Compressed Air Archives

How to choose the right air compressor for your facility

Written by Tami Matthews on August 10, 2022. Posted in Air compressors, Automotive, Compressed Air, Countertop, Distribution, Manufacturing, Metalworking, Woodworking. Leave a Comment

Air compressors are needed equipment for many industrial, construction, and manufacturing companies. It’s the source of energy that runs your production. And be it a workshop or construction site, the right kind of air compressor can make or break your project.

Finding the right air compressor for your job is a balance between a fair price and enough power to ensure high-quality work. The most important factor to consider when selecting an air compressor is your usage.

Certain jobs require a heavy-duty air compressor, while others would benefit from a lightweight, portable system. If you’re using more power than your air compressor supplies, regular breaks will be required throughout the job to compensate.

Along with your usage, you should consider the following factors when selecting an air compressor.

1. Tank size

The duration of time that you’ll be using the compressor dictates the size of your air compressor tank. Longer operations require larger tank sizes.

2. Oil or oil-free compressors

Some air compressors use oil to lubricate and cool the compressed air. These compressors are more suitable in industrial settings, rather than medical or culinary settings. Consider the air quality needed at your facility before deciding whether you need an oil compressor or an oil-free compressor.

3. CFM

Cubic feet per minute, or CFM, is how air compressors are rated. It’s crucial to estimate the CFM required in your facility to select the appropriate air compressor. At Elevated Industrial Solutions, we never recommend more power than you need or can handle.

4. Portability

In some places, such as large, established manufacturing plants, stationary air compressors are fine and could be even preferable. But for some jobs, including construction and the use of pneumatic tools (such as drills and wrenches) you may need mobile compressors.

5. Sound level

At job sites that require effective communication, quieter air compressors would be the better choice. The loudest air compressors can produce a volume of 90 decibels, which is difficult to communicate over. It’s also hard on human hearing, even with hearing protection (which would be necessary).

Get a trusted partner to help

At Elevated, we have 35+ years of experience recommending compressed air systems for various environments – from hospitals to dental facilities to automotive manufacturing plants.

If you’re unsure which air compressor to choose for your facility, reach out to us. We’ll survey your site, talk about your needs, and then recommend something to keep your facility up and running while doing the jobs you need to do.

emergency service for your air compressor signs

Signs your air compressor may need emergency service

Written by Tami Matthews on May 10, 2022. Posted in Air compressors, Compressed Air, Compressed Air. Leave a Comment

Your air compressor needs to be working properly for efficient, productive operations. However, routine, professional maintenance is essential to keeping your compressor in excellent condition.

Of course, there are signs your compressor needs preventive maintenance. The following air compressor signs are dire and may indicate you need more extensive service or even emergency service.

Declining or abnormal air pressure

If you notice that your compressor is frequently providing inconsistent air pressure, or if the air pressure has sharply declined, you need to call a technician. Inconsistent air pressure indicates that your compressor’s parts may be succumbing to wear and tear.

Decreasing air pressure, on the other hand, is a sign that you may have an air leak. An air leak will force your machine to use more energy to run, leading to higher energy bills. A skilled technician can locate and fix the leak to restore your machine’s energy efficiency.

Noisier

Although air compressors tend to be loud while running, if your compressor is making more noise than usual, it probably needs to be serviced. A loud air compressor may have loose parts, be poorly mounted, or have crankcase issues.

Moving more

Air compressors vibrate. But some compressors can vibrate so much that they’re nosier and shake. A vibration analysis can help determine what’s going on and why. If your compressor is moving more than usual, it’s a good time to call for service.

Overheating

The average air compressor’s optimal operating temperature range is 50℉ to 85℉. If your air compressor becomes very hot while operating or even shuts down from overheating, you should schedule a maintenance visit ASAP. Overheating can significantly damage your air compressor.

Hard to start

A brand-new air compressor should power up immediately or almost immediately. If your compressor now takes a long time to power up, you should have it looked at by a professional. Taking a long time to turn on can indicate that the air compressor is starting to break down.

Elevated can service your compressor

Don’t panic. Our trained expert team can help with any compressed air issue you have. For those emergencies, we’re available 24 X 7 in Ohio, South Carolina, and Michigan.

Kaeser’s Sigma Air Manager 4.0

Written by Tami Matthews on April 23, 2022. Posted in Air compressors, Compressed Air, Compressed Air. Leave a Comment

We’ve heard it before – you’re doing everything you can to save money on compressed air energy, but it’s not working. You’re purchasing energy-efficient compressed air system equipment yet your energy costs aren’t as low as they could be or maybe even should be. Compressed air systems are comprised of a lot of different equipment which can idle when they aren’t needed. Even though your equipment is energy-efficient your compressor, blower, dryer, etc. are all reacting to the needed output demanded.

There’s another piece of equipment that could help.

Introducing the Kaeser Sigma Air Manager 4.0 (aka SAM 4.0)

The award-winning Kaeser Sigma Air Manager 4.0 (SAM 4.0) efficiently gives you more air for less money while increasing productivity. SAM 4.0 has adaptive controls, predictive maintenance, data storage, and analysis – all while maintaining a reliable, consistent, and efficient supply of compressed air. It’s a device that works with your entire system, but also provides a display to enable you to understand how it’s controlling your system.

