Well, the obvious answer is, of course, an engineered air nozzle…you’re likely aware of this, or you wouldn’t be reading posts on the EXAIR Corporation blog. We have no issue with narrowing that down a… More
Solving Static and Increasing Print Quality on Food Packaging
A yogurt company printed bar codes on every cup that they produced. This was necessary for registering and tracing their product. After failing a bar code reader quality test, they started noticing some print issues during batch runs. They would have to stop their system, clean the inkjet printer head, and scrap product that would not register with the bar code reader.
This affects production rates, scrap rates, and overall cost. They stated that they threw away 30 to 40 cases per batch of yogurt due to this problem. They had an EXAIR catalog where they found a similar application within our Gen4 Static Eliminator product line. They contacted us to see if we could find a solution.
With non-conductive material like plastic, static is easily generated; especially during cooler weather. Static can be in a negative state or a positive state dependent on the material. For opposite charges, things are attracted to each other and will “stick” like magnets. For similar charges, they will repel each other. The higher the static charge, the stronger the force.
For the company above, the yogurt cups moved along a 7” (178mm) wide conveyor before they reached the bar code printer. This movement causes static to be generated on the surface of the cups. But, what about the inkjet printer? The function of the printer charges the ink droplets for direction and positioning. Since the ink droplets and the cup surfaces have the same charge, the droplets were being “pushed” back toward the printing head (reference photo below). Thus, the ink would dry on the surface and affect the quality of the bar code.
When it comes to removing static, EXAIR is a leader in this market. We have a large product line of different types of Static Eliminators. Our design generates both positive and negative ions to remove any type of static charge. Since we only had to remove the static from the surface of the cup, I recommended a Gen4 Ionizing Bar. With a quick static decay rate, we can remove the static right before the bar code printer with only one Gen4 Ionizing Bar. For this application, I recommended the model 8003 3” Gen4 Ionizing Bar and a model 7960 Gen4 Power Supply. Together, it was very easy to mount and start using. EXAIR stocks lengths from 3” (76mm) up to 108” (2743mm), and we can ship a solution the same day. When you are losing 30 to 40 cases, time matters. And for this company, they received the items the next day to correct the misprints and short printing runs.
When problems occur, time can be of the essence. This is why EXAIR stocks our cataloged items for fast delivery. For the company above, they had an EXAIR catalog which helped them to find a solution. If you would like to have an EXAIR catalog, you can click here to get one. After they started using the Ionization Bar, the static was removed, the bar code was clean, and the operation ran smoothly. If static is causing issues for you, you can contact EXAIR and speak to one of our Application Engineers. We will be happy to assist you.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
EXAIR Remains Open for Business
To all of our customers and partners around the world-
As global and local concern about the current COVID-19 outbreak grows, we’re doing our best to keep everyone healthy and safe in the workplace while also minimizing the disruptions to our day-to-day operations. At the same time, the landscape is changing almost by the day. New public restrictions are put in place virtually every day. The US is just entering the most crucial phase of this outbreak, if the lessons of other countries are any guide. We know that many businesses, especially in Europe, are closed right now. At the same time, our customers in Asia are beginning to come back online.
Yesterday, the state of Ohio issued an order requiring most residents to stay at home for the next 14 days and for most businesses to close during that time. That order takes effect tonight, March 23rd. After being able to read the order, EXAIR is exempt from it. EXAIR is involved in nearly every industry listed by the Department of Homeland Security as critical industries, and those guidelines were part of the basis for the details of today’s order by the state of Ohio. We know that is true through our many distributors worldwide as well.
Many industries that we support like food, pharmaceutical, medical equipment and related industries are absolutely critical right now. If they need us, we need to be there for them. The Governor’s press conference today stressed how important it was to everyone to keep supply chains moving, especially for critical industries. EXAIR is part of that chain and will continue to do our part to the best of our collective abilities and we hope that our partners around the world can continue to do the same.
Please take care of yourselves, your families and each other.
