Newbury And District Hackspace

Shop Air System

Request from NADHack bill payers

It is very easy to leave the compressor on by accident when leaving the Hackspace. Please take extra care to ensure that the compressor is turned off before you leave.

Health and Safety Warning

The air system is surprisingly dangerous. The pressures and flow rates involved can cause major damage, including fatalities, if used irresponsibly.

Under no circumstance must any tool or equipment attached to the Hackspace air system be targeted at any person or their clothing. This includes using the air-dusters on clothing, skin, face, etc.

Eye protection must be worn whenever using any air tools.

Power up sequence

The air compressor needs to be pressurised before opening the valve to the air distribution system. This is because there are automatic drain valves on the water trap outlets which open at low pressure. If these valves are in the open position the compressor cannot generate enough airflow to close them.

This can be resolved by closing the outlet valve on the compressor. This allows pressure to build inside the compressor and, once 2 bar (30psi) of pressure has built the outlet valve can be safely opened. The automatic valves on the water traps should then immediately close.

To power up the system:

• Ensure that all tools are disconnected from the outlets or otherwise made safe.
• Ensure that there is no obvious damage to the air distribution system or its components.
• Ensure that no users of the space object to the noise of the compressor.
• Ensure that the mains inlet is turned off/disconnected.
• Ensure that the pressure switch on the top of the compressor is off (pressed).
• Ensure that there is no pressure in the system (check the gauge on the top of the compressor).
• If there is no pressure in the system drain any water trapped in the compressor using the drain cock under the receiver. Do not drain water from the compressor while the system is under pressure.
• Close the outlet valve on the right hand side of the compressor.
• Turn on the mains supply.
• Turn on (pull) the switch on top of the pressure switch. The compressor should start up.
• Verify that pressure is building in the tank and that no air is leaking from anywhere in the system.
• When 2 bar (approx 30 psi) is shown on the tank gauge open the outlet valve.
• Verify that all water trap drain valves are now closed.
• Wait for pressure to build before using the compressor.

Power down sequence

Do not turn off the compressor at the wall The compressor pressure switch has a function to place the compressor piston at the right position when stopping the motor. For this function to work the compressor must be turned off using the pressure switch.

To power down the system:

• Press the pressure switch into the off position (depressed).
• Allow the compressor to stop (should happen almost immediately).
• Turn off the mains inlet.