Can an air compressor be used on several machines at the same time?

The air compressor can supply air to multiple machines at the same time, but the specific number of equipment that can be supported depends onAir compressor displacement, pressure, pipeline design and equipment gas demand。The following is an analysis from four aspects: key factors, calculation methods, optimization plans and actual cases:

1. Key factors affecting the air supply capacity of air compressors

1. Exhaust volume (flow)
   • defined: Volume of compressed air output by the air compressor per unit time (unit: m³/min or L/s).
   • impact: If the total air consumption exceeds the air compressor exhaust volume, it will cause insufficient equipment air pressure, affect operating efficiency and even shut down.
   • case: The air compressor displacement of a certain factory is 3m³/min. If the total air consumption of 3 pneumatic drilling rigs running at the same time is 4m³/min, additional air compressors need to be provided or air consumption optimized.
2. exhaust pressure
   • defined: The compressed air pressure output by the air compressor (unit: MPa or bar).
   • impact: If the pressure required by the equipment is higher than the output pressure of the air compressor, it needs to be solved through a booster device or adjusting equipment parameters.
   • case: The equipment in a spraying workshop requires a pressure of 0.7MPa. If the output pressure of the air compressor is only 0.5MPa, a higher pressure model needs to be replaced or an additional air storage tank needs to be added.
3. pipeline design
   • pipe diameter: Too small the pipe diameter will lead to increased pressure drop and insufficient air pressure at the end equipment. The pipe diameter needs to be calculated based on the total flow and the allowable pressure drop (for example, DN50 pipe can support a flow rate of about 5m³/min).
   • layout: Too many or too long branch pipes will increase the pressure drop, and the layout needs to be optimized (such as using an annular pipe network or shortening the length of branch pipes).
   • case: Due to unreasonable pipeline layout in an electronics factory, the air pressure of the end equipment was 0.2MPa lower than the output of the air compressor, which was later solved by shortening the length of the branch pipes.
4. Equipment gas characteristics
   • instantaneous air consumption: For example, pneumatic presses, cylinders and other equipment consume much more air than the average at the moment of action, and the air compressor needs to have the ability to quickly replenish air.
   • Gas consumption time: If the gas consumption time of the equipment is staggered (such as running in shifts), the simultaneous gas consumption can be reduced.
   • case: An auto parts factory increased the number of equipment simultaneously supported by the air compressor from 5 to 8 by adjusting the equipment operation shift.

2. Calculate the number of equipment that the air compressor can support

1. step
   • Statistics equipment air consumption: Check the equipment manual or measure the average air consumption of a single equipment (such as a pneumatic chuck of 0.5m³/min).
   • Calculate total air consumption: Add the air consumption of all equipment (for example, the total air consumption of 8 equipment is 4m³/min).
   • Compare air compressor displacement: If the air compressor displacement is 5m³/min, it can be supported; if it is 3m³/min, optimization or addition is needed.
   • Consider margin: It is recommended that the air compressor exhaust volume be 10%-20% greater than the total air consumption to cope with peak demand or air leakage losses.
2. formula
   • Number of supported devices = air compressor displacement (m³/min)/average air consumption of a single equipment (m³/min) × adjustment factor (0.8-0.9).
   • case: The air compressor displacement is 4m³/min, the air consumption of a single equipment is 0.5 m ³/min, and the adjustment factor is 0.8, so the number of equipment that can be supported = 4 / 0.5 × 0.8 = 6.4 units (rounded up to 6 units).

3. Plans to optimize the air compressor supply capacity

1. Add air storage tanks
   • role: Buffer air fluctuations, reduce frequent start-up and shut-down of air compressors, and extend life.
   • case: After adding a 1m³ air storage tank to a food factory, the operating time of the air compressor was reduced by 30%, and the number of supported equipment was increased by 2 units.
2. Adopt frequency conversion air compressor
   • advantages: Automatically adjust the gas production according to the gas consumption to save energy and avoid pressure fluctuations.
   • case: After a textile factory replaced its fixed-frequency air compressor with a frequency conversion model, it saved 25% of electricity per year, and the number of supported equipment stabilized at 10 units.
3. Optimize pipeline layout
   • measures: Shorten the length of the main pipe, reduce branches, adopt large pipe diameters, and install automatic drain valves.
   • case: After optimizing the pipeline in a machinery factory, the pressure drop dropped from 0.15MPa to 0.05MPa, making the equipment operation more stable.
4. Time-division operation of equipment
   • strategy: Arrange equipment with large gas consumption to operate at different time periods to reduce peak demand.
   • case: A hardware factory operates pneumatic presses in shifts, and the number of equipment supported by air compressors has increased from 4 to 6.

4. Practical case reference

1. Case 1: Auto parts processing factory
   • scene: 8 CNC lathes (each with air consumption of 0.5 m ³/min) and 2 pneumatic presses (each with air consumption of 1m³/min) are running simultaneously.
   • solutions: Select a screw air compressor with a displacement of 6m³/min and add a 1.5 m ³ air storage tank to meet all equipment needs.
2. Case 2: Electronic component assembly line
   • scene: 15 pneumatic screwdrivers (each with air consumption of 0.1m³/min) and 3 pneumatic suction cups (each with air consumption of 0.2m³/min) are running simultaneously.
   • solutions: Select a scroll air compressor with a displacement of 2m³/min to stably support all equipment by optimizing pipeline layout and running in different periods.