ROCKER Rocker 320 Oil-Free Diaphragm Air Compressor

Overview

The ROCKER Rocker 320 Oil-Free Diaphragm Air Compressor is an engineered solution for laboratories and research facilities requiring clean, reliable, and maintenance-free compressed air. Unlike oil-lubricated piston or rotary vane compressors, the Rocker 320 employs a sealed diaphragm-driven compression mechanism—eliminating direct contact between moving parts and process air. This design ensures zero hydrocarbon carryover, making it suitable for applications where air purity is critical, including cell culture incubator gas supply, filtration systems, and low-pressure aeration of aqueous samples. The unit operates on a direct-drive motor architecture with no belts, gears, or oil reservoirs—reducing mechanical complexity, minimizing vibration transmission, and delivering stable airflow at low noise levels (<52 dB(A) at 1 m). Its compact footprint and wall-mountable chassis support integration into benchtop workflows, fume hoods, or centralized lab utility networks.

Key Features

• Oil-Free Diaphragm Technology: Hermetically sealed elastomeric diaphragms isolate the drive mechanism from the air path—preventing lubricant contamination and ensuring ISO 8573-1 Class 0 (zero-risk) air quality.
• Thermal Protection System: An embedded bimetallic thermal cut-off switch monitors motor winding temperature in real time; automatic shutdown occurs at ≥120 °C, with auto-restart after passive cooling to safe operating range.
• Integrated Dual-Stage Exhaust Filtration: Standard stainless-steel inlet filter plus replaceable coalescing filter at the outlet removes particulates down to 0.3 µm and reduces moisture content to <30% RH at ambient conditions.
• Low-Vibration Direct-Drive Motor: Brushless induction motor coupled directly to the compression head—no belt slippage, timing drift, or harmonic resonance—enabling stable operation on shared optical tables or sensitive analytical platforms.
• Dual-Voltage Compatibility: Factory-configurable for either 110 V/60 Hz (North America, Japan) or 220 V/50 Hz (EU, APAC) operation without external transformers or voltage converters.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Rocker 320 is designed for continuous-duty, low-to-medium pressure applications (maximum discharge pressure: 7 bar / 100 psi) with flow rates up to 24 L/min at atmospheric intake. It complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC Emission), IEC 61000-6-2 (Immunity), and meets essential safety requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. CE marking confirms conformity with EN 60335-1 (Household and Similar Electrical Appliances) and EN 60335-2-89 (Particular Requirements for Compressors). CSA certification validates compliance with CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-1 and UL 60335-1 for use in Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations where flammable vapors are not normally present. While not rated for medical gas production per ISO 8573-9 or USP , it satisfies GLP-aligned air supply requirements for non-invasive lab processes such as membrane filtration, aquarium oxygenation, and vacuum oven purging.

Software & Data Management

The Rocker 320 is a standalone analog device with no embedded firmware, digital interface, or remote monitoring capability. Its operational status is indicated via front-panel LED (power-on) and mechanical pressure gauge (0–10 bar). As a Class A laboratory utility device, it does not generate electronic records, nor does it require FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails. However, its predictable duty cycle (duty rating: S1 continuous), consistent pressure regulation, and absence of software dependencies make it highly suitable for environments governed by ISO/IEC 17025 or GxP frameworks where instrument qualification focuses on mechanical repeatability, thermal stability, and documented preventive maintenance (e.g., annual filter replacement and diaphragm integrity inspection).

Applications

• Positive-pressure filtration systems for sterile solvent transfer or microbiological membrane filtration (e.g., Millipore® Steriflip®, Nalgene® Rapid-Flow™)
• Aquatic research setups requiring dissolved oxygen enrichment in recirculating aquaria, bioreactors, or sediment microcosms
• Gas supply for environmental chambers, CO₂ incubators (backup air source), or pneumatic actuators in custom-built lab automation
• Purging inert gas lines prior to GC or HPLC system startup
• Low-flow air agitation in enzymatic reaction vessels or ELISA plate washers

FAQ

Is the Rocker 320 certified for use in cleanrooms?
It is not ISO 14644-classified, but its oil-free output and integrated filtration meet baseline air purity requirements for ISO Class 7–8 environments when paired with additional point-of-use HEPA filtration.
What is the expected service life of the diaphragm assembly?
Under typical lab usage (≤8 hrs/day, ambient temperature ≤35 °C), the diaphragm set maintains performance for ≥15,000 hours; ROCKER recommends scheduled replacement every 24 months as part of preventive maintenance.
Can this compressor be used for vacuum generation?
No—the Rocker 320 is a unidirectional positive-pressure device; it is not configured for reverse suction operation or vacuum duty.
Does it support pressure regulation or automatic start/stop control?
It operates in fixed-run mode only; external pressure switches or solenoid valves must be added for demand-based cycling.
Are replacement filters and diaphragm kits available through authorized distributors?
Yes—ROCKER part numbers RKF-320-F (filter cartridge) and RKD-320-D (diaphragm kit) are stocked globally and compatible with all Rocker 320 units manufactured after 2018.