Thank you for all you are doing.
Bryan Peters
EXAIR Corporation
EXAIR Vacuum Generators and Accessories
So, you’re looking at picking out a vacuum generator for your application but don’t know what accessories you need? Well here is a little overview of EXAIR’s E-Vac system’s accessories that you have to choose from. The E-Vac has a variety of uses from pulling a vacuum on a chamber to lifting Concreate cinder blocks. Here at EXAIR we offer everything that you may need to get started; this includes mufflers, vacuum cups, hose, and fittings.
Every time I hear someone talking about trying to pick something up the first line that comes to mind is “The claaaaaaw.”. But sometimes a claw or gripper isn’t the answer for the solution; using a variety of vacuum cups one can practically pick up almost anything. We offer four different kinds of vacuum cups to choose from stock; available are small and large Round, Oval, and Bellow styles. Round cups are more suited to being used on smooth, flat surfaces. Oval cups provide the most vacuum due to the larger surface area making them ideal for lifting heavy loads. The Bellows style is best suited for textured or uneven surfaces; the folds provide a collapsible area that allows the cup to compress and seal on the uneven surface.
Next up is the mufflers; EXAIR’s mufflers do just that, they muffle down the sound generated by the E-Vac. There are two different types of mufflers that are available; these are the Standard and the straight through mufflers. The Standard muffler is designed to be attached to the discharge end of an in-line E-Vac and has a closed end. These are best suited for applications that are free from dust and debris. The straight through muffler is open all the way through and are more suited to applications were dirt dust and debris is present. The straight through style also offers the best sound level reduction, up to 26 dBA.
Lastly the E-Vacs have an NPT threaded connection that will allow for a suitable connector to be properly installed. From here different connectors can be used to attach the various amounts of vacuum cups. The connectors provided are Push-In Connector Type Fittings of assorted styles available with our polyurethane tubing to make the installation and plumbing a cinch.
If you have any questions or want more information on EXAIR’s E-Vacs and their Accessories. Give us a call, we have a team of application engineers ready to answer your questions and recommend a solution for your applications.
Cody Biehle
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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EXAIR Chip Vac Systems: Overview
When it comes to industrial vacuums, wouldn’t it be nice to have a durable, long lasting vacuum that is quiet? There is such an industrial vacuum that has all these qualities; the EXAIR Chip Vac System. This vacuum system has no moving parts, no motors to fail, or bearings to wear. They only need compressed air to operate. The Chip Vac Systems are very durable to clean surfaces, floors, and fixtures within industries like machining centers, saw mills, lathes and other areas. They can pick up solid materials like aluminum chips, wood chips, and plastic fragments. The vacuum pumps can generate a strong vacuum level measuring -36.8” H2O (-9 KPa) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar). To accommodate the multiple types of industrial applications, EXAIR offers the Chip Vac Systems with different options and drum sizes.
The unique design of the Chip Vac incorporates a modified lid that will fit on an open top 55-gallon, 30-gallon, or 110-gallon drum (209L, 114L, or 418L respectively). A 0.1-micron filter bag mounts in the center of the lid to allow the excess air to escape and to contain the contamination inside the drum. The large surface area of the filter bag allows for extended use before replacement while the high-efficiency filtration will keep the fine particles from re-entraining back into the environment. Under the drum lid, EXAIR adds a silencing hose which reduces the noise level and directs the contamination toward the bottom of the drum. With this feature, the noise level is only 77 dBA at 80 PSIG (5.5 bar). Measure that against any electric shop vac!!!
The Chip Vac Systems come in three different options to best fit your application. The standard option has a drum lid as described above and a latching ring to attach to the drum. It also comes with 10-foot (3m) vacuum hose, an aluminum chip wand, a hose hanger, a manual valve, (2) extension wands and an assortment of plastic tools. This option is available for the three different drum sizes as noted above. For example, model 6193 will fit a 55-gallon drum (209L) size, model 6193-30 will fit a 30-gallon drum (114L) size, and model 6193-110 will fit a 110-gallon drum (418L) size.
