Rotary Screw Compressors with Dryers - AIRCENTER Compressed Air Station

Rotary Screw Compressors with Dryers - AIRCENTER Compressed Air Station

AIRCENTER screw compressors

AIRCENTER compressed air stations (*) by Kaeser provide their owners with complete, premium-quality solutions. Featuring a rotary screw compressor with SIGMA PROFILE airend technology, an add-on refrigeration dryer, and a compressed air receiver, these space-saving systems provide an uncomplicated compressed air supply suited to numerous applications. The SX, SM, and SK series AIRCENTER feature these technical parameters: 

  • Pressure: 125, 160, or 217 psig 
  • Flow rate range: 9 to 90 cfm 

Our premium compressed air stations require little space and are the perfect solution for smaller industrial operations.

Your Advantages

When you order an AIRCENTER rotary screw air compressor with a dryer from Kaeser, you get the benefit of: 

  • Space-saving integrated solution: Compressor, refrigerated dryer and air receiver tank in one quiet, air compressor package. 
  • Protection from corrosion damage: Thanks to the integrated refrigerated dryer, the system delivers high air quality and protects your equipment from corrosion damage. 
  • Fast installation: Simply connect to the power supply and compressed air distribution network—no need to worry about major piping or installation work.
* This dryer series contains fluorinated greenhouse gases. All models contain refrigerant R-513A (GWP 631).

Low life cycle costs

Life-cycle costs

Our comprehensive approach to life cycle cost management: Superior efficiency, easy operation, service-friendliness, and a global service and consulting network with fast response times.

Performance comparison of all AIRCENTER options
Series Power range (hp)  Flow rate (cfm)  Pressure (psig)  Footprint (sq. ft.) 
SX 3 – 7.5 AIRCENTER 3 – 7.5 9 - 29 125/160/217 7
SM 7.5 - 15 AIRCENTER 7.5 - 15 19 - 56 125/160/217 8
SFC 8 AIRCENTER (with speed-controlled motor) 10 32 - 54 125/160/217 8
SK 15 - 20 AIRCENTER 15 – 20 48 - 95 125/160/217 11
SFC 11 - 15 AIRCENTER  (with speed-controlled motor) 15 – 20 50 - 103 125/160/217 11

All AIRCENTERS come standard with SIGMA CONTROL

Find the right compressor

Save energy and costs by selecting a compressor with just the right amount of power to suit your needs. Ask us – we‘re happy to help you select the right equipment.

AIRCENTER SX – Equipment

Complete unit

  • Ready-to-run
  • Fully automatic
  • Super silenced
  • Vibration-dampened
  • All panels powder-coated
  • For ambient temperatures up to +115 °F
  • Easy access to all service points thanks to removable left cover

Electric motor

  • Premium Efficiency IE3
  • Premium quality German-made motor
  • IP 54

Rotary screw airend

SIGMA PROFILE rotors require approximately 10 to 20 percent less energy than conventional rotors of the same air delivery capacity.

Efficient cooling

  • Dual flow fan and separate air flow channels for cooling of the motor, the fluid/compressed air cooler and the control cabinet
  • Fluid and air flow: 'Honeycomb' air intake filter, pneumatic inlet and venting valves, cooling fluid separator tank with triple separation system
  • Pressure relief valve
  • Minimum pressure check valve
  • Thermostatic valve and fluid filter in coolant circuit
  • Fluid / compressed air combination cooler

Refrigerated dryer (with T version)

  • With electronically-controlled condensate drain
  • Refrigerant compressor with energy-saving, cycling shut-down feature
  • Linked to operational status of the compressor when inactive
  • Alternatively, continuous operation can be selected on site
  • Contains fluorinated greenhouse gas R-513A

Electrical components

  • Control cabinet to IP 54
  • Switching cabinet ventilation
  • Automatic star-delta starter
  • Overload relays
  • Control transformer

SIGMA CONTROL

  • "Traffic-light" LED indicators show operational status at a glance
  • Easy-to-read display
  • 30 selectable languages
  • Soft-touch icon buttons
  • Fully-automatic monitoring and control
  • Dual, Quadro, Vario and Continuous control modes available as standard
  • Interfaces: Ethernet
  • Additional optional communication modules for: Profibus DP, Modbus, Profinet, BACnet, OPC
  • SD card slot for data logging and updates
  • RFID reader
  • Web server
AIRCENTER SM – Equipment

Complete unit

  • Ready-to-run
  • Fully automatic
  • Super silenced
  • Vibration-damped
  • All panels powder-coated
  • For ambient temperatures up to 115 °F

Electric motor

  • Premium Efficiency IE3 / Super Premium Efficiency IE4
  • Premium quality German-made motor
  • IP 54

Rotary screw airend

  • Single stage with cooling fluid injection for optimal rotor cooling
  • SIGMA PROFILE rotors require approximately 10 to 20 percent less energy than conventional rotors of the same air delivery capacity.

