litres/minute we are looking for, “V” is the tank capacity in litres, “dP” is how much the pressure has dropped in bar (just look at the pressure gauge, choose 2 bar for easy visualisation) and “t” is the time in seconds. The ideal piston compressor for this consumption must have taken in air equal to or greater than the Q-value, which is calculated as follows:

In case of complex applications consult one of our specialists. Furthermore, for industrial and professional applications, with Fini ‘EATool’ it is possible to carry out an energy audit to understand what improvements can be implemented at the company (compressor model to be installed, with the most suitable power to meet the specific production process).

First, this identifies the pressure required for the desired application, which may vary depending on the type of compressor and the intended uses. For example, if you wish to inflate tyres or use pneumatic tools, you must check what the recommended operating pressure is for such devices.

The choice depends on the specific requirements of the application and on efficiency and compressed air quality considerations.

The oil-free compressor is ideal for clean, contaminant-free air, but also for applications where lubrication could compromise the function of components and in the food industry. On the other hand, the compressor with oil is recommended in applications with a high workload. In these cases, the oil serves to reduce wear on moving parts, improve efficiency and dissipate heat generated during operation.

All Fini compressors are designed with the utmost attention to noise reduction.

In particular, noise reduction in the silenced, screw and scroll ranges is achieved by enclosing the machine in a soundproof cabinet with special sound-absorbing panels, taking care of ventilation. These compressors distinguish themselves on the market by having the lowest noise level in their class.

The capacity of the tank must be assessed according to your needs, taking into account the capacity of the compressor. Generally speaking, a volume in litres equal to at least one third of the compressor’s air flow is considered (e.g.: flow rate 1500 l/min – tank volume 500 l).

Perfect for small to medium air flow rates with high intermittency, e.g. inflating, blowing, nailing, airbrushing, washing.

Suitable for higher flow rates, provide an excellent coverage of compressed air demand, both variable and constant needs, as well as extremely high efficiency levels.

The SCROLL rotary system is a proven technology developed to compress air in the absolute absence of oil.