The second option is the Deluxe Chip Vac System. This option will include all the items in the standard option above plus a drum dolly and a tool holder. The drum dolly helps to move your drums to different locations. The tool holder has magnets to attach to a steel drum and to hold all the plastic tools. The Deluxe system is a great option for making your system mobile for other areas in your plant. This option is also available in the three main drum sizes like above. For example, model 6293 is for the 55-gallon drum (209L), model 6293-30 is for the 30-gallon drum (114L) and model 6293-110 is for the 110-gallon drum (418L).
If you do not have any drums in your facility, do not worry. EXAIR offers steel drums in our Premium Chip Vac Systems. The Premium package has the items in the standard option plus a variety of upgrades. It will come with a heavy-duty steel drum for all sizes. The upgrades include the heavy duty aluminum tools and an anti-static vacuum hose. The upgraded aluminum tools include a floor tool, crevice tool, skimmer tool with detachable brush, and a two-piece double bend wand. We also add a 20 foot (6.1meter) compressed air hose with quick connect fittings. The Premium package will still come with the drum dolly and tool holder. These can be ordered by using the model 6393 for the 55-gallon drum (209L) size, model 6393-30 for the 30-gallon drum (114L) size, and model 6393-110 for the 110-gallon drum (418L size).
EXAIR manufactures another type of industrial vacuum within this family; the Mini-Chip Vac System. This system is a self-contained unit that uses a 5-gallon drum which is very compact and easy to use in tight areas. We stock two packages, model 6193-5 and model 6293-5. The model 6193-5 comes standard with a 5-gallon drum with lid and lock-ring, 10-foot (3m) vacuum hose, the 0.1-micron bag filter, an aluminum chip wand, a manual valve, (2) extension wands and an assortment of plastic tools. The model 6293-5 adds a drum dolly to the package to make it mobile with wheels. Even with its small footprint, the Mini Chip Vac is very powerful and quiet. So, noise will not be a nuisance when operating next to the vacuum.
If you get tired of throwing away your electric vacuums with burned up motors or loud “dying” noises, you should try the EXAIR Chip Vac System. They will definitely extend the useful life, make it much quieter to use, and vacuum solid materials quickly. For U.S. and Canadian customers, we offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee to try these units. And as a bonus for end users, you will be able to receive a free Vac-u-Gun as a promotion from now until May 2020 with a qualified purchase. How can you not try them out? If you need help to determine which Chip Vac System would best suit your application, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
EXAIR operational status re: COVID-19 Coronavirus – update 03/17/2020
To all of our valued partners-
As global and local concern about the current COVID-19 outbreak grows, we’re doing our best to keep everyone healthy and safe in the workplace while also minimizing the disruptions to our day-to-day operations. At the same time, the landscape is changing almost by the day. New public restrictions are in place today that were not in place yesterday. The US is just entering the most crucial phase of this outbreak, if the lessons of other countries are any guide.
We plan to remain open for business as long as we have the choice. If circumstances or new government mandates dictate otherwise, we will adjust accordingly.
Here is what we are doing as an organization:
- We are closely monitoring the situation. Misinformation and fear can spread more virulently than the virus itself. We want to discourage false information from circulating. If you’re looking for trusted, up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the specific coronavirus websites of the CDC or the WHO.
- We have increased the level of cleaning in our facility, both in frequency and intensity, including disinfecting surfaces and touch points in public areas with hospital-grade cleaning solutions.
- We have split our on-site personnel into two shifts, with a one-hour separation period between the shifts for cleaning and sanitization.
- We have an increasing number of non-production employees now working remotely.
- We have cancelled all scheduled business travel for the months of March and April.
- Visits to customer facilities, even local ones, are now prohibited until such time as conditions improve.
- Non-essential visits to/from vendors or potential vendors and salespeople are also now prohibited until such time as conditions improve.
