Category Archives: Dental Compressor

Dental Compressor

The Prototype to the Air Compressor: Bellows

No period in human history has seen as much technological development as the 20th century. During the first half of that century alone, people witnessed the introduction of automobiles, aircraft and countless products sold in stores that hail from factory assembly lines. The production for all of these things has largely been driven by compressed air, which has made it possible for workers at factories to assemble heavy, intricate items at speeds that would have been impossible a century before.

The history of air compressor use can be traced back thousands of years to when early civilizations discovered the power of the human lung. With its ability to exhale oxygen, the lung made it easier to build fires for cooking and keeping warm.

Sometime around 3000 B.C., developments were made in the branch of science known as metallurgy, which concerns the study of metal production. Among metalsmiths, it became apparent that hotter forms of air were needed to turn liquidized minerals like copper and gold into hard metals.

In light of the demands brought on by metal production, the limitations of the human lung became readily apparent. At its healthiest, the human lung is only capable of producing a fraction of the air pressure needed for cooling metal. Furthermore, lungs proved to be an unsuitable source for fire sustenance due to the carbon dioxide content in the air that humans exhale. Clearly, something more powerful and elaborate was needed for air production.

Bellows: The Prototype to the Air Compressor

The earliest man-made air device was the blowpipe, which metallurgists in Egypt used in the production of precious metals seen in ancient tombs. This was followed by manually operated bellows — the world’s first mechanical compressed air device. Consisting of a flexible bag, the device made compressed-air production a whole lot easier. The accordion-like device sucks air in through one side while extended, then pushes the air out through the other end when the handles are squeezed together.

Around 1500 B.C., the introduction of foot-operated bellows — safer to operate and without the strain factor to the arms and hands — allowed for a more practical way of producing air for metalworking. Bellows remained the standard in compressed air production for the next two millenniums. Even though bellows bear little resemblance to the modern-day oilless air compressor, they were capable of sustaining fires with enough heat to meld iron ores. Today, bellows are still used in certain applications, including breathing devices used in hospitals.

Dental Compressor

TheType of Fluid Used in Air Compressor

It is not uncommon for five horsepower air compressor pricing to range from less than $750 to near $2000. The difference can be measured in compressor life, sometimes as short as 2000 hours versus 40 years for a heavy duty pressure lubricated compressor. While the upfront cost is attractive, it would seem the maintenance would involve throwing away the lesser air compressor every year or so and replacing it with a new machine. Even if it were planned to keep the air compressor and perform a rebuild, it may not be possible with less costly air compressors.

The consumption of special parts and oil also must be considered in the cost of ownership. It is typical for manufacturers of rotary screw dental air compressors to provide a long-life synthetic fluid to enhance the performance of the air compressor. Synthetic oils will last from 4000 hours to an indefinite period before requiring a change-out.

Depending on the type of fluid used, special handling and disposal might be required. For example, normal motor oil, which is rarely used in any type of air compressor, can be easily discarded without being considered a hazardous waste. Automatic transmission fluid, which will last about twice as long and reflects that in its price, can similarly be disposed of fairly simply. Both types of fluid are collected routinely by oil recyclers to be re-blended.

Synthetic fluids and blends, however, sometimes require special handling for proper disposal. Ester and olefin type fluids must be identified and require special disposal in some municipalities. It is best to check before buying to ensure all costs are factored.

Other types of fluid are considered to be biodegradable, and thus suitable for disposal in a sewer system. Such fluids, polyalkeneglycol or polyglycol, should have a certificate from the manufacturer that states the fluid’s biodegradability.

Other specialty chemicals like silicon blends or pure silicon represent another disposal issue and should be disclosed prior to purchase. Note that the more features a fluid has, like long life and high temperature stability, the more expensive it will be to buy and discard.

By carefully selecting an air compressor that has a balance between long service life and parts cost, it is possible to save even more money over the life of the equipment. Also, by weighing the maintenance requirements, the impact of waste filters and fluid can be managed as well. Less cost and less waste is better for the economy and ultimately is better for the environment.

