Month: September 2013

Today In History…I Wish…

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

A lot of folks are reminiscing today about where they were, what they were doing, etc., when they heard the news on September 11th. I remember it well…I was at Great Lakes Recruit Training Center. My whole boot camp company consisted of young men from the Cincinnati area – it was a special thing the Naval Recruiting Command did with the Cincinnati Reds…we had all been sworn in just a month earlier, before a ball game, in left field, at Riverfront Stadium. So, when Pete Rose got his 4,192nd career hit on September 11, 1985, Chief Floyd came in to let us know about it, even though he was thoroughly disgusted with our worthlessness, which he also reminded us of (quite colorfully, as was his custom.)

Of course, most people aren’t thinking about that today. I’ll never forget arriving at work on the morning of September 11, 2001.  Dan was looking at grainy internet pictures of a smoky hole in the side of WTC Tower 1, and Tom turned on the radio that he kept in our office, just in time to get the report of the plane hitting Tower 2. But sometimes, I wish that date was all about the Coronation of The Hit King. I want to think that would be the case, even if I wasn’t a life-long Reds fan who grew up in the Big Red Machine era, when Pete accumulated most of those hits.

It got me thinking: I wonder if, in 1941, anyone lamented the fact that American History buffs would forget that December 7th was the date that the Marquis de Lafayette joined the Continental Army (1776), or that it was the day that Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution (1787)? Or that aficionados of the “Old West” wouldn’t remember that Jesse James robbed his first bank on that date (1869)?  I kind of hope so.

Today is certainly, absolutely, without a doubt, the time to honor the memories of the innocent people who were murdered in a grotesque act of evil. The first responders who sacrificed their lives to rescue others that day must never be forgotten. Our collective resolve in the following days was a crowning achievement in the history of nations. Today is aptly named Patriot Day, and I’m a little more cognizant of how proud I am to be an American right now.

But I still wish it just made me think about baseball.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
(513)671-3322 local
(800)923-9247 toll free
(513)671-3363 fax
Web: http://www.exair.com
Blog: http://blog.exair.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/exair_rb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair

Super Ion Air Knife used on Inspection Machine

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

Normally, when we talk about applications, we like to mention ones that come across relatively recently. However, when I re-visited this client, their application was very straight forward and simple, the best kind.

This particular customer is a long-standing customer for us. They manufacture a variety of machines that have to do with in-process inspection. This particular project for which they use our model 111130 30” Super Ion Air Knife System is a visual inspection system used in medical manufacturing industry to inspect catheters of various types. The inspection system is actually a back-lit table on which the customer wants to keep at a neutral static level to keep from having discharges to personnel and to the product.

100_3868 (800x600)

The units pictured above have just passed inspection and are awaiting packaging.

Neal Raker, Application Engineer
nealraker@exair.com

Preventing Hearing Loss with Engineered Nozzles

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My latest hearing test shows that I have had some hearing loss. Some would say that it could be contributed to 43 years of marriage. Others would say it was too many rock concerts. Its more likely from my exposure to loud machinery.

Every year, approximately 30 million people in the United States are  exposed to hazardous noise in the workplace. Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Thousands of workers every year suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. Since 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss. In 2009 alone, BLS reported more than 21,000 hearing loss cases.

Exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Neither surgery nor a hearing aid can help correct this type of hearing loss. Short term exposure to loud noise can also cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a ringing in your ears (tinnitus). These short-term problems may go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noisy area. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss. (ref. dept. of labor)

In previous posts I talked about the compressed air savings EXAIR’s engineered nozzles produced. But, they not only save air, they also provide a significant noise reduction. An open 1/4″ copper tube will exceed 100 dBA.  EXAIR engineered nozzles will operate at a quiet 71 dBA.Capture

I did an application for an automotive plant with transfer machines milling and drilling engine blocks. The noise was intense; hearing protection was required the moment you walked into the facility.  We retrofitted their entire plant blow offs with super nozzles and air knives. The sound levels of the environment were reduced so much, that hearing protection was no longer required.

A month after the nozzles were installed, I got a call from the corporate facilities manager. He asked me what is was I did in that plant because he was able to take a 100 horsepower air compressor offline; sound reduction AND air savings!

This is just one story of many where EXAIR has been able to conserve compressed air and provide a safer working environment.

We would like to help you with your compressed air projects. Call our engineers at 1-800-903-9247

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

Finally, A Victory

Published on by Dave WoernerLeave a comment

Last week EXAIR’s softball team finally triumphed.  In our ninth game, we finally got our first win.  After being shellacked the week before it was a much needed win for morale.  We were able to bat around in the first inning and put up a total of nineteen runs in the game.  The starting pitcher recorded five strikeouts and gave up ten runs, but at least five of those runs were unearned.  I felt great to finally put a good game together, and we hope to carry it into next week when we have our first double header.

Cropped Scoreboard

The truth is that the team we beat was playing their first game together at this park, and they made many of the same mistakes we had made in the past eight weeks.  There were a couple of missed infield flies and some ill advised throws to first base that ended with the ball in right field.  This allowed us to score a few extra runs.  The other team also had some trouble with the rules.  To keep the game moving, we play two strikes for an out, and three balls for a walk.  Our opponents struck out a number of times, which made it easier for us to get out of the innings, something we have struggled with in the past.  Playing a game against a beginning team showed us how far we had come.  Hopefully, we continue to get better through the next six or seven weeks, so we can be more competitive next spring.

Just as it is being the newest Application Engineer at EXAIR – I’ll keep trying to improve (while waiting for the next new Application Engineer to show me how far I’ve come).

Dave Woerner
Application Engineer
davewoerner@exair.com
@EXAIR_DW
Losing A Game But You Still Consider It A Win (exair.com)