· 5 min read
How each type works
A piston (reciprocating) compressor draws air into a cylinder and compresses it with a piston, discharging into a receiver tank. A rotary screw compressor compresses air continuously between two meshing rotors.
Duty cycle is the deciding factor
Piston compressors are generally intended to run intermittently, with the tank buffering demand between cycles. Rotary screw compressors are designed for continuous running, which makes them the usual choice where air is consumed all day.
Practical differences on site
Screw compressors typically run quieter and more smoothly at sustained load and are often packaged with air treatment. Piston compressors are simpler machines with straightforward serviceable components such as belts, gaskets and filters.
- Intermittent workshop duty — piston compressor
- Continuous production demand — rotary screw compressor
- Mobile or off-grid work — petrol or diesel compressor
What Force Air supplies
Force Air supplies piston compressors with 100 L to 300 L tanks and rotary screw compressors from 7.5 kW to 75 kW, with larger sizes available on request.