Management of your entire compressed air system

Kaeser’s Sigma Air Manager 4.0 ties in all of your compressed air system equipment including compressors, blowers, and vacuums into a secure Sigma network. That control into one device enables you to manage your entire facility or industrial plant.

Because it controls the entire system, you’ll have steady pressure, energy savings, and efficient use of air!

Messaging and maintenance

In addition, built into SAM 4.0 is a predictive maintenance reminder and messaging abilities. The device communicates exactly what maintenance needs to be performed and when you should do it. No more mind-reading! That functionality obviously makes it easier for you to schedule maintenance, prepare your workforce for maintenance, and get service technicians on the calendar. It also makes it easier for your compressed air service technicians to keep you up and running, eliminating downtime.

These built-in features ensure you never miss preventative maintenance, maximize efficiency, and maximize the life of your compressor and equipment.

Easy-to-use touchscreen technology

SAM 4.0 features a user-friendly 12-inch color touchscreen, which means it’s fairly easy to use. The home screen shows real-time operating status, power consumption, pressure history, flow, and error messages. This data can be accessed anytime and anywhere, giving total control to the facility manager.

Ready to use SAM 4.0?

Are you ready to get steady pressure, receive communication about issues and reports on analytics, and save money on energy? Our Michigan, South Carolina, northern Ohio (near Toledo), and southwestern Ohio (near Cincinnati and Dayton) teams can install SAM and get you up and running. We’ll conduct training to ensure you understand what you’re seeing, too. Plus, we can maintain your system and be there if SAM communicates any issues – 24 x 7, 365 days a year.

Michigan air compressors and more

Written by Tami Matthews on February 17, 2022. Posted in Automotive, Compressed Air. Leave a Comment

Hello, Motor City! Elevated Industrial Solutions is in Madison Heights, near Detroit, Michigan. There, we’re an air compressor distributor as well as a premier service provider for the state of Michigan.

Quality compressed air products

We’re a Kaeser distributor. That means we provide all makes and models of Kaeser air compressors and related equipment. From oil-free to mobile machines, you can count on us to recommend products for your particular needs.

Top-notch compressed air service

We also service all major compressor brands, including Kaeser, Ingersoll Rand, Atlas Copco, Gardner Denver, FS-Curtis, Sullair, Sulzer, Bostitch, Campbell Hausfeld, Dewalt, and more.

Among the offerings we have, we give an energy analysis to determine your compressed air requirements, provide recommendations to scale your business, conduct leak audits, give an air demand analysis, and maintain your compressor. We’re even available for emergencies – 24 x 7, 365 days a year.

Variety of compressed air customers

We’ve been serving a wide variety of customers since we started back in 1984. Because we’re near Detroit, you can imagine we have a lot of automotive-related customers – electric vehicles (EV), hybrids, and gas-powered. But we also help other industries: industrial, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, mining, construction, building, and many more.

Go beyond compressors

Elevated even goes beyond compressors to provide industrial supplies and coating and finishing equipment, nationwide … including Michigan.

If you’re ready for an “elevated” experience, contact us! We’d be happy to help whether you need a compressor, air compressor service, abrasives, adhesives, tapes, safety gear, saw blades, tools, spray systems, industrial spray booths, or anything else.

Kaeser compressors

Written by Tami Matthews on February 2, 2022. Posted in Air compressors, Automotive, Compressed Air, Compressed air systems. Leave a Comment

Elevated Industrial Solutions has been distributing Kaeser compressor products since the 1980s in various locations – Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina. We began based on a partnership with a premier brand – Kaeser.

We provide information about ourselves regularly. But … how much do you know about Kaeser?

How is Kaeser pronounced?

If you’re new to Kaeser and you’re in the U.S., chances are pretty good you wouldn’t know how to say it correctly. The company and the compressor brand are pronounced: kay·zr. (It rhymes with laser.)

Yes, it’s German.

History of Kaeser

Carl Kaeser Sr. started the company as a machine workshop in Germany in 1919. Originally, the company was created to manufacture spare parts for cars, especially gears. Over the years it transformed a few times to manufacture more things, including air compressors.

The 1970s was a productive decade for Kaeser. In 1978, Kaeser expanded globally, starting in Switzerland. The 70s was also when they created their rotary screw air compressor. With its reputation for German engineering, soon the company expanded into the U.S. In 1982, Kaeser opened up its headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It also quickly expanded products with the popularity of its air compressors, known as the gold standard in industrial plants and facilities.

Today, Kaeser is in Europe and North America, but also Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. That’s nearly every continent!

Kaeser provides a variety of air compressor options

Even among industrial facilities, different companies need different air compressors. Kaeser makes a variety to handle power, environment, and more. They even provide mobile options, oil-free, and other equipment to make your compressed air system more effective and efficient.

See Kaeser Options

Elevated partners with you and Kaeser

We’re proud of our long partnership with Kaeser and are an authorized dealer in Northern and Southern Ohio (from Toledo to Cincinnati), Michigan, and South Carolina. We can recommend equipment to make your facility more efficient and effective while potentially offering energy rebates. Plus, we can service every major brand of compressor, including but not limited to Kaeser. We’re even available for scheduled preventive maintenance as well as 24 x 7 for emergencies.