I start out by ducting cool air from another location near the intakes of my compressor.
I do this so all the heat being generated in the compressor area is not being introduced to the compressor.
I also run a large CFM compressor to reduce my run times which further eliminates heat.
I also have a very low pressure loss piping system from my compressor to the plasma torch which will make the air pumps work less hard to do the same job creating less heat.
Then the tank is the first location then moisture is removed.
Then I have 1 in iron pipe run from my compressor across the shop to the active air cooler (a radiator with a fan essentially)
Then it runs into my refrigerated air dryer.
Then from the refrigerated air dryer it runs through my oil separator particulate filter and desiccant dryer.
Then it runs into my dry air storage tank.
Then from my dryer storage tank to my plasma cutter.
And at the plasma cutter I use hypertherms air filter stop any little bits of whatever that might have worked its way down the pipe.
I can tell you those types don’t do much. Tin is talking about a air desiccant drier. I had a media in that absorbs moisture and turns color when saturated. you can then heat them to a certain temp in a oven and then they dry out and change color back to look like when new
Yes that is a great set up but most people are never going to go to that extent for just a plasma cutter.
Read that article that I posted from plasma spider and tell me what you think of the last post by Jim colt.
And they’ll suffer the consequences with reduced consumable life ,reduce cut quality, reduced equipment life and potentially more failed cuts. Which will all be a mystery to them so they can point fingers at every other thing but they’re in proper moisture management.
He does mention the 1.2.2 air standard which is -40° C or Fahrenheit dew point.
I see the last post on that plasma spider topic I’m going to read that a little bit more thoroughly.
Was this directed at the Campbell Hausfeld kit I posted? It has a desiccant media in it, that changes color when it needs replacing. What am I missing?
I have to say it speaks volumes for the Langmuir product that you guys have this kind of time, effort, and money into your air systems, and elected for the lowest priced imported CNC Plasma setup on the market. I know that might read like a back-handed compliment, but that’s not how I intend it.
But as someone who is attempting to run a Primeweld cutter on a Langmuir table, it should be obvious that I am wrestling with a very tight budget. My air compressor is a 30 year old 60 gallon Devilbiss unit, with a grossly overrated motor, and it’s still hanging on. That’s going to be the weak link in my system. All in, I’m at just under $4,000, without any kind of air management.
I apologize I did not see that had desiccant. They make some that look just like that but dont use desiccant and don’t work very well.
As far your set up, read the post I found on plasma spider. You can see this topic goes from one end of the spectrum to the other. Before you spend a bunch of money read up on the subject as much as you can. That way you will know where your weakest link is and that will help the most.
For most of us we are using compressed air for many other things.
If you are just running a plasma cutter buying all that will be a tough pill to swallow.
Sorry about the slow response, super busy day at work. Yes, the cooler is to reduce the chance of condensation.
I am also using a PW CUT 60, and like you I am using an old compressor… one my dad had in his barn that I resurrected with a HF 5hp pump. I am guessing our budget is pretty similar. I started with just a water separator off the tank(existing), and a 20-gallon tank scavenged off another dead compressor (also in the barn) to use as a “dry” storage tank and desiccant and a particulate filter. I have been collecting the components for the after cooler over the past months as my accountant (read wife) has allowed. I now have everything I need but the time to put it together.
I had to cash out early on my inheritance (the two dead compressors from the barn) to get to where I am now.
I would start with what you can afford and upgrade as soon as you can. It will benefit you in the long run to improve your air system as outlined by others above.
It’s a “temperate rainforest” But it comes in gallumphs vs spread out in small rainfalls. That means even though it’s twice as much rain as we get in CT, it doesn’t rain any more days. It does mean needing to build & prepare for inches of rain in a single rainfall.
Drying the air in the shop is important for more than the plasma. All the tools, wood, etc need dry air or they’ll be a mess.
Lots of surfing and reading opinions on dry air. It might be overkill, but I didn’t want to risk it. Compared to @TinWhisperer’s setup I feel like I went light!
Ya know, the rest of us MIGHT have known this if we could have found the manuals. But no, they’re buried in some cavern under a mountain in Western Canada, protected by an army of Sasquatch warriors!
to get to where I am now.