Skip to content Air assist is often discussed almost entirely in terms of compressor pressure. Russ takes a different approach and asks what the air is actually doing at the nozzle, in the kerf and around the lens during cutting and engraving.
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What You’ll Learn
- Why regulator pressure is not the same as pressure or flow at the nozzle.
- Why more compressor pressure does not automatically mean a better cut.
- How air assist serves different purposes during cutting and engraving.
Pressure Is Not the Whole Story
Russ distinguishes stored or static pressure from the moving airflow that reaches the work. Restrictions, nozzle geometry and the shape of the kerf all determine whether the air can actually clear the cutting zone.
Different Jobs Need Different Air
For cutting, airflow can help clear hot gases and debris. During engraving, Russ places much more emphasis on protecting the lens and avoiding an unnecessarily strong jet that can spread smoke and resin across the surface.
Why This Session Matters
The session questions expensive compressor upgrades made purely on the basis of a pressure figure and encourages users to think in terms of useful flow at the process.
This page is a concise overview of Russ Sadler’s original video rather than a full transcript.
