Most air tools require between 70 and 90 PSI. Any light-to-medium-duty air compressor can easily handle 90 PSI, but you always want the compressor to supply more flow than needed. A pneumatic stapler might just need 0.3 CFM, while a framing nailer may require 2.2 CFM. Continuous use tools need more air volume and therefore have a higher CFM requirement. A constantly spinning sander might have a CFM requirement of 8,, while a nail gun, which requires single bursts of air might have a lower CFM rating of 2.8.
If you’ve been in the air compressor industry for any length of time, you’re likely familiar with the acronyms PSI, CFM, and HP. These principles are essential in determining which size air compressor will fit your application – in fact, PSI, CFM, and HP are some of the most important elements to consider when selecting the best air compressor for your needs. In compressor terms, PSI is the amount of force that an air compressor can deliver. HP is not as important as pressure and flow in determining if your compressor will work for you, as newer & more efficient compressors can do more with less HP! Doing more with less HP will save you energy, as well as will give you larger returns throughout the life of the compressor.
To better understand the difference between PSI and CFM, let’s learn what PSI means and what CFM means. Even though the example used water to describe the relationship between CFM and PSI, the concept is the same with air. Both the examples above share how PSI relates to CFM. When using air compressors, it’s crucial to have a sufficient CFM to power air tools and enough PSI to give the air power.
While small, mobile at-home air compressors may deliver around 2 CFM, industrial air compressors with 200 HP can achieve air flow of around 1,000 CFM at 100 PSI. The Relationship Between Pressure and Flow. To do so effectively, air compressor operators must understand the relationship between CFM and PSI. In a compressed air system, the amount of pressure has a direct impact on the rate of flow. 100 CFM x 100 PSI = CFM x 80 PSI. 100 CFM x 100 PSI / 80 PSI = 125 CFM. 125 – 100 = 25 CFM. 25/4.5 = 5.5 HP. In this example, supplementing the existing compressor with a 7.5-HP compressor could effectively add volume and stabilize discharge pressure to the desired degree.
No matter your mobile air compressor application, big or small, it’s helpful to understand at least some of the science behind an air compressor system. Air pressure is measured in pounds per square inch or PSI, while air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. How psi and cfm work: PSI and CFM are the two operational standards for measuring pressure within an air compressor, and the key measurements that operators must consider when sizing a compressor to a specific application. Let’s say you have a compressor that doesn’t have the CFM you know you need for your application and want to figure out how much more horsepower you’ll need to generate that needed volume.
If you were to blow air onto a piece of paper, the PSI would be the paper’s pressure, and the CFM would be the volume of the air you were blowing out. Breakers can range from 49 to 91 CFM, spikes are around 73 CFM, rock drills can be anywhere from 46.6 to 129 CFM, and chipping hammers generally won’t exceed 32 CFM. If you only use one tool at a time, your compressor should generate enough CFM for your tool with the highest CFM requirements. If you plan to use a 55 CFM spike and a 100 CFM rock drill simultaneously, your compressor should have an output of at least 155 CFM. For more questions about CFM’s, compressors, or pneumatic equipment, visit duranterentals.com or call 1-800-DURANTE today!
One key air compressor performance indicator is CFM. Not only do you need to understand CFM to choose the appropriate compressor for your application, but understanding your air compressor’s desired CFM is also essential to ensuring your entire compressed air system is running as it should. Here’s a basic introduction to what air compressor CFM is, what it means, and how you determine how much CFM you need from an air compressor. It’s good to remember that your air compressor’s CFM is related to its PSI. An air compressor’s CFM is measured at a specific PSI. If that pressure goes up or down, your CFM will change, too.
what is air compressor cfm Related Question:
What is a good CFM for air compressor?
Air tools made for general use with portable air compressors typically require 0 to 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 70 to 90 pounds per square inch (psi), whereas with larger tools connected to stationary systems, the requirements usually exceed 10 cfm at 100 to 120 psi.
Is higher CFM better air compressor?
A compressor with a higher CFM rating can deliver more air and is better suited for heavier applications, such as operating air wrenches and framing nail guns.
How important is CFM to an air compressor?
CFM is cubic feet per minute, which indicates the compressor’s flow rate – or the amount of air that a compressor can produce at a given pressure level. Typically compressors that have higher CFM ratings are able to provide more air, which makes them ideal for larger applications.
What is the meaning of CFM air compressor?
Air pressure is measured in pounds per square inch or PSI, while air flow (also referred to as volume) is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM.
What size air compressor do I need for my garage?
For your home garage, a compressor size in the 2.6-gallon to 20-gallon range should do nicely. Sizing your compressor really depends on the type and number of air tools you intend to use.
How much CFM do I need?
How do you calculate CFM for a range hood? Determine the volume of your kitchen. Multiply that number by 15, the standard number of times a range hood should exchange all the air in your kitchen per hour. Divide that number by 60 to get the minimum cubic feet per minute for your hood.
What is a good size air compressor for home use?
For best results, use a compressor with a capacity of 5-6 CFM. Because you’ll be spraying nearly constantly, a larger, 10-gallon tank will keep you from waiting for the compressor to refill every few minutes.
Does tank size matter air compressor?
Tank size matters—sometimes The compressors we chose have tanks ranging from 1 to 6 gallons. A larger tank holds more air and will allow you to use more air before the pressure drops and the motor kicks on to refill the tank. That might let you avoid stopping work while the compressor refills the tank.
What can a 6 gallon air compressor do?
Craftsman’s 6-gallon air compressor produces up to 150 PSI of pressure with its 0.8-HP motor. With a refill rate of 2.6 CFM, this little electric air compressor quickly refills the 6-gallon tank to provide enough volume for demanding pneumatic tools like nail guns, wrenches, and air hammers.
How do I know what size air compressor I need?
Add together the cfm requirements of all the equipment/tools you plan to run at the same time. Increase this number by 20% to allow for additional tools, future growth and eventual air leaks. Determine the maximum pressure (PSIG) needed to run the equipment.
How big of an air compressor do I need to run an impact wrench?
The average size air compressor you need is a 4-5 CFM @90 PSI for a ½” impact wrench. For instance, an impact wrench with a 1″ drive will need a 10 CFM @90 PSI, a ½” drive will need a 4 CFM @90 PSI, and ⅜” will need a 3 CFM @90 PSI.
What size compressor Do I need to spray paint?
While some air spray guns have a rating of lower than 10 CFM, we’d recommend your compressor CFM for spray painting is at least 12 CFM.
What does 12 CFM mean?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is the air flow or air volume that a compressor can supply – or its output.
What is the difference between PSI and CFM?
The difference between PSI and CFM is what they measure. PSI measures pressure, while CFM measures volume. PSI and CFM are often used as performance specifications for air compressors and air-powered machinery. Together, they indicate the maximum air volume and pressure produced by an air compressor to power air tools.
How many horsepower is a CFM?
If you know how much horsepower your motor makes, you can estimate its air flow in cubic feet per minute (CFM). For example, a 1,600 cc motor in a good state of tune requires about 54 cubic feet per minute to make 78 horsepower.