Dental Compressor

Different Types of Dental Compressor Filter

Dental air compressors are devices that draw atmospheric air into a compression head where it is pressurized and stored in a tank or reservoir for later use. Common uses of the compressed air include driving pneumatic tools, spray painting, or sand blasting. Unfortunately, compressors draw all contaminants present in the air into the system as well. An accumulation of condensation is also an unavoidable by-product of the air compression cycle. Lubricating oil from the compressor head also finds its way into the stored air and, along with dust and moisture, can play havoc with sensitive tools, hoses, or sprayed paint.

Compressor filters are devices used on air compressors to filter dirt particles from the intake air supply, to remove contaminants from the compressor lubricating oil, and to trap moisture in the compressed output air flow. Intake air and oil filters generally feature cassette-type inserts made of cellulose, felted material or woven fabrics. Water filters generally consist of a glass bowl and filter element that separate condensate from the compressed air. The bowls have a drain cock on the bottom to periodically remove all of the trapped water. Compressors of all types benefit significantly from the inclusion of all compressor filter types, and, consequently, a regular inspection of these elements will ensure the longevity of the compressor and the integrity of the compressed air supply.

The most effective way of removing a significant volume of these contaminants is the use of a compressor filter. These devices fall into three basic categories that address all of the common contaminant issues experienced with compressed air systems. The first of these categories are the family of intake air filters. Typically consisting of a cassette type insert in a closed cylinder, these devices are placed in the compressor’s intake air line, where they remove most airborne dust particles. These filter elements are generally made of woven fabrics, cellulose fiber, or felted materials.

The second type of compressor filter is the moisture filter or trap. These filters consist of a filter element in a glass bowl. The structure of the filter causes a cyclonic internal flow pattern, which separates most of the condensate from the compressor’s output air. The water collects in the bowl where it is later drained using a small valve on its bottom section. Combination compressor filter models that remove leached lubrication oil and water are also available.

The last type of compressor filter is a standard oil filter that ensures the compressor’s lubrication oil is kept free of contaminants. These are also cassette-type filters that have specialized core elements similar to an automobile oil filter. The longevity of the compressor mechanism, hoses, and all of the equipment that it drives, as well as the quality of spray paint jobs completed with compressed air, can be enhanced considerably by having these filters in place. For this reason, these filters should be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if worn or defective.

Dental Compressor

The Economics of Owning a Compressed Air System

Compressed air systems form the backbone of industrial manufacturing, are an essential component of medical facilities and are even responsible for keeping commercial food services running. Needless to say, many of the things that Americans have come to take for granted are only possible with the assistance of compressed air.

Compressed air systems provide consistent, responsive power to end-use applications. This power is essential for production plant operations who are looking to keep their employees productive while ensuring that they can complete operations safely and efficiently.

In many ways, the question of whether to replace or repair a compressed air system can be expressed as a mathematical problem. In other words, at which point does the money saved from a new system offset the cost of its purchase?

Luckily, many people have crunched the numbers on this question and have provided a nice basic framework for deciding which approach makes the most sense for your business.

According to PneumaticTips, it’s important to remember that, if you consider the overall cost of ownership of a compressed air system, assuming a ten-year life for the system, the purchase cost only accounts for about 12% of the total. Furthermore, 76% of the cost of owning a compressed air system comes in the form of electricity bills.
To put this in perspective, if you continuously run a 100-hp compressor at full power, you will spend $74,000 a year in energy costs, assuming a rate of 10 cents per kWh.

Therefore, if you are assessing the value of your compressed air system and making your decision in purely economic terms, you need to keep the total cost of ownership in the forefront of your mind. While the cost of repairs may be significantly less than the cost of replacing your system, ask yourself if you’re keeping a system working that’s actually costing you more in the long run by operating less efficiently.

