{"id":19350,"date":"2025-08-26T11:03:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T09:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darda.de\/compressor"},"modified":"2025-08-26T11:03:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T09:03:49","slug":"compressor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.darda.de\/en\/knowledge\/compressor","title":{"rendered":"Compressor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A compressor is a fundamental work resource on construction sites, in demolition and in tunnel construction. It supplies compressed air for tools, cleaning and cooling processes, as well as measurement and control tasks. In the context of Darda GmbH, compressed air is primarily used as supporting energy<\/em>: for pre-drilling, blowing out boreholes, equipment care, and additional steps around rock and concrete splitters<\/a> or concrete demolition shears. While the tools from Darda GmbH are hydraulically operated and use hydraulic power units<\/a> for this, the compressor sensibly complements construction logistics when pneumatic tasks need to be carried out efficiently and safely.<\/p>\n

Definition: What is meant by a compressor<\/h2>\n

A compressor (air compressor) draws in ambient air and compresses it to a higher pressure. The compressed air provided serves as an energy carrier for tools or processes. Key parameters are the working pressure<\/strong> (e.g., 7\u201310 bar for construction compressors), the volume flow<\/strong> (e.g., in L\/min or m\u00b3\/min as free air delivery) and the quality of the compressed air (residual moisture, oil content, particles). Unlike blowers or fans, the compressor delivers compressed<\/em> air with usable pressure energy. A complete compressed-air system usually includes the compressor, aftercooler, receiver, treatment (filters, dryer, water separator), hoses and couplings, as well as suitable safety and measuring fittings.<\/p>\n

Operating principles and compressor types<\/h2>\n

Compressors operate according to displacement or dynamic (flow) principles. Common in construction are piston and screw compressors:<\/p>\n

Piston compressor<\/h3>\n

Compresses air in a cylinder via a reciprocating piston. Advantages: robust, good for intermittent loads, often simpler design. Suitable for small to medium air demands, e.g., for cleaning tasks, small pneumatic tools or targeted blowing out of boreholes.<\/p>\n

Screw compressor<\/h3>\n

Two counter-rotating rotors compress continuously. Advantages: smooth delivery, high efficiency in continuous operation, lower pulsation. Often the first choice on larger construction sites when constant volume flows are required for pneumatic rock drills or multiple consumers in parallel.<\/p>\n

Oil-lubricated or oil-free<\/h3>\n

Oil-lubricated compressors are widespread and efficient. Oil-free variants are chosen when clean, low-oil compressed air is required, for example for sensitive surface processing or when residues on concrete or natural stone surfaces are undesirable.<\/p>\n

Mobile or stationary<\/h3>\n

Mobile construction compressors (electric or engine-driven) are typical for changing locations in concrete demolition, special demolition and rock excavation. Stationary systems are found in workshops, e.g., to supply compressed-air networks for equipment preparation.<\/p>\n

Use in concrete demolition, special demolition and rock excavation<\/h2>\n

In projects with rock and concrete splitters, concrete demolition shears, steel shears or tank cutters, the compressor performs several tasks that support hydraulic operations. These include borehole preparation, drill dust removal, blowing off components, supplying pneumatic tools, and general equipment care.<\/p>\n

Pre-drilling and borehole cleaning for rock and concrete splitters<\/h3>\n

Precise boreholes are crucial for stone splitting cylinders and rock and concrete splitters. Pneumatic rock drills require a reliable compressed-air supply. After drilling, cleaning is performed with a dry, sufficiently strong air stream. This removes dust and drillings and reduces friction. It facilitates the insertion of splitting wedges or cylinders and counteracts jamming. In rock excavation and tunnel construction, thorough borehole cleaning improves the reproducibility of splitting results.<\/p>\n

Supporting tasks when using concrete demolition shears<\/h3>\n

Before gripping and breaking, loose materials can be removed with compressed air. Exposed edges can be engaged more cleanly, which is useful for strip-out and cutting. Pneumatic tools (e.g., chisels, needle scalers) can prepare the exposure of reinforcement before concrete demolition shears or steel shears are used. In sensitive special operations, dry, low-particle compressed air is advantageous to avoid contamination on cut surfaces.<\/p>\n

Sizing: pressure, volume flow and receiver size<\/h2>\n

Sizing is based on consumer peak loads and the desired continuous operation. The key factors are:<\/p>\n