Centrifugal Airend Rebuilding
When downtime becomes an issue, an airend exchange replacement is often the answer. The airend of a centrifugal compressor is responsible for compressing the air, so rebuilding it can reduce downtime and improve performance. California Air Compressors Company certified engineers will complete a full inspection and engineering evaluation of your centrifugal airend rebuild. We provide centrifugal air end services throughout San Diego, Los Angeles and surrounding cities.
When to Rebuild Your Centrifugal Airend
A proper maintenance program can help to overcome environmental, application, and operating condition factors. Knowing the best time to rebuild an operating airend can be determined by performing a routine analysis of oil samples, bearing vibration trends, bearing temperature trends, and airend temperature rise.
Incoming air needs to be free from all contamination and chemicals. Oil flooded rotary compressors mix incoming air with oil during the compression cycle. Oil sampling done at regular intervals helps to detect any contaminants or chemicals that are mixing with the oil and ultimately the air. Contaminated oil can damage the bearings and seals in the compressor air end.
Centrifugal Airend Lifespan Factors:
- The manufacturer (brand)
- Application
- Surrounding environment (exposure to specific elements)
- Routine maintenance
- Oil type
- General operating parameters
Airend rebuild costs in SoCal may vary depending on manufacturer and other variables. On average, rebuilds can cost 50% less than a brand new airend.
Costs to Consider for Rebuilds:
- Removal and installation
- Rebuilding of the gear case
- Consumable parts (oil, filters, etc.)
Benefits of Airend Rebuilding
Rebuilding your airend can reduce downtime and improve overall performance, extend the life of your compressor, and avoid unexpected catastrophic failure. It is also more affordable than replacing your system with a brand new one.
Airend Rebuilding Process
Our Southern California airend rebuilds are completed with the highest standards in the industry. There are several steps in the rebuilding process that require experienced technicians.
Airend Assembly Services include:
- Disassembly
- Cleaning & degreasing
- Dimensional inspection
- Repair & recondition
- Front & rear covers, rotors, bearing journals, main bore, steel strips
- NDT
- Blending of erosion damage
- Supplying replacement impellers, pinions, diffusers, bearings, sealers, O-rings, gaskets, fasteners, etc. as required
- Balance
- Painting & finishing
- Preservation for long-term storage and crating
- Quality control
- Reassembly
- Rebuilds have a one-year warranty