These costs come in many different forms. First, as compressors age, the costs of repairs increase. That’s why you should carefully consider any repair that costs over 50% of the cost of a comparable replacement. But you also need to consider the operational inefficiencies and the subsequent costs of an older dental air compressor. Because of how inefficient some older models are, you may be wasting as much money on energy costs as you would spend on a new compressor.

Dental Compressor

The Information about Oilless Air Compressor

Each dental tool you use has a specific pressure requirement for it to function properly. Look at the tools you have to see their pressure requirements, typically listed and measured in BAR. For many dental applications, like handheld tools, you’ll see around a five BAR requirement.

Aim a little higher than the BAR minimum so you can ensure you’ve got enough pressure when the compressor is powering multiple stations, or to compensate for any possible pressure drops across your piping.

If you’re trying to run tools with too little pressure, you can cause damage to the tool and possibly harm to your patients. When working with drills, drops in pressure can reduce its capability and fail to drill or cut as needed, making it take longer to treat patients — which increases the cost of your staff hours, anesthetic and even utility costs per patient.

Because you’re working with an oilless air compressor, you may also face louder compression cycles. The good news is that most dental offices are using compressors small enough to be fitted with filter silencers, significantly reducing the noise your unit will make.

Silencers can make sure the environment stays enjoyable for your patients and staff, so they can continue to operate without any safety dental equipment and so that you’re not creating an environment with any long-term risks related to your use of compressed air.

Oilless air compressor also tend to generate higher heat outputs and have a greater possibility of creating condensation, so they need plenty of room to vent and have air circulate around them. This is typically good news, because it means there is usually enough space to install silencers and covers which can reduce noise, while ensuring the proper breathing room for a full-functioning air compressor.

Sound covers and exhaust/vent silencers tend to come with their own warranty, so working with a reputable dealer can ensure your equipment is properly installed, maintained, and protected for its useful life.

You should also look at the construction of the unit itself. Ask your air compressor dealer about improvements to intake filters to reduce noise, the inclusion of rubber shock mounts and flatter frame options that can keep things steady and quiet during even extended operations.

Dental Compressor

The Importance of Dental Air Compressor

Among all of the dental equipment that you will need in your dental office, there are a few select items that you simply cannot go without. Dental air compressors are essential for performing some of the most routine tasks in dentistry.

About 74% of adults believe that an unattractive smile can hurt their career success, and 100% of dentists should know that they cannot restore a smile without the right kind of equipment. One of the most basic and essential tools for dentists is a dental air compressor. When investing in dental air compressors, you need to evaluate the specific needs of your office. Oil-free compressors require very little maintenance and are less expensive than lubricated compressors, but you may be inclined to opt for lubricated versions for a variety of reasons.

Between silent, mini, and oil free models, the selection of dental air compressors is both widespread and vast. As modern technology advances and as the options of dental air compressors expand, selecting and purchasing a new model can seem somewhat overwhelming. Information on choosing the right compressor is somewhat scarce but there are a few important factors that dentists should always consider before investing in a new machine. Dental air compressors can be a costly addition to an operatory; thus making it vital for buyers to take an ample amount of time to research and select the proper model for one’s practice.

Dentists in search of a new dental air compressor can begin by searching for models with oil-free reliability. Oil and dentistry simply do not mix. Every operatory requires compressed air to function and operate. However, if the air a dentist uses to run their practice has poor quality, the effects can be extremely detrimental. Having unclean air can negatively impact not only the patient- but the staff, dentist, various procedures and operating costs as well. Compressors which require oil lubrication are consistently adding oil vapor to the stream of compressed air that is released.

Even if the compressor is top of the line, it is impossible for it to filter out all of the oil from the air. The vapor from the oil will eventually negatively impact dental instruments, components and tools as they become clogged and damaged over time. This can result in costly maintenance updates and repairs. Also, much like a vehicle, dental air compressors which use oil require routine oil changes as they steadily expel oil overtime. This can be time consuming to the dentist as oil levels must be checked on a regular basis. By selecting a model with an oil-free compressor, you can eliminate these problems and save both time and money over time.