Compressor
Two interleaved spiral scrolls — one fixed, one orbiting — compress air with minimal vibration.
Typical range
2–30 HP, up to 145 PSI
Best for
Clean air applications, medical, dental, lab, quiet environments.
Operating principle
A fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll form crescent compression chambers. As the orbiting scroll moves, chambers shrink and move air from the outer inlet toward the center discharge. Multiple scrolls can be staged or modulated for capacity control.
Efficiency notes
High isothermal efficiency at low pressure ratios; best at part load because staging modulates power with demand. Quiet and oil-free.
Selection guidance
Ideal for low CFM, low noise, oil-free use: dental, medical, lab. Multiple banked units add redundancy and turndown.
Components
- Fixed scroll
- Orbiting scroll
- Tip seals
- Anti-rotation coupling
- Cooling fan
Common issues
- Loss of capacity → worn tip seals (typical life 10,000 hrs)
- Overheating → blocked fins, failed fan
- Noise / grinding → bearing failure on orbit drive
Maintenance
- 10,000 hrs: tip seal replacement
- Annual: clean cooling fins, inspect coupling
Field tips
- Tip seal life (~10,000 hrs) is the dominant wear item
- Banked scrolls: stage them so total hours stay balanced
- Blocked cooling fins are the #1 cause of overheating