A:Wear and tear
Airless diaphragm pumps are “permanent rotors” which pump non-stop, whereas piston pumps only work when
pressure is required. This should result in a higher wear on the components of diaphragm pumps since the mechanical stress on the components is higher than for the “smart pump”. Many component installed on a piston pump do not exist at all on a diaphragm pump. Components that do not exist can not be broken. This applies in particular to electronic components on piston pumps such as the circuit board, the pressure sensor and the digital display for pressure display.
B:Cost of maintenance and repair
A diaphragm pump in subject to higher wear on its components, hence a higher risk of damage through constant mechanical strain. However, the diaphragm pump is simply constructed. This makes it easier to maintain and repair, and minor problems can be solved by the users themselves. Electric piston pumps have a lot more electronic components, which usually have to be changed in the event of damage by a professional.
C: Applications:
Lacquers and small quantities of material in general
When processing lacquers, glazes and in general small quantities of material, diaphragm pumps probably have a slight edge over piston pumps. The material in usually put in from above into the spraying unit. In most diaphragm pump models, a material funnel can be screwed on directly for processing small quantities of paint. As a result, the path of the paint is particularly short, and as little material as possible is required for filling and operating the paint spraying device. In the processing of small quantities of material, 1.5 l for example, a short material path is advantageous since less paint is required to fill the spraying device. In the case of piston pumps, suction is usually carried out from below, so that funnels are usually connected to the piston pump via an additional material tube, and thus more paint is required for filling.
Diaphragm pump as a combo unit for varnish and emulsion paint
The use of Airless diaphragm pumps is also suitable for those who want to use a paint spraying unit to apply varnish and
dispersion paints, since diaphragm pumps can be quickly converted and equipped with a funnel for small quantities. diaphragm pumps have an advantage when the processing of small quantities of less than 5 liters, and this is often the
case with residential sanitation and the painting of radiators, windows and doors. Of course, there are also suitable electric piston pumps for these application areas, but if you usually work with lacquer and emulsion paint you will be better off with a diaphragm pump.
Piston pumps for highly viscous materials such as plaster or bitumen
Both diaphragm pumps and piston pumps can be used for lacquers, glazes, emulsion, mineral or latex paints. For highly viscous materials such as fire protection, bitumen or filler, it looks very different. Piston pump technology should be used here since these working areas require performance values and capabilities beyond those of most diaphragm pumps.