- We are urging our employees to stay home if they are sick or if they have been in contact with a potentially infected person.
- We have removed all communal food and drinks from our workplace.
In terms of our business, here is where we are right now. This is always subject to change as conditions change.
- We are open for business and operations are proceeding on a modified basis to continue to supply our distributors and partners around the world.
- We have confirmed, to the degree that we can, that we are not yet experiencing nor do we have any clear expectations of severe disruptions in our supply chain. We do have a couple of items that are out of stock currently, but those conditions are not a result of supply chain disruption.
We hope to continue operating, but our advice to our partners is that this is not a time to run lean on inventory. Commercial flights are being severely reduced. Freight carriers have already started to pare back their shipment frequency. And government mandates could impact these services, our operations or your operations at any time.
If you have need of product, we urge you to get your orders in as soon as possible and take shipments ASAP. If further restrictions on operations or orders to shelter in place are issued, we will not be able to continue operations no matter how much we are determined to do so.
These circumstances are unlike any we have faced during most of our lifetimes. Time will tell if the measures being taken are too much or too little. As the situation evolves, our plan will also evolve.
We will keep everyone informed of the road ahead as it becomes clearer.
Thank you-
Bryan Peters, President
EXAIR Corporation
Stop the Overheating Alarms from Your Electrical Cabinets this Summer
I’ve already documented my penchant for insanely hot foods in a previous blog post about my participation in a hot wing competition. Over the years, I’ve grown a few different varieties of super-hot peppers in my garden that’s led to my love for all things fire. In years past I’ve been limited to the varieties of peppers that I can find at the local nurseries.
This year I decided to take things a step further. I purchased a variety of both pepper and tomato seeds online and decided to grow them from seed, allowing me to pick and choose each type that I wanted in the garden for this summer. While it’s been a bit of a learning process and we’ve had a few fallen soldiers thus far, things are beginning to come together. It’s been a fun way to look forward to this year’s growing season.
It seems strange writing this while there is snow on the ground here in Cincinnati, but spring is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but I quickly see past spring and can start to feel the warm summer weather.
Once again, as summer’s hot temperatures approach, so do those seasonal temperature alarms from your electrical enclosures. Increased temperatures lead to heat related problems in your electrical panels. With summer coming along before you know it, the time is now to get a solution in place before it becomes an issue.
EXAIR’s Cabinet Cooler Systems were designed specifically to rectify these issues within your facility. Utilizing Vortex Tube technology, the Cabinet Cooler produces cold air from an ordinary supply of compressed air. This cold air keeps the enclosure free of debris and moisture and is easily installed in minutes through a standard electrical knockout. Here is a short video that shows just how simple it really is.
The Cabinet Cooler Systems are available with Nema 12 (IP54) ratings and are also available in Aluminum, 303 Stainless Steel, and 316 Stainless Steel construction for Nema 4/4X (IP66) rated enclosures. For systems that are not able to be mounted on top of the cabinet, we also have Side Mount Kits available in Aluminum, 303 Stainless, and 316 Stainless. This year, EXAIR also introduced a new line of Hazardous Location Cabinet Coolers for use in classified areas.
These systems are available with cooling capacities from 275-5,600 Btu/hr. To make things much easier for you, we offer a Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide that will allow us to recommend the most suitable model for your cabinet. With a few quick measurements, we’ll be able to determine the exact heat load that we’ll need to dissipate and offer you a quick and easy solution.
If you experienced heat related issues on electrical panels last year, or just want to talk about spicy food and gardening, contact an Application Engineer today and we’ll be happy to help.
Tyler Daniel
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_TD
Advantages Of Compressed Air Operated Industrial Vacuums
Last week, I wrote about the benefits and advantages of the EXAIR Chip Trapper System. It’s just one workhorse in our stable of durable and reliable compressed air operated Industrial Housekeeping solutions. All of our systems in this product line are compressed air operated, which means they offer several benefits that you don’t get with an electric powered vacuum:
- Our air operated vacuums have no moving parts. That means nothing to wear out & replace.
