One of the most important aspect of an efficient compressed air delivery system is effective utilization of compressor controls. The proper use of compressor controls is critical to any efficient compressor system operation. In order… More
316 Stainless Steel Products- Always in Stock
Metallurgically speaking, stainless steel is a steel alloy with the highest percentage contents of iron, chromium and nickel, with a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass, and a maximum of 1.2% of carbon by mass.
Stainless steels are widely regarded for the corrosion resistance that they exhibit. As the chromium content is raised, the corrosion resistance increases as well. The addition of molybdenum also increases the corrosion resistance to reducing acids and against pitting attacks in chloride solutions. By varying the chromium and molybdenum content, different grades of stainless steel are produced with each suited for varying environments. Due to the resistance to corrosion and staining, stainless steel is ideal material for many applications, especially in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.
The 300 series stainless steels are considered chromium-nickel alloys and is the largest group and most commonly used. Of the different compositions within the 300 series family, Type 304 stainless is the most widely used followed by Type 316, which has 2% molybdenum added to provide greater resistance to acids and to localized corrosion caused by chloride ions.
Table below shows the nominal composition by mass content for 316 stainless steel
Because 316 stainless steel provides a high level of corrosion resistance, resists pitting, and has good strength properties, EXAIR manufactures many of its products from 316 stainless steel material so that they can be used in the harshest of environments.
Of the EXAIR products these are available off the shelf in 316 stainless steel- Super Air Knife, certain sizes of Adjustable Air Amplifiers, numerous Air Nozzles, Line Vacs including the Sanitary Flanged style, NEMA Type 4X and Hazardous Location Cabinet Coolers. If you need one of our other products such as the Super Air Wipes or Vortex Tubes made in 316 stainless steel, just let us know. Of course we also have them made from Type 303 stainless steel, in stock and ready for shipment (and aluminum, too!)
And, you don’t have to wait months or even weeks, as we keep all of these in stock, ready for shipment.
If you have questions about any of the 15 different EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air® Product lines, feel free to contact EXAIR and myself or any of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.
Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer
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EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac™ for Dusty, Abrasive or Heavy Materials
When it comes to industrial vacuums, wouldn’t it be nice to have a durable, long lasting vacuum that is quiet? There is such a vacuum that has these qualities; the EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac System. This vacuum system has no moving parts, no motors to fail, or bearings to wear. They only require compressed air to operate.
The Heavy Duty HEPA Vac is used to vacuum dusty materials, solid materials, sand, and even heavier materials like steel shot. The vacuum generator is made from a hardened alloy construction to resist wear and abrasion, and it is designed to create a powerful vacuum level measuring -60” H2O (-15 KPa) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar). To accommodate the multiple types of industrial applications, EXAIR offers the Heavy Duty HEPA Vac Systems in three different options and in three different drum sizes.
The design of the Heavy Duty HEPA Vac is based on, like the name states, the HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. It has a 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 micron. We designed the filter to have a large amount of surface area by pleating the media. This will extend the life of the filter as well as retain very fine dust contamination inside the drum, not in the surrounding air. The HEPA filter and vacuum generator are uniquely designed to be incorporated in a modified drum lid that will fit onto a standard 55-gallon, 30-gallon, or 110-gallon drum (209L, 114L, or 418L respectively). It is also quiet, overall the noise level is only 82 dBA at 80 PSIG (5.5 bar). Measure that against any electric vacuum.
The Heavy Duty HEPA Vac Systems come in three different packages to best fit your application. The standard package comes with the drum lid described above and a latching ring to attach to your drum. It also comes with 10 feet (3m) of an anti-static hose, 20 feet (6m) of a compressed air hose, an aluminum chip wand, a hose hanger, a gauge, and a manual operational valve. For additional protection, the kit will include a Pre-Filter. This will wrap around the HEPA filter to capture the “big” items to keep the HEPA media filtering the fine particles. The standard package is available with three different drum sizes. For example, model 6199 is for the 55-gallon drum (209L), model 6199-30 is for the 30-gallon drum (114L) and model 6199-110 is for the 110-gallon drum (418L).
The next package is the Deluxe Heavy Duty HEPA Vac System. This option will include all the items in the standard option plus it adds the heavy-duty aluminum tools, a tool holder and a drum dolly. The upgraded aluminum tools include a floor tool, crevice tool, skimmer tool with detachable brush, and a two-piece double bend wand. They can be easily attached to the vacuum hose for quick cleaning of material spills. The Deluxe system is a great option for getting into tight areas, hard-to-reach places, and large floor areas. This option is also available in three drum sizes. For example, model 6299 is for the 55-gallon drum (209L), model 6299-30 is for the 30-gallon drum (114L) and model 6299-110 is for the 110-gallon drum (418L).
