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Resource center · CBS Air Compressors
Scroll Compressors
Contactless orbital compression. The quietest, cleanest technology available. Lubricated series 3-10 HP and Class Zero oil-free 2-50 HP, ISO 8573-1 compliant.
Two scroll lines designed for environments where noise and air purity are operational requirements: dental, pharmaceutical, laboratories, food processing, and electronics.
From 46 dB(A)
ISO 8573-1 Class 0
2-50 HP
Quick answer: a scroll compressor compresses air with two spirals — one fixed, one orbiting — with no metal contact: it is among the quietest on the market (from 50 dB(A)), with continuous flow, minimal vibration and very little maintenance. The Class Zero version delivers 100% oil-free air for labs, medical-dental and food applications. CBS offers them from 2 to 50 HP.
- From 50 dB(A)
- Class Zero: 0% oil
- Continuous flow
- 2–50 HP
2–50
HP available range
46
dB(A) minimum noise level
ISO 8573-1
Class 0 compliance
55+
years manufacturing compressors
Technical advantages
Why choose scroll technology?
Compression principles that make it ideal for sensitive environments
Contact-free orbital compression
Two spirals (fixed and orbiting) compress air without metal-to-metal contact. This eliminates mechanical wear on compression components, reduces vibration, and allows oil-free chamber operation (Class Zero versions).
The quietest compressor
The absence of valves and reciprocating movements eliminates the main noise sources in a compressor. Models from 46 dB(A) — quieter than a low-voice conversation.
100% oil-free air
The CBS Class Zero series compresses air without oil at any stage of the process. ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance, the most stringent industry standard for compressed air purity.
Simplified maintenance
No piston rings, no reed valves, no crankshaft. The conventional wear components of a piston simply do not exist in a scroll. Less frequent and less costly service intervals.
Scalable modular design (Class Zero)
Multiple independent scroll modules in a single cabinet. If one module requires service, the others keep running. True redundancy without additional equipment.
Cool-running operation
Scroll compression generates less heat than piston compression. Lower discharge temperature means easier air treatment and longer component life.
Technical comparison
Lubricated scroll vs. Class Zero scroll
Two lines designed for different purity levels and applications
| Feature | Lubricated Scroll | Class Zero Scroll |
|---|---|---|
| Oil in air | ≤ 3 ppm (with filtration) | Class 0 — 0 ppm |
| HP range | 3–10 HP | 2–50 HP |
| Typical noise | 56–63 dB(A) | 46–63 dB(A) |
| Duty cycle | 75–100% | 75–100% |
| Configuration | Simplex | Modular (multi-scroll) |
| Typical application | Workshop, CNC, light production | Dental, pharma, lab, food & beverage |
| CBS warranty | 3 years unit / 1 year motor | 2 years |
| Maintenance | Oil change + filters | Air filters only |
Not sure which one you need? Our engineers advise you at no cost.
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Lubricated Scroll Series
Quiet performance for continuous duty
The CBS lubricated scroll series covers 3 to 10 HP with an orbital compression principle that eliminates reed valves and reciprocating movements. A high-efficiency oil separation system delivers air with residual oil content equal to or less than 3 ppm (with filtration). The integrated acoustic enclosure keeps noise from 56 dB(A), and the intelligent micro-controller optimizes start-ups, shutdowns, and equipment protections.
- 3, 5.5, 6, and 10 HP available
- Maximum working pressure: 145 psi (10 bar)
- Noise level: from 56 dB(A) with acoustic enclosure
- Warranty: 3 years compression unit, 1 year motor and components
Class Zero Scroll Series
ISO 8573-1 Class 0
Zero oil at every stage of the process
The CBS Class Zero series uses multiple independent scroll modules inside a soundproofed cabinet. Each module compresses air with zero oil at any point in the process, guaranteeing ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance — the most stringent industry standard. The modular design allows scaling capacity by adding modules and offers true redundancy: if one module requires service, the others continue operating without interruption.
- From 2 to 50 HP in modular configurations
- ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance — zero oil at every stage
- Built-in redundancy: if one module stops, the others keep running
- Noise level: from 46 dB(A)
Applications
Where are scroll compressors used?
