At 11:12 PM 2/2/2011, you wrote:
>I've been using a Dewalt 5.4CFM 15 gallon air compressor in the
>'assembly facility' for providing shop air for things like flux stone
>air in the wave solder machine.  I chose this one in particular because
>it was 'oil free' - that is, I didn't have to worry about the compressor
>oil leaking around the piston rings and making it into the flux and the
>like.
>
>It looks like with the near-term addition of some additional equipment
>which also needs shop air, I'm running out of capacity on this unit, so
>I'm probably in the market for a new, higher-capacity compressor.
>Unfortunately, it looks like my choices are oil, oil or oil based
>compressors...  which leads me to my question.
>
>How big of a problem is the 'leakage' of compressor oil for shop air in
>electronic assembly?   Is the normal oil filter/traps enough to prevent
>manufacturing issues generally?  Or is something more extreme needed?
>Or on the other hand is this not a problem at all, and I'm just being
>overcautious?
>
>Compressor recommendations in the over 5.4CFM realm would also be useful.
>
>-forrest

Here's some recommended filtration levels for various applications:
http://www.norgren.com/document_resources/PDF_links/product_literature/broc=
hures/airline/en_clean_compressed_air.pdf

In the US, Tractor Supply has a nice 2-stage 80 gal IR compressor for $1K,
almost the same unit sells elsewhere for about 40% more.

There are certainly high capacity 100% oil-free compressors (eg. scroll typ=
e),
if you have a more serious budget. They're aimed at lab, medical etc.
applications.

>Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the rewar=
d"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.co=
m
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.co=
m



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