Small businesses have unique needs when it comes to selecting a workshop air compressor. Traditionally, piston compressors were the preference for smaller companies, but as sustainability and operating costs continue to be a growing concern, many small- to mid-size workshops find that a small rotary screw air compressor is a better choice as it will offer quieter, cleaner and less expensive operation.
With that in mind, this blog will analyze the key features of Atlas Copco’s G 2-7 and G 2-7 VSD (variable speed drive) rotary screw air compressors and how they cater to the special needs of small workshops and professional users.
Finding the Best Small Air Compressor for Your Needs
Initially many small professional compressor users choose a piston compressor, but as the company expands, these businesses eventually need to scale up their workshop air compressor so pneumatic tools and equipment can keep pace with the growing demand. This often means upgrading to a high-efficiency rotary screw air compressor because these small, quiet air compressors offer less noise, clean operation and less costly ownership over extended working periods.
When compared to a piston compressor, an oil-injected rotary screw air compressor offers immediate benefits in four key areas: duty cycle, cost of ownership, oil carry-over and noise level.
To compare, the maximum duty cycle for most piston compressors is 60% to 70% while oil-injected screw compressors offer a 100% duty cycle. The oil carry-over for a piston compressor is greater than 30 ppm, but is less than 5 ppm for an oil-injected screw compressor. The typical sound level of a piston compressor is 80-85 decibels, but is around 60 to 70 decibels for oil-injected screw compressors. And rotary screw air compressors – especially those with variable speed drive – offer lower total cost of ownership.
But, no matter the air compressor type, the best air small air compressor for workshop and professional users will provide the following advantages:
- Low cost of ownership and operation
- Highly efficient
- Quiet operation
- Reliability
- Clean production
- Accessible monitoring and control
- Simple installation and maintenance
The G 2-7 Rotary Screw Air Compressor Meets the Unique Needs of Small Businesses
Fortunately, Atlas Copco’s G 2-7 small rotary screw air compressor ticks all the above-mentioned boxes. Here’s how:
| Low cost of ownership/Energy efficiency | An IE3 premium efficiency motor lowers energy usage and operational costs. These rotary screw air compressors are also available with VSD technology to enhance efficiency and further reduce operational costs. |
| Efficiency | The patented screw element ensures a highly efficient compression process, providing high free-air delivery and effective performance and operation. |
| Quiet operation | The low-vibration screw element minimizes noise, allowing installation close to the point of use. |
| Reliability | Built for continuous use, the unit is designed to run reliably at ambient temperatures of up to 115F. The G 2-7 can run 24/7 without cool-down periods. In VSD models, the unit matches the motor speed to fluctuations in demand, resulting in less component wear. Gradual start up in VSD models also ensures less stress on key components and lower starting currents. |
| Clean production | With an oil carry over of less than 5 ppm, the G 2-7 limits the oil content in your air system to protect tools and equipment, as well as the quality of final products. A refrigerant dryer can be fully integrated to ensure dry, quality air without taking up additional space. |
| Monitoring and control | The G 2-7 rotary screw air compressor can be monitored and controlled remotely via the SMARTLINK app, which provides vital compressor information on a smartphone and alerts users to potential issues or inefficiencies. Compressor pressure, temperature, running hours and operational mode can be monitored from anywhere and leak detection programs can be used to uncover energy waste, optimizing the efficiency and reliability of the unit. |
| Simple installation and maintenance | The G 2-7 is available in multiple configurations, including floor or tank mounting and with or without an integrated dryer to fit any workshop. The small footprint and cooling air discharge from the top permit placement against a wall or in a corner. And, the main components, oil separator and filter are easily accessible for maintenance. |
These reliable and efficient compressors are available as 3 to 10 horsepower (hp) units, although workshops and small businesses may want to consider a 5 hp air compressor or 10 hp air compressor, as these are the most commonly used to power pneumatic tools and in equipment in small workshops.
To learn more about how the G 2-7 small, quiet air compressor can provide reliability, efficiency and ease of use to suit the needs of your small business or workshop, please contact the experts at HTE who can provide more details on the advantages of rotary screw air compressors, such as the Atlas Copco G 2-7.