Industries where silence and air purity are operational requirements
Dental clinics
Dry, clean, and quiet air for dental units, suction, and autoclaves. Discreet operation that does not interfere with patient care. Class Zero recommended.
Pharmaceutical
Drug manufacturing, cleanrooms, aseptic processes. Class 0 ISO 8573-1 air to meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Laboratories
Analytical instrumentation (chromatography, spectrometry), equipment calibration. Particle- and oil-free air that does not alter results.
Food & beverage
Packaging, pneumatic conveying, PET blowing. Air that meets direct and indirect food-contact regulations.
Electronics
Cleanrooms, semiconductor manufacturing, SMT assembly. Particles and oil are critical contaminants in these processes.
Hospitals
Medical air, surgical instrumentation, mechanical ventilation. Where purity and silence are not optional.
Your application not listed? Ask us.
Before you decide
What to evaluate when choosing a scroll compressor
Choosing the right compressor depends on your process, not just horsepower. Review these factors before requesting a quote, and if you have questions, our technical team assists you at no cost.
- Required air quality — Do you need Class 0 (pharma, dental, food) or is ≤ 3 ppm sufficient (workshop, CNC)?
- Acceptable noise level — Will the compressor be near personnel or in an isolated room?
- Required airflow (CFM) — How many tools or processes will you feed simultaneously?
- Duty cycle — Continuous 24/7 or intermittent with scheduled pauses?
- Redundancy — Can you afford a complete stop if the compressor fails? The modular Class Zero design solves this.
- Available space — Do you need on-site installation without an isolated room? Scroll compressors operate from 46 dB(A).
Need help deciding?
Our technical team analyzes your application at no cost and recommends the exact series and model you need.
Frequently asked questions
Everything about scroll compressors
Technical answers to the most common questions
A scroll compressor uses two scroll-shaped spirals: one fixed and one orbiting. The orbiting spiral rotates eccentrically inside the fixed one, creating air pockets that progressively reduce from the periphery toward the center, compressing the gas. Unlike a piston, there is no reciprocating movement, no intake valves, and no mechanical exhaust — the flow is continuous, smooth, and with minimal vibration. This principle allows noise levels from 46 dB(A) and, in oil-free chamber configurations, delivers 100% oil-free air.
The lubricated scroll uses oil to seal and cool the compression spirals. A downstream separation system reduces the oil content in the air to ≤ 3 ppm, sufficient for workshops and general production. The Class Zero, on the other hand, uses no oil at any point in the compression process — the spirals operate with special coatings that eliminate the need for lubrication. This allows it to achieve ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance (0 ppm oil), mandatory in pharmaceutical, food, dental, and electronics industries.
In many applications, yes. The scroll offers lower noise, lower vibration, a higher duty cycle (75-100% vs. 50-70% for piston), and reduced maintenance. It is especially recommended for replacing pistons in environments where noise is a problem, continuous duty is needed, or air purity is critical. However, the piston remains more economical for intermittent use with low airflow, where initial cost is the dominant factor.
The lubricated series requires oil and oil/air filter changes at regular intervals, similar to a screw but without intake valves or rings to replace. The Class Zero series only requires replacement of inlet air filters — no oil to change, no reed valves, no piston rings. In both cases, maintenance is significantly less than a conventional piston, both in frequency and cost.
Yes. The modular design of the CBS Class Zero series allows adding scroll modules within the same cabinet to increase capacity without replacing the entire unit. If you need 10 HP today and 20 HP tomorrow, additional modules are added. Furthermore, this modular architecture offers true redundancy: if one module requires service, the remaining ones continue operating and the air supply is not interrupted.
The CBS Class Zero series holds ISO 8573-1 Class 0 compliance, the most stringent industry standard for compressed air purity. This standard requires that total oil concentration (liquid, aerosol, and vapor) be less than 0.01 mg/m³. Compliance is verified by third parties and is a regulatory requirement in pharmaceutical (GMP), food (HACCP), and hospital and laboratory applications where oil represents a contamination risk.
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