May 24, 2005 -- When the challenge for any successful manufacturer is keeping up with demand, all industrial equipment must operate at maximum potential in order to capitalize fully on sales opportunities. For this reason, plant engineers and operations managers within the burgeoning wood-products industry are increasingly turning to direct-drive electric air compressors to power their tools for longer durations with greater reliability.
“ Our building processes are automated, and we have an air compressor on each of four separate production lines to supply the air cylinders that position woodworking tools such as routers and saw... ”
Such is the case for Bayer Built Woodworks, Inc. of Belgrade, Minnesota¾a 2-step manufacturer and distributor of millwork, selling to almost 900 building-product retailers in six states. The company's wood offerings include pre-hung interior and exterior doors, wood moldings, stair parts, architectural columns and shelving, as well as storage and entry systems.
"Our building processes are automated, and we have an air compressor on each of four separate production lines to supply the air cylinders that position woodworking tools such as routers and saws" says Cory Bayer, maintenance team leader. "We also use air to power our staplers and nail guns, and we have a 40-horsepower compressor that runs the paint spray guns and air sanders in the pre-finish shop."
Yet, this high demand for air finally overtaxed the factory's existing compressors.
"We used to use regular piston compressors when our volume was less, so it didn't matter that they could only run 60-70% of the time," recalls Bayer. "But as our business grew we needed an http://www.palatek.com [air compressor system that would run all the time, for up to 12 hours a day. So we switched over to the Sullivan-Palatek screw-type compressors because they are more heavy duty and reliable enough to run the long hours that we needed."
Sullivan-Palatek, of Michigan City, Indiana, manufacturers a line of direct-drive rotary-screw air compressor systems that allow woodworking industries to profit from greater reliability and energy savings in their pressurized-air operations. The increased reliability of this design stems from the use of larger air-end assemblies, which results in slower turning rotors that yield extended service life and higher pressure using lower horsepower. Extra efficiency results from use of a direct-drive rotary screw that eliminates unnecessary moving parts such as belts, gears and pulleys—thus reducing the parasitic losses attributed to belts (4-8% loss) and gears (3-5%).
“I can't remember when we've ever had a Sullivan-Palatek unit break down," notes Bayer. "I would definitely recommend the use of these direct drive compressors to other woodworking operations."
Established in 1984, Sullivan-Palatek manufactures industrial equipment such as electric and diesel driven high performance rotary screw air compressors, along with a complete line of accessory items that include air dryers, filters, remediation systems and construction air tools.