- Electric motors burn out over time, and have to be replaced. Not a problem with our products…if you supply them with clean air, they’ll run darn near indefinitely, maintenance free.
- Using electric vacuums in wet areas can prevent a very real risk of electrocution. This hazard does not apply to a compressed air hose, which is all it takes to run our products.
- Long, stringy chips can get clogged in the impeller & rotating parts of a motor-driven vacuum. Ours have no moving parts, which means nothing for detritus to get tangled up in.
Which EXAIR Industrial Housekeeping Product is right for you? It depends on what you’ll be using it for. Very generally speaking, here’s a brief overview of the product line:
- Pick up dry or wet chips and transfer them into a standard open top drum.
- Available in four sizes: 5, 30, 55, or 110 gallon drums.
- Turns your own 30, 55, or 110 gallon open top drum into a powerful vacuum system, in minutes, with a standard system.
- Add portability and flexibility with a Deluxe System, which includes a drum dolly and a Tool Holder.
- For a total Industrial Vacuum System, complete & ready to go right out of the box, the Premium Systems add a drum, a compressed air supply hose, an upgrade to Heavy Duty Aluminum Tools & a Static Resistant Vacuum Hose.
- For smaller jobs or in tight quarters, the Mini Chip Vac System comes with a compact 5 gallon drum. The Deluxe System adds a drum dolly for portability.
- Function is similar to the Chip Vacs, but the vacuum itself is made of a hardened alloy, and offers higher vacuum power for dense and/or abrasive material cleanup.
- Fits your existing 30, or 55 gallon drums for a quick & easy, basic high powered vacuum solution.
- Deluxe Systems add Heavy Duty Tools & Tool Holder, and a Drum Dolly.
- Premium Systems come with a 30, 55, or 110 Gallon Drum.
- All the power, durability, and convenience of the Heavy Duty Dry Vac Systems, but with a HEPA filter for contaminants such as mold, allergens, and other airborne irritants.
- Fits your existing 30 or 55 gallon drums, or Deluxe & Premium Systems add the same accessories as the Heavy Duty Dry Vac Systems.
- These are our drum mounted vacuums for liquids. They’ll fill or empty a 55 gallon drum in 90 seconds (tested with water.)
- Fits an existing 30, 55, or 110 gallon closed top steel drum in good condition.
- Deluxe Systems add a drum dolly, a Tool Holder and a set of plastic tools including a Spill Recovery Kit, for a multitude of cleanup needs.
- Auto shutoff float prevents overfilling the drum.
- Premium Systems add a 30, 55, or 110 gallon drum, Heavy Duty Aluminum Tools, and a compressed air supply hose.
- High Lift Systems are available for higher viscosity (ups to 1400 cP) liquids, or when pumping from below grade (180″H2O suction lift.)
- This same technology is incorporated into the Chip Trapper Systems, which (as detailed last week) trap incoming solids in a Filter Bag, allowing for instant pumping out of freshly filtered liquid. They’re available with the High Lift capability as well.
- Handy and portable, the Vac-u-Gun is a lightweight handheld vacuum, blow gun, and transfer tool, all in one.
- Collection System comes with a vacuum bag w/shoulder strap, extension wands, a crevice tool, skimmer tool, and round brush tool.
- Transfer Systems come with the same tools, but include a 10ft hose instead of the vacuum bag.
- All Purpose Systems come with the tools, the vacuum bag, and the 10ft hose.
- Deep Hole Vac-u-Guns are fitted with a blow tube for stirring up fine debris from drilled holes, where it’s quickly and efficiently vacuumed away.
Regardless of your application, EXAIR has an Industrial Vacuum to fit. Orders for qualifying systems through the end of May 2020 will include a free Vac-u-Gun. If you’d like to discuss your Industrial Housekeeping needs, give me a call.
Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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