About IKAICHI SCREW BLOWERS
next-level Air Technology from Renowned Titans
Leveraging 20+ years of insights from industry leaders like Aerzen, Kaeser, and Robuschi, IKAICHI designs top-tier screw blowers (11-630 kW, 0.5-2.5 bar) that deliver maximum advantages and eliminate common operational drawbacks.
Experience unparalleled efficiency with our unique design, integrated VSD technology for energy savings, and custom-tailored solutions for your industrial needs.
IKAICHI: Your partner for robust, reliable, and optimized air compression.
Technical Data
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Innovative design. Elite components. Exceptional screw blowers.
Component Spotlight
Our components are engineered for excellence, providing distinct advantages that boost performance and user satisfaction.
Unique Bareshaft
Our innovative 3/5 rotor IK-profile design minimizes leakage and maximizes airflow, achieving energy efficiency comparable to leading 3/4 and 3/5 screw blowers from Aerzen, Kaeser, and Robuschi.
Standout Oil Seal
Featuring a special Inpro oil seal, our design eliminates leaks and mechanical friction losses, a benefit not commonly found with European manufacturers.
Direct-Drive PM Motor
Standard units integrate a direct-drive (via coupling) IE4 Permanent Magnet (PM) variable frequency motor, ensuring high transmission efficiency, zero wear parts, and simplified maintenance.
Optimized Lubrication System
Our unique lubrication and oil tank design allows for reliable splash lubrication across most conditions up to 100 kPa, a capability unmatched by competitors and highly valued for its low maintenance and spare part costs.
Advanced Silencing Design
Our advanced silencing design delivers significantly lower operating sound levels. It incorporates a seamless steel pipe silencer for reliable performance and to prevent potential manufacturing quality issues.
7-Inch Multi-Language Touchscreen
This intuitive PLC interface provides user-friendly, “manual-free” control, setting a new industry standard for operational convenience.
Screw Blower Buying Guide
Choosing the right screw blower is a big deal for your efficiency and costs.
This guide quickly answers the most important questions to help you choose wisely.
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Table of Contents
- How do I select the optimal blower technology - Roots, centrifugal, or screw - for my specific industrial application?
- What are the critical features I should look for in a modern screw blower?
- How do I correctly size a screw blower to match my capacity needs?
- What are the energy efficiency and cost savings advantages of screw blowers?
- What key data points are essential for a professional screw blower inquiry to ensure accurate selection?
- What's essential for screw blower maintenance?
How do I select the optimal blower technology - Roots, centrifugal, or screw - for my specific industrial application?
Choosing between Roots (lobe), centrifugal, and screw blowers depends primarily on the required flow rate, pressure/vacuum, efficiency, and application-specific needs.
Roots (Lobe) Blowers:
Best for: Low pressure/vacuum applications requiring constant volume, even against varying discharge pressures. Ideal for pneumatic conveying, wastewater aeration (medium depth), and some process gas transfer.
Characteristics: Simple design, robust, reliable, relatively low initial cost. Can be noisy and less efficient than screw blowers at higher pressures, and oil-free operation is common.
Range: Typically up to 1 bar (14.5 psi) differential pressure or 500 mbar (15 inHg) vacuum.
Centrifugal Blowers:
Best for: High flow rates at low to medium pressures. Suited for large-scale aeration, ventilation, drying, and general industrial air supply where pressure fluctuations are acceptable.
Characteristics: Smooth, pulsation-free flow, quiet operation (especially turbos), and high efficiency at their design point. Flow varies with pressure.
Range: Generally up to 1.5 bar (22 psi) differential pressure, but specialized multi-stage units can go higher. High flow rates, often exceeding 10,000 m³/hr.
Screw Blowers (Rotary Screw):
Best for: Medium to high pressure/vacuum applications requiring high energy efficiency and quiet operation. Excellent for deep wastewater aeration, pneumatic conveying (high pressure/long distance), and processes demanding precise pressure control.
Characteristics: Very energy-efficient, especially under varying load conditions when paired with VFDs. Low pulsation, quieter than Roots, and deliver oil-free air. Higher initial cost but lower lifecycle cost due to efficiency.
Range: Typically up to 2.5 bar (36 psi) differential pressure or down to 100 mbar abs (3 inHg abs) vacuum.
Selection Guidance:
Low Pressure/Volume (<1 bar): Roots blowers are often a cost-effective choice.
High Volume/Low Pressure: Centrifugal blowers excel here for steady, pulsation-free flow.
Medium-High Pressure/High Efficiency: Screw blowers offer superior energy efficiency and quieter operation, making them ideal for modern installations with demanding energy targets.
Always consult performance curves for each technology against your specific flow, pressure, and efficiency requirements.
Roots Blower
Centrifugal Blower
Screw Blower
What are the critical features I should look for in a modern screw blower?
