Plastics processing
Compressor for plastics processing
Screw compressor for plastics processing: injection moulding machines, sprue pickers, mould blow-off, two or three shifts. 15 to 22 kW, 2-year warranty.
In a plastics plant, compressed air is everywhere: cylinders and ejectors on injection moulding machines, robots and grippers for part removal, blow-off of parts and mould cooling, conveying, low-pressure blow moulding of hollow parts. And the shop floor often runs two or three shifts a day.
What matters in plastics processing
- Continuous operation. A moulding machine stopped for lack of air means scrapped parts and a cycle to restart. The compressor has to run thousands of hours a year without faltering: that is what a screw compressor is built for.
- Dry air. Water in the network disrupts cylinders and grippers and can mark parts during blow-off. A refrigerated dryer and filtration sized to the air flow are the baseline.
- Stable pressure. Take-out robots and vacuum cups work better at a steady pressure. A well-sized air receiver absorbs the demand peaks of each cycle.
- Energy cost. On three shifts, electricity is by far the largest share of the cost of compressed air. Our guide to compressor energy costs helps you put a figure on it.
Our advice: the S series, or a 4-in-1 for a smaller shop
For a shop with several moulding machines on shift work, the Screw compressor 15 kW or the 22 kW permanent magnet model from the S series forms the core of the installation, with an air receiver and dryer sized to the air flow. The S 220 PM runs at variable speed: it follows changes in demand between cycles instead of idling.
For a smaller shop, the Screw compressor 15 kW 4-in-1 from the K series already integrates the air receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration on one frame.
High-pressure PET blow moulding: outside our range
To be clear: PET bottle blow moulding requires air at up to 40 bar. Our compressors go up to 13 bar (S and K series) and 16 bar (L series), so they are not suitable for this application. They can, however, supply the plant's service air (cylinders, robots, low-pressure blow-off) alongside a dedicated high-pressure installation.
Maintenance and continuity
On shift work, service intervals come round quickly: log the operating hours and keep service kits in stock. AIRSTAHL parts remain available for 15 years. In the event of a breakdown in France, we provide a solution within 24 hours: repair, a part shipped to you or a rental compressor in the meantime.
Frequently asked questions — Plastics processing
Which compressor do I need for injection moulding machines?
Add up the air consumption of all the moulding machines, take-out robots and blow-off points running at the same time, using the manufacturers' data sheets, and add a margin for leaks and future expansion. For several machines on shift work, a 15 kW or 22 kW screw compressor from the S series, with an air receiver and dryer sized to the air flow, is the usual baseline.
Are AIRSTAHL compressors suitable for PET bottle blow moulding?
No. PET blow moulding requires air at up to 40 bar, while our compressors go up to 13 bar (S and K series) and 16 bar (L series). They can, however, supply the plant's service air for cylinders, robots and low-pressure blow-off, alongside a dedicated high-pressure installation.
Why choose a variable speed compressor for plastics processing?
Air demand varies with injection cycles and machine stoppages. A variable speed compressor, such as the S 220 PM with its permanent magnet motor, adjusts its speed to demand instead of switching between load and idling. On two or three shifts, electricity weighs heavily in the cost of compressed air, which is where this choice matters.
The recommended models
15kW
S 150Screw compressor 15 kW
For production workshops and truck workshops with high air consumption.
22kW
S 220 PMScrew compressor 22 kW permanent magnet
Permanent magnet motor, 10 bar: the industrial machine of the range.
15kW
K 150Screw compressor 15 kW 4-in-1
Compressor, air receiver, refrigerated dryer and filtration combined on a single frame, at 15 kW.
Other trades
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