Refrigerated dryers

  • Separate housing for great reliability
  • With electronically-controlled condensate drain
  • Refrigerant compressor with energy-saving, cycling shut-down feature
  • Linked to operational status of the compressor when inactive
  • Alternatively, continuous operation can be selected on site
  • Contains fluorinated greenhouse gas R-513A

Efficient cooling

  • Dual flow fan and separate air flow channels for cooling of the motor, the fluid/compressed air cooler and the control cabinet
  • Fluid and air flow: 'Honeycomb' air intake filter, pneumatic inlet and venting valves, cooling fluid separator tank with triple separation system
  • Pressure relief valve
  • Minimum pressure check valve
  • Thermostatic valve and fluid filter in coolant circuit
  • Fluid / compressed air combination cooler

Electrical components

  • Control cabinet to IP 54
  • Switching cabinet ventilation
  • Automatic star-delta starter
  • Overload relays
  • Control transformer

SIGMA CONTROL

  • Traffic-light LEDs for at-a-glance operational status
  • Easy-to-read display
  • 30 selectable languages
  • Soft-touch icon buttons
  • Fully-automatic monitoring and control
  • Dual, Quadro, Vario and Continuous control modes available as standard
  • Interfaces: Ethernet
  • Additional optional communication modules for: Profibus DP, Modbus, Profinet. BACnet, OPC
  • SD card slot for data logging and updates
  • RFID reader
  • Web server
AIRCENTER SK – Equipment

Complete unit

  • Ready-to-run
  • Fully automatic
  • Super silenced
  • Vibration-damped
  • All panels powder-coated
  • For ambient temperatures up to +115 °F
  • Easy access to all service points thanks to removable left cover

Electric motor

  • Premium Efficiency IE3
  • Premium quality German-made motor
  • IP 54

Rotary screw airend

  • Single stage with cooling fluid injection for optimal rotor cooling
  • SIGMA PROFILE rotors require approximately 10 to 20 percent less energy than conventional rotors of the same air delivery capacity.

Efficient cooling

  • Dual flow fan and separate air flow channels for cooling of the motor, the fluid/compressed air cooler and the control cabinet
  • Fluid and air flow: 'Honeycomb' air intake filter, pneumatic inlet and venting valves, cooling fluid separator tank with triple separation system
  • Pressure relief valve
  • Minimum pressure check valve
  • Thermostatic valve and fluid filter in coolant circuit
  • Fluid / compressed air combination cooler

Refrigerated dryer (with T version)

  • With electronically-controlled condensate drain
  • Refrigerant compressor with energy-saving, cycling shut-down feature
  • Linked to operational status of the compressor when inactive
  • Alternatively, continuous operation can be selected on site
  • Contains fluorinated greenhouse gas R-513A

Electrical components

  • Control cabinet to IP 54
  • Switching cabinet ventilation
  • Automatic star-delta starter
  • Overload relays
  • Control transformer

SIGMA CONTROL

  • "Traffic-light" LED indicators show operational status at a glance
  • Easy-to-read display
  • 30 selectable languages
  • Soft-touch icon buttons
  • Fully-automatic monitoring and control
  • Dual, Quadro, Vario and Continuous control modes available as standard
  • Interfaces: Ethernet
  • Additional optional communication modules for: Profibus DP, Modbus, Profinet, BACNet, OPC
  • SD card slot for data logging and updates
  • RFID reader
  • Web server
  • SK rotary screw compressors are optionally available with SIGMA CONTROL BASIC

Why Moisture in Compressed Air Is a Problem

Every time air gets compressed, the water vapor naturally present in ambient air concentrates and follows the airstream into your system. Without a dryer, that moisture accumulates as liquid condensate in your pipes, receiver tank, and pneumatic tools, corroding metal components from the inside out. 

For processes like spray painting or precision machining, even trace moisture in the compressed air can contaminate end products or throw off tight tolerances. In cold climates or unheated facilities, condensate in air lines can freeze, causing blockages and sudden pressure drops that interrupt production. An AIRCENTER rotary screw air compressor with a dryer eliminates this risk at the source, delivering air at a consistent 38°F pressure dew point before it ever reaches your equipment or processes.

Integrated vs. Standalone: Total Cost of Ownership

Pairing a standalone rotary screw compressor with a separately sourced dryer and receiver tank gets the job done, but it introduces installation costs, additional piping runs, separate electrical connections, and the ongoing risk of mismatched components sized by different manufacturers. The AIRCENTER takes a fundamentally different approach: The compressor, refrigerated dryer, and air receiver ship as a single pre-assembled unit that connects to your power supply and distribution network in one step. 

