Month: September 2012

Compressed Air Challenge

Published on by Lee EvansLeave a comment

A few of us in the engineering department are attending the Compressed Air Challenge today.  The Compressed Air Challenge is a seminar which highlights the operation and optimization of compressed air systems.  Being that those subjects go hand in hand with EXAIR products and practices, we hope to not only attend and learn, but to contribute, given the opportunity.

One of the subjects to be covered is the impact of different compressor controls.  Many compressors use feedback control systems to either throttle the amount of intake air supplied to the compressor (known as modulating system control or throttling), or to reduce the compressor displacement/speed to accommodate for system load ( known as variable displacement/variable speed control, respectively).

These optional control systems can save energy costs by responding in real time to the needs of the system.  For example, if a compressed air flow of 100 SCFM at 80 PSIG is required for 2 hours of the workday and after this initial use only 50 SCFM at 80 PSIG is required, a variable speed compressor can accommodate for this change by adjusting the speed of the electric motor driving the compressor.  In this example the motor speed will lessen and the required electrical demand to product the required compressed air will lessen as well.  All the while, maintaining adequate compressed air pressure and flow.  I’m looking forward to learning more about these feedback systems.  These control systems do the same thing as an EXAIR product, they optimize and save compressed air costs!

If you have any questions about your compressed air applications or how EXAIR can fit into your current system, give us a call.

Lee Evans
Application Engineer
leeevans@exair.com
@EXAIR_LE

Atomizing Nozzles: Common Questions About Viscosity

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

As EXAIR Atomizing Nozzles become more popular with our customers, we are getting a lot of interesting questions that folks have regarding the nozzles themselves and the information that we provide so the customer can make an informed decision.

One set of questions has to do with the flow rate information presented in our technical data for the Atomizing Nozzles. The question is, “What is the fluid that is being used to derive your flow data given in the charts?”  That answer would be plain old water (H2O).  The next question that comes is, “What if my fluid has a higher viscosity? How do I figure out the flow rate that will apply to that?”

The answer is that you will not know until you actually perform a test with your specific material. However, if you apply some simple logic to the question, a higher viscosity fluid is going to flow less than water through an Atomizing Nozzle. So, to compensate, you can select an Atomizing Nozzle size which has a higher water flow rate in order to compensate for a thicker fluid. A chart for viscosity of common fluids can be accessed here.

You do have options in terms of which style of Atomizing Nozzle you choose for the application. For example, fluids that have viscosity up to 200 centipoise can work well with either a siphon type or an internal mix type Atomizing Nozzle (an internal mix type can work with viscosity up to 300 centipoise). The siphon nozzle option is for applications where the fluid is not pressurized but is available from a nearby container (this can also be set up to be gravity fed type depending on the height of the fluid in relation to the nozzle). The internal mix nozzle is used when the applied liquid can be pressurized by a pump or perhaps by a pressure pot.

For applications where the fluid is over 300 centipoise, an external mix Atomizing Nozzle is the suggested product to use. Because the air and the pressurized fluid mix out in front of the nozzle, the liquid is not subject to the back pressure present upon it in an internal mix nozzle configuration. Therefore, the liquid pressure and air pressure are completely independent. This means a much higher pressure can be used on the high viscosity fluid to push it through the nozzle and be atomized.

The variety of nozzles available with different configurations, flow rates, spray patterns and abilities can be a little difficult to navigate without some help. That is expressly why we are here.  To help customers determine what they need in this range of product.

If you have been considering an Atomizing Nozzle for an application, please let us know if you have any questions or just want to talk things over to make sure you are headed in the right direction. We are here to help make the decision an easy one.

Neal Raker, Application Engineer
nealraker@exair.com

American Machine Tools – Yesterday and Today

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Early Bullard Machine

I just came back from the IMTS show where I saw lots of machine tools and new innovations. Having been in the industry for 40 years, I could not help but think of all the company names that I was familiar with over the years that are no longer the stars of the show. Names like Blanchard, Bliss, Bullard, Le Blonde, Kearney & Trecker, Acme Gridley have been become more or less memories of Americana.What is most interesting to me is the history of these companies and their founders. Do a little research on the internet and you will find their founders were innovators and entrepreneurs who gave birth to the term “Yankee Ingenuity” The machine tool industry is what propelled the American economy. And with unfettered freedom to pursue and develop an idea, America became the world’s leading economy.

Some companies may have come and gone, but American exceptionalism still persists despite all the social and political discourse. This was quite evident from all the exhibits at the show. I witnessed vision systems that control the process to perfection, tool bits of exotic materials improving machinability, laser cutters capable of cutting the shell of an egg without breaking it. It was obvious to me, that with american ingenuity, what were challenges are now opportunities.

Modern Bullard Machine

We at EXAIR would like the opportunity to assist you with your compressed air challenges. Give one of our application engineers a call 1-800-903-9247 and experience what we can do for you.

Joe Panfalone
Application Engineer
Phone (513) 671-3322
Fax   (513) 671-3363
Web: www.exair.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/exair_jp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair

EXAIR Products on Display and Demo at Industrial Processing Week 2012

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

EXAIR products will be exhibited by Spraybest Europe B .V. at Industrial Processing Week 2012. The exhibition will take place from October 2nd through 5th, 2012 at the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Spraybest Europe will be located in Hall 10, booth number F 019. Stop by and discuss your application with Mr. Robert Kottman, Mr. Edward Jansen and their staff to determine how EXAIR products and Spraybest Europe can help you. Products will be on hand for live demonstration.

Industrial Processing Week is the largest trade show for the liquid and solid process industry in the Benelux. The latest in the areas of industrial core processes will be showcased featuring many process and production innovations.

Neal Raker, International Sales
nealraker@exair.com