The heart of an air compressor is the screw pump which is also called air-end. The air-end is the most important part of any screw compressor. It’s that part of the machine where the actual compression takes place.

Why are they so popular? Since it’s a continuous process (as opposed to reciprocating piston compressors) they supply a steady, non-pulsating air flow, with minimum vibrations and maintenance and maximum lifetime.

How does an air-end work? Inside the compressor element are two screws that turn in opposite directions. The rotary screw compressor is a “positive displacement” compressor, which means that the air is physically squeezed together by an external force (like piston and scroll compressors).

In the case of the rotary screw, the air gets trapped between the two rotors. The rotors have a special design for optimal efficiency and performance. One rotor is the “male” and the other is the “female”. The air gets sucked in on one side (cold, low-pressure), and gets trapped between the rotors, and then is discharged out the other side (hot, high pressure).

This compression requires power, which is usually supplied by a electric motor, with the Airwave range of compressors, the airend is powered by the direct drive permanent magnet motor. The unique design of our airend incorporates the electric motor rotor shaft onto the male screw, which increases efficiency and reduces moving components extending its working life.