Flow, also referred to as free air distribution (FAD), can be measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm), liters per second (l/s) or cubic meters per hour (m3/h) depending on the geographical position. In simpler terms, flow is the ability of the compressor to continue to execute a task within an appropriate time frame. The amount of flow required is determined by the length of time needed to complete the job. Let us look at the analogy of the wooden block to illustrate this further. Moving a wooden block at a certain distance per hour would require less flow which can be done with a smaller compressor and storage tank. The compressor will be turned on and off and the holding tank will be refilled by the next time the wooden block needs to be relocated. However, if the wooden block needs to be pushed continuously within a specified timeframe, a greater supply of air (or CFM) with a constant flow would be required, requiring a larger compressor.,If the flow is not adequate, the mechanism will need regular breaks as the compressor builds up the pressure in the reserve tank, suggesting that the compressor could be undersized.
At the end of the day, when you are trying to provide enough compressed air for a given application, it is necessary to calculate the volume of compressed air flow (CFM) needed at the precise pressure (PSI) required for the device to perform properly.
One way to calculate the overall flow needed is to contact the manufacturer of the compressed air equipment and request the data sheets for the details requested. However, the easiest way to calculate precise flow is to do a “compressed air audit” that can be conducted by a compressed air sales specialist. It is necessary to bear in mind that rotary screw air compressors appear to produce more flow per kW or HP than piston air compressors.
To sum up, the strain (PSI) is determined by the work you perform, while the flow (CFM) will include an understanding of how long the work needs to be completed, or how many jobs you do at the same time. It is crucial to realize that the compressor size can result in a decrease in pressure and an inability to complete a job, thus oversizing the unit will lead to future technical issues and eventual compressor failure. If you are not sure how to size your new compressor for current or future applications, please ask a compressed air sales professional for an evaluation.
For more information about Air Compressor Malaysia, please visit https://www.ldckomp.com.my/
