
Airmac Owner’s Manual
August 2006 © Glenco Manufacturing Pty Ltd Page 11 of 44
APPLICATION AND FUNCTION
Your Airmac air compressor is a single stage, oil lubricated, and air cooled reciprocating
type. It is typically supplied as a compact, self contained, air receiver tank mounted unit
that is automatically regulated and driven by an electric motor or internal combustion
engine.
The compressor is intended to provide compressed air in a multitude of applications, for
example, to power pneumatic tools, operate air dusters and spray guns, inflate tyres,
and supply air for pneumatic valves and actuators. It is commonly used as the primary
source of compressed air for home garages, workshops, service stations, tyre shops,
factories, farms, mobile service vehicles, and so on. Supplementary duties can include
furnishing compressed air at an isolated location not serviced by the regular shop air
system, and standby service when larger compressors are shut down.
Air discharged from an oil lubricated compressor typically contains small amounts of oil,
water and particulates amongst other contaminants. Virtually all applications require
treatment of the compressor’s output air to make it suitable for the end use. Air quality
treatments such as filtration and drying are the most common requirements together
with pressure regulation. The use of compressed air lubricators to protect pneumatic
tools is also commonplace nowadays. Failing to install appropriate compressed air
treatment equipment will likely result in damage to pneumatic machinery or spray
painted finishes.
Where installed, compressed air filtration and/or drying equipment should be located
downstream from the air receiver tank and ahead of any pressure regulator.
Lubricators, on the other hand, should be installed as the last stage of treatment and
located behind or downstream from any pressure regulator.
Please contact your Airmac dealer for specialist advice about compressed air treatment
products.
The basic principle of the compressor’s operation is as follows:
•On the downward suction stroke of the compressor pump piston, air at
atmospheric pressure enters the cylinder through the inlet air filter and the inlet
valve located in the cylinder head.
•On the upward compression stroke, the piston compresses the air to the final
discharge pressure and forces it out through the outlet valve in the cylinder
head, past the non-return valve and then into the air receiver tank.
The requisite power to drive the compressor pump is provided by the prime mover, i.e.
electric motor, petrol engine or diesel engine, through a V-belt transmission.