That compressed footprint translates directly into recovered floor space, reduced installation labor, and a system where every component is engineered to work together. When you factor in the energy savings from the SIGMA PROFILE airend, which requires up to 15% less energy than conventional rotor designs, the long-term operating cost advantage over a piecemeal setup becomes substantial. For smaller industrial operations where every square foot and every kilowatt-hour counts, a rotary screw compressor with an integrated air dryer purpose-built as a single station is a straightforward economic decision.

Who Uses the AIRCENTER: Industry and Application Fit

The AIRCENTER's combination of clean, dry compressed air and quiet operation makes it a natural fit for automotive service shops, where paint booths demand moisture-free air and technicians work in close proximity to the compressor all day. Woodworking shops and metal fabrication facilities rely on the AIRCENTER's consistent pressure and integrated refrigerated dryer to protect pneumatic tools and keep finishing processes free of moisture-related defects. Machine shops running CNC equipment and precision tooling benefit from the stable, dry air output that prevents condensate from interfering with instrumentation or control systems. 

Dry cleaning operations, packaging lines, and light manufacturing facilities use the rotary screw compressor with dryer format specifically because the all-in-one station fits into tight mechanical rooms without requiring a dedicated compressor house. Across all of these settings, the AIRCENTER's sound pressure levels, as low as 61 dB(A) on the SX series, mean it operates comfortably in occupied workspaces without a sound enclosure.

Get Clean, Dry Air From a Single Connection Point

The AIRCENTER gives your operation a complete rotary screw air compressor with dryer and receiver tank in one pre-engineered station, requiring no separate components to source and no complex installation to coordinate. Our team can help you identify the right series, pressure rating, and configuration for your specific cfm requirements and facility constraints. Contact a Kaeser distributor or request a quote today.

Request a Quote!

kaeser compressors experts help customers find the right compressor system

Our compressed air system experts can help you find the right compressed air solution for you.

Contact KAESER For Your Compressed Air Questions

kaeser compressors representatives help to answer any compressed air questions

Whether you have simple questions regarding your compressed air requirements or require custom solutions, our team is always available to answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the AIRCENTER require three-phase power?

Most AIRCENTER models are designed for three-phase electrical service, which is standard in industrial and commercial facilities. However, some smaller SX series configurations are available for single-phase power. Your Kaeser representative can confirm the exact electrical requirements for the model and horsepower you're evaluating before you commit to a configuration.

Can the AIRCENTER's refrigerated dryer run continuously, or does it shut down when the compressor is idle?

By default, the refrigerated dryer is linked to the compressor's operational status and cycles off when the compressor is not running, saving energy during idle periods. If your application requires the dryer to remain active regardless of compressor status (for example, in systems where residual air pressure must stay dry during extended standby), you can select the continuous operation mode directly on the unit without any additional hardware.

What filtration does the AIRCENTER provide, and do I need additional downstream filtration?

The AIRCENTER's integrated refrigerated dryer removes bulk liquid moisture and brings the compressed air to a 38°F pressure dew point, which meets the air quality requirements for the majority of general industrial applications. For processes with stricter purity requirements, such as spray finishing, food contact, or sensitive instrumentation, Kaeser offers an optional downstream filtration package. Our engineering team can assess your specific air quality requirements to determine whether your application requires additional treatment.

Purchase vs. Outsource: When Outsourcing Air Compressor Services Might Be the Better Option

purchase vs outsource

When deciding how to meet compressed air needs, the most common approach is a capital purchase. But while the up-front purchase gives you ownership of an asset, sometimes a capital lease is attractive if capital is tight or you want to spend the money as you accrue the benefit (compressed air). A third, but far less commonly considered option, is compressed air outsourcing as a service. This course of action may offer greater flexibility, cost efficiency, and reduced management responsibilities. The best option depends on your production patterns, budget, and in-house maintenance and administrative resources.

How Fino Valley Wines in New Zealand achieved uninterrupted compressed air reliability with KAESER

Fino-winery

Fino Valley Wines, one of the oldest wineries in Auckland, New Zealand, is successfully scaling production and achieving uninterrupted operational reliability, supported by the installation of a KAESER AIRTOWER 4C all-in-one compressed air system. Complete with filtration, the system provides the essential high air quality needed for the wineries new bottling line, enabling a dramatic increase in output while eliminating reliance on costly bottled nitrogen supply.

Sizing Industrial Air Compressors: A Guide for Smart Buyers

Sizing Industrial Air Compressors: A Guide for Smart Buyers

Purchasing or expanding a compressed air system is a significant investment for any business. Whether you're setting up a brand-new facility or upgrading an existing one, getting the sizing right is crucial, since compressor size impacts productivity.

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