If you do not have a drum to use in your facility, no problem. EXAIR offers a steel drum in the Premium Heavy Duty HEPA Vac Systems. The Premium package has all the items in the Deluxe package plus a heavy-duty steel drum. We offer the Premium option for all three sizes as well. For example, model 6399 will include the 55-gallon drum (209L), model 6399-30 will included the 30-gallon drum (114L) and model 6399-110 will include the 110-gallon drum (418L).
EXAIR offers some additional items to adjust the Heavy Duty HEPA Vac to perform better in other applications. We have the Filter Protector which is a very inexpensive filter to help protect the HEPA media. For materials that are very light and buoyant, like powder paint, the Filter Protector can capture much of this material before it gets to the HEPA media. Another item that we can offer is the 20 feet (6m) anti-static vacuum hose. If you need to reach at greater distances with your tools to do a thorough cleaning, this hose can be purchased with your system.
If you get tired of throwing away your electric vacuums for burned up motors, you should try the EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac System. They will definitely extend the useful life, make it much quieter to operate and vacuum heavier materials quickly. For U.S. and Canadian customers, EXAIR offers a 30-day unconditional guarantee to try the units. Also, for a limited time. an end-user will get a free EXAIR Vac-u-Gun, a $112.00 value, with any purchase of a Heavy Duty HEPA Vac System. If you want to learn more about our Industrial Housekeeping Products, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR. We would be happy to help you.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
People of Interest: Daniel Bernoulli (2/8/1700-3/17/1782)
Daniel Bernoulli was born in the Netherlands in February of 1700. Mathematics was in his bloodline as the son of renowned Swiss mathematician, Johann Bernoulli. He and Johann’s brother, Jakob, both took jobs as professors at a university in Basel, Switzerland. Fittingly, Johann taught Daniel mathematics at a very young age. Daniel Bernoulli spent some time studying a variety of topics including philosophy, logic, and medicine. Daniel obtained his Bachelor’s Degree at the age of just 15, earning his Master’s Degree just one year later.
Daniel was well-known and was highly regarded among scholars throughout Europe. After spending some time teaching Botany, he switched to physiology topics in 1743. This continued for several years when in 1750 he was appointed to the chair of physics where he taught at Basel for 26 years. During this time, he also received a total of 10 grand prizes from the Paris Academy of Sciences for work he completed in astronomy, a variety of nautical topics, and magnetism.
Daniel is most commonly known for his work in developing what is now called Bernoulli’s Principle, which discusses the relationship between fluid speed and pressure. An increase in the speed of a fluid will occur simultaneously with a decrease in the fluid’s pressure or potential energy.
The air entrainment properties of some of EXAIR’s Intelligent Compressed Air Products can be explained through Bernoulli’s Principle. As high-velocity air exits the nozzle of a Super Air Knife, for example, a low-pressure area is created that speeds up and draws in ambient air at an astonishing rate of 40:1. The same also occurs with the Super Air Amplifiers, Adjustable Air Amplifiers, and Air Nozzles. To find out how you can utilize this advantage to save compressed air in your processes, give us a call. An Application Engineer will be happy to help assist you in determining the most suitable products for your application.
Tyler Daniel
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_TD
Compressed Air Pressure Regulators Conserve And Protect
Imagine you’re enjoying a nice shower. A cascade of warm water is soothing your body – and spirit – then, someone starts the dishwasher. Or a load of laundry. Or flushes the toilet. Suddenly, the “soothe” turns to “scald” or “freeze,” depending on whether you’ve been robbed of hot, or cold water. So, what happened?
What happened is, all of those “loads” on your house’s water supply that can ruin your shower experience are controlled by simple on/off valves…they open to permit a certain amount of water FLOW to pass. When the dishwasher starts, or someone decides to wash a load of whites, the HOT water from your nice warm shower is diverted, leaving a stream of cold water. When a toilet flushes, or it’s a load of colors, the COLD water is diverted…and that’s not just unpleasant, but downright painful. Either way, (in my house anyway,) a teenager is getting read the riot act.
The same phenomenon can apply in a compressed air system, if simple flow control valves are used to throttle the appropriate supply of air to a pneumatic device. If someone, for example, hooks up an air gun to blow off their tools or parts, the valves on EVERYTHING else will need to be opened up some to keep those devices working the same. In the case of an air gun like this, it usually happens too quick to make the necessary adjustments (by hand) and you’re probably left with a machine tripped off-line, or a ruined part.