Focus on design, materials, and integrated intelligence.
Modern screw blowers offer advanced features that significantly improve performance, reliability, and ease of use.
Advanced Rotor Profile & Coating: Look for optimized rotor designs (e.g., asymmetric profiles) that improve volumetric efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Special coatings can enhance durability, corrosion resistance, and extend lifespan.
Integrated Gearbox & Drive System: A well-integrated, often oil-free, gearbox ensures efficient power transmission with minimal losses and reduced maintenance. Direct-drive configurations can further reduce mechanical losses.
Sealing Technology: For oil-free operation, the quality of air-end seals is paramount. Labyrinth seals, carbon ring seals, or mechanical seals prevent lubricant contamination of the process air.
Acoustic Enclosures & Low-Noise Design: Essential for sensitive environments. Modern blowers often feature advanced sound-dampening materials and aerodynamic designs to minimize operational noise.
Robust Construction Materials: High-grade cast iron or aluminum housings, stainless steel components where necessary, ensure longevity and withstand demanding industrial conditions.
Vibration Dampening: Effective vibration isolation extends component life and reduces noise.
How do I correctly size a screw blower to match my capacity needs?
Accurate data and professional consultation are key.
Sizing is not just about matching the highest flow and pressure; it’s about optimizing for efficiency at your typical operating point.
Accurate Data Collection:
Measure Actual Demand: If replacing an existing system, measure the actual flow and pressure required by your process under various conditions, not just nameplate ratings.
Calculate System Losses: Account for pressure drops in piping, filters, valves, and other components in your system. This determines the actual pressure the blower needs to deliver at the discharge port.
Consult Performance Curves:
Manufacturers provide detailed performance curves (flow vs. pressure, power consumption vs. flow). Your optimal operating point should fall within the most efficient range of the selected blower.
Consider Part-Load Efficiency: If your demand fluctuates, evaluate how efficient the blower is at lower capacities, especially if coupled with a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).
Factor in Safety Margins:
Add a small safety margin (e.g., 5-10%) to your calculated maximum flow and pressure requirements to account for unforeseen variations or minor system changes. Avoid oversizing significantly, as this can lead to inefficient operation.
Seek Expert Advice:
Always work with the manufacturer or an experienced distributor. They have sophisticated sizing software and expertise to recommend the best model based on your specific data, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency.
What are the energy efficiency and cost savings advantages of screw blowers?
Screw blowers offer significant operational savings, particularly with VFDs.
Energy consumption typically accounts for 80-90% of a blower’s total lifecycle cost. Screw blowers, especially modern designs, are engineered for efficiency.
High Isentropic Efficiency: The positive displacement design of screw blowers inherently offers high efficiency over a broad operating range compared to some other blower technologies.
Oil-Free Operation: Eliminates the need for oil separation and filtration systems, reducing pressure drops and maintenance costs associated with oil management.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs): When equipped with VFDs, screw blowers can precisely match motor speed to demand, leading to substantial energy savings (often 20-50%) in applications with fluctuating flow requirements. This is a major economic advantage.
What key data points are essential for a professional screw blower inquiry to ensure accurate selection?
For a serious screw blower inquiry, focus on these critical data points:
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Application & Medium:
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Purpose: What is the blower for (e.g., aeration, conveying, process gas)?
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Gas: What gas will be handled? Specify any unique properties or contaminants.
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Environment: Ambient temperature, altitude, and any hazardous/corrosive conditions.
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Performance Requirements:
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Flow Rate: Required volumetric flow (e.g., m³/hr, CFM) at inlet or outlet.
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Pressure: Required differential pressure (e.g., mbar, psi).
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Temperatures: Inlet gas temperature, and desired max outlet temperature if critical.
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Mechanical & System Integration:
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Drive Type: Direct drive or belt drive?
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Noise Control: Is an acoustic hood required?
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Operation: Is an unload/venting function needed?
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Cooling: Is an aftercooler required for outlet air temperature?
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Electrical: Available voltage, phase, frequency.
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Space: Any physical footprint or height restrictions.
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Control: Desired control method (e.g., fixed speed, VFD, pressure/flow control).
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Providing these specifics ensures manufacturers can accurately size, select materials, and quote the most suitable and efficient screw blower solution.
What's essential for screw blower maintenance?
The right lubricant is critical.
Always use the special synthetic lubricant provided or recommended by the factory. Incorrect or insufficient oil (below the middle of the sight glass, or viscosity under 70SUS at operating temperature) will quickly damage bearings and gears, leading to machine failure.
Here’s a real example: A user once used 46# air compressor oil in their screw blower. After a short period of operation, an alarm for high bearing temperature was activated, and the machine shut down. Upon inspection, slight damage was found on the bearings and gears. The unfortunate consequence was having to send the machine back to the factory to replace all bearings, gears, and seals.