Pressure Regulators can prevent this by keeping (or regulating) their downstream pressure to a set value. If a load elsewhere in the system is activated, the Pressure Regulator opens up, automatically, to keep its output constant. When that load is secured, the Pressure Regulator closes back down accordingly. Either way, no single load affects the operation of any others.
That’s only half the value of the use of Pressure Regulators, though. The other half is, well…the value. Just looking at a typical function of many EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air Products – blow off – they’ll all pretty much accomplish the task if you run them, unrestricted, straight off your header. That’ll give you a good, strong blast of air flow…and it may be more than what’s required, and a waste of good air. Pressure Regulators will prevent this by allowing you to “dial in” the supply pressure to whatever it takes to get the job done, and no more.
Compressed air isn’t free. Heck, it isn’t even cheap. Don’t use any more than you have to, and get the most out of what you do use. Pressure Regulators are one important step in doing this. If you’d like to talk about optimizing your use of your compressed air system, give me a call.
Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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How a Centrifugal Compressor Works
Continuing our series on different types of air compressors, today’s blog will feature the centrifugal compressor. The centrifugal compressor is classified as a dynamic compressor. Dynamic compressors are designed to work with a continuous flow of air that has its velocity increased by an impeller rotating at a very high speed.
The centrifugal compressor works by transforming the kinetic energy and velocity into pressure energy in the diffuser. The air passes through the inlet guide vanes being drawn into the center of a rotating Impeller with radial blades and is then pushed outward from the center by centrifugal force. This radial movement of air results in a pressure rise and the generation of kinetic energy. The kinetic energy is also converted into pressure by passing through the diffuser.
Multiple stages are required to raise the pressure to a sufficient level for typical industrial plant requirements. Each stage takes up a part of the overall pressure rise of the compressor unit. Depending on the pressure required for the application, a number of stages can be arranged in a series to achieve a higher pressure.
The most common centrifugal air compressor has two to four stages to generate pressures of 100 to 150 PSIG and incorporates a water cooled inter-cooler and separator between each stage to remove condensation and cool the air prior to entering the next stage.
Centrifugal compressors are the near middle of the road regarding efficiency, their typical operating cost is 16 to 20 kW/100 CFM. The most efficient compressor type is the double-acting reciprocating and costs 15 to 16 kW/100 SCFM and the least is the Sliding Vane which costs 21 to 23 kW/100 SCFM.
Advantages of the centrifugal air compressor:
- Up to 1500 HP systems are available
- Price per HP drops as system size increases
- Supplies lubricant-free air
- Special installation pads are not required for installation
Disadvantages of the centrifugal air compressor
- Costs more Initially
- Requires specialized maintenance
- Due to high rotational speeds (can exceed 50,000 RPM) precision high speed bearings and vibration monitoring are required
EXAIR recommends contacting a reputable air compressor dealer in your area to discuss your volume and pressure requirements to determine the best size & type air compressor for your needs.
Regardless of the type of air compressor you have, EXAIR’s Intelligent Compressed Air Products® can minimize your compressed air consumption, potentially reducing the size of compressor needed, reduce noise and still deliver powerful results! If you would like to discuss highly efficient and quiet point of use compressed air products or any EXAIR product, we would enjoy hearing from you.
Steve Harrison
Application Engineer
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Image Courtesy of the Compressed Air Challenge
Cold Guns for Spot Cooling or Replacing Mist Systems
By using only a source of compressed air, the Cold Gun and High Power Cold Gun produces a stream of clean, cold air 50°F (28°C) below your compressed air supply temperature. The Cold Gun is very quiet at only 70 dBA and has no moving parts to wear out. Just supply it with clean compressed air and it’s maintenance free.
How does it work, and what are the benefits?
- The Cold Gun uses compressed air to produce a stream of clean, cold air at 50°F (28°C) below supply air temperature. Generally this will be 20°F-30°F outlet temperature.
- They use Vortex Tube technology…no moving parts to wear out.
Instant cold air flow with no moving parts!
- Cold flow and temperature are preset to optimize cooling capability, and are non-adjustable to prevent freeze-up during use.
- Eliminates the expense of both the purchase & disposal of cutting fluids when replacing expensive mist systems.
- Removes the potential for health problems associated with breathing mist & vapors, and the safety issue of slipping on a wet floor.
Cold Gun Aircoolant System selection is easy & straightforward…we offer a standard, and a High Power version to meet your specific needs.
We also offer Single & Dual Point Hose Kits, to further meet the needs of your application.
One of the best applications I have seen with our cold gun came from a customer in Peru. They are a gold mining operation and they were having trouble with the liquid they were using to cool a saw. Read all about it here!
If you have an application that you believe would be better served by the use of an EXAIR Cold Gun, give us a call.
Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
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Overview: Adjustable E-Vac Vacuum Generators and Vacuum Cups
When it comes to vacuum systems, EXAIR manufactures a very compact and reliable product line called the E-Vac Vacuum Generators. As a simple vacuum pump, you only need to connect to a compressed air source. It uses a venturi design to generate high vacuum levels very efficiently. Since they do not require motors, they are low cost with a wide range of vacuum flows and pressures. EXAIR offers three different types, the High Vacuum Generators for non-porous objects, the Low Vacuum Generators for porous objects, and the Adjustable E-Vac Vacuum Generators. In this blog, I will cover the Adjustable E-Vac Vacuum Generators and the variety of suction cups that we provide.
The Adjustable E-Vac gives flexibility to your vacuum system to change the vacuum levels. The simplicity in the design makes it a great tool for lifting, clamping, chucking, and pick-and-place. The design also allows for adjustability. By loosening a lock nut, you can turn the body to reach different vacuum levels. So, they can be used to move both porous and non-porous materials. We offer four different sizes with vacuum flows ranging from 5.8 SCFM (164.2 SLPM) to 81 SCFM (2293.6 SLPM). With the Adjustable E-Vac, you can change the vacuum pressure to go as high as 25” Hg (85 KPa). Ideal for dialing in the correct vacuum for delicate materials or controlled clamping.
The Adjustable E-Vacs can be packaged in a variety of ways. The kits help to experiment with different vacuum cups to help determine the best fit for your application. EXAIR offers two types of kits, the standard kit and the deluxe kit. The Adjustable E-Vac Kit would include the E-Vac, an assortment of four vacuum cups that are matched to the performance of the Adjustable E-Vac, an assortment of vacuum fittings and 10 feet (3 meters) of vacuum tubing. The Adjustable E-Vac Deluxe Kit has the items in the standard kit above plus an Automatic Drain Filter and Pressure Regulator with gage. With both individual units and kits, you can add a muffler to help reduce the noise even more by adding an “M” to the end of the model number.
EXAIR also offers a variety of suction cups to attach to a variety of objects. We have the small round, the large round, the oval, and the bellows suction cups. With the different designs, you can pick up a wide range of materials, both porous and non-porous items. The vinyl material resists wear and distortion for many repetitive cycles. Here is a better description of each cup below:
Round: EXAIR has a small and large round style. This gives us a range of surface areas that we can target to help maximize lift. They can come either with cleats for heavier lifting and stability or without cleats. They work great with flat smooth surfaces for horizontal and vertical lifting.
Oval: The vacuum is defined by a skinny long area. EXAIR offers four different sizes. If you have tight spaces or selectable targets like opening a bag at the top, then the oval shape will work. They can also handle flat rigid sheets like wood, glass, cardboard, and composites.
Bellows: These suction cups are best suited for uneven or contoured surfaces. The convolutions around the diameter allow for the cup to collapse and “wrap” around uneven surfaces. The internal volume is larger than the other cups, so the release and attach times will be extended. But, for odd surface formations, they can come in very handy.
To combine the Adjustable E-Vac with the Vacuum Cups, how can we determine which ones to use in your application? Here is some information that we will have to know before getting started. I like to use anagrams for memory recall, and here is a list that I like to call MOST:
- Material
- Orientation
- Size/weight
- Time
Material will tell us if the object is porous or non-porous. Porous objects are items like cardboard, fabric, cement, etc. The material can have a rough surface or pores that will allow air to pass through or around the cup. The Adjustable E-Vac can have the vacuum pressure altered to pick up the material without damaging the surface. Non-porous objects are items like glass, metal sheets, and plastic. They have a smooth texture on the surface. These materials should use the highest vacuum pressure of 25” Hg (85 KPa) to hold the most weight.
Orientation will help us to calculate a safety factor. EXAIR’s motto has always been safety. This is important because we want to make sure that the object is secure during movement. We just need to know if the object is being picked up horizontally only, or if the object is being picked up vertically or rotated in a vertical position. Then we can apply a safety factor to handle the weight in any orientation.
Size/Weight is simple. The size is the area that we can pick up the object. In some instances, we may only have a small target area while in other applications, we will have an entire sheet. The type of Vacuum Cups is selected by this target area. The weight will determine the number of Vacuum Cups and Adjustable E-Vacs required to pick up large objects safely.
Time is for applications with cycle rates. If the job requires a set time to support and release in a known time frame, then we can determine the correct Adjustable E-Vac This can be used for leak checking, clamping, and automatic packaging.
The Adjustable E-Vac Generators are simple, flexible, and very reliable. As a vacuum pump, they are very compact because they do not use any motors which can wear out. If you contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR with MOST, we will be able to get the most from your vacuum system.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
