Month: September 2015

Twin Line Vac Solution For Transferring Alumina Desiccant

Published on by Lee EvansLeave a comment
LV feeding tank 2
The tank on the right needs to be filled and drained of alumina desiccant

The sketch above shows a 115” tall tank which needs to be filled and emptied multiple times with activated alumina desiccant.  The desiccant ranges in size from 1/8” to ¼” with a median size of 5/32”, and has a bulk density of 48 pounds/ft³.  The material has no fire or spill hazards, and poses a low health risk.  (We evaluate these characteristics with every application to ensure the Line Vac is a viable solution.)  The end user wanted to find a solution to move the alumina into the tank, and then a method to move it out of the tank.  Total material transfer could be as high as 1500 pounds/hour.

Originally, the end user considered the setup shown below.  This setup would empty the tank through the top, and then use the same Line Vac to refill.

LV feeding tank
Original transfer solution

What the end user and I came to realize, is that we could achieve full automation in emptying the tank by using a dedicated Line Vac with a slide gate.  And, another dedicated Line Vac could be used to fill the tank, preventing any toggling of the Line Vac orientation. This was the solution, one Line Vac on the desiccant fill port and one Line Vac on the desiccant empty port.

Because of the high conveyance rate and the requirement for a material which could withstand abrasives, model 150200, our 2″ Heavy Duty Line Vac made of a hardened alloy, was recommended.

If you have a material conveyance application and need a compressed air based solution, contact an EXAIR Application Engineer.

Lee Evans
Application Engineer
LeeEvans@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_LE

If It Ain’t Broke…It Could Still Improve

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

…Don’t fix it, or so the saying goes. Sometimes, though, we have the opportunity to talk to compressed air product users who are looking to redefine the term “ain’t broke.” There are, for instance:

*People with end-use compressed air devices that came with their machines, which “ain’t broke,” but may be louder, or costing more to operate, than an engineered solution. A prime example of this is replacing an open-ended blow off with a Super Air Nozzle. We’ve got (69) distinct products in our Air Nozzles & Jets line…we’re sure to have one that’ll install quickly and easily, with immediately noticeable improvements. Improvements including a more comfortable work environment from lower noise levels and a lower air consumption which will provide your compressor relief and save air for other or future applications.

EXAIR Model 1100 Super Air Nozzle installs easily on copper lines, with a simple compression adapter.
EXAIR Model 1100 Super Air Nozzle installs easily on copper lines, with a simple compression adapter.

*Expansions to processes, or add-ons to systems. We’ve helped out more than a few customers in the automotive industry – from manufacturing to detailing – who are now able to move more vehicles through by enhancing their existing central vacuum systems with EXAIR Model 6292 Vac-u-Gun Transfer Systems. They use these guns at work stations to deliver scrap and debris into the central vacuum system, the Vac U Guns have shortened the time spent removing scrap and trim by boosting the vacuum flow at the work station.

With three systems to choose from, we've got the portable vacuum system you need.
With three systems to choose from, we’ve got the portable vacuum system you need.

*Perhaps something “ain’t broke,” but it’s also not as safe as it could be. Our E-Vac Vacuum Generators and Vacuum Cups are perfect solutions for pick-and-place applications that keep operator’s hands away from machinery, while still allowing for the safe removal of manufactured parts. Actually, though, if the particular situation is “not as safe” enough to constitute an OSHA violation, we would certainly classify that as “is broke.” Call me NOW. I can help.

EXAIR In-Line E-Vacs and Vacuum Cups...ideal for quick, easy pick-and-place systems.
EXAIR In-Line E-Vacs and Vacuum Cups…ideal for quick, easy pick-and-place systems.

*”Bucket and Ladder” material transfer methods may be described as “ain’t broke” (usually by people who aren’t carrying the buckets up the ladder) but they certainly can be time and labor intensive. EXAIR Line Vacs have been solving these applications for years. From packing peanuts to steel shot (and just about anything in between…so long as it’ll fit inside a hose from 3/8” to 6”,) we’ve got it covered. Check this out and see for yourself:

Whether or not you’d call your current situation “broke” or not, if you’re thinking about it, I bet it’s worth talking about. Give us a call.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
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Full-Flow Air Knife Dries Copper Strip

Published on by exaircorpLeave a comment

Last week I was working with a customer who was using our 36″ Full-Flow Air Knife to dry a flat copper strip as it exited the rinse cycle of their process. The customer chose the Full-Flow design due to it’s small profile, making it easier to fit into the tight space available to mount to their machine. The customer stated that they flow tested the knife before installation and the knife “worked great” but once mounted, the flow was reduced significantly. They were thinking of returning the unit under our Unconditional 30 Day Guarantee but I offered to help troubleshoot the unit to see if we couldn’t relieve their issue(s).

Full-Flow
The Full-Flow Air Knife is available up to 36″ in either aluminum or 303ss construction.

When they tested the unit external to the machine they were using 1″ hose (our recommendation for a 36″ Air Knife) running to a tee, which stepped down to 1/2″ ID hose going to both rear inlets on the back of the knife. But when they installed the knife, due to space limitations, they reduced the main supply to 3/8″ tubing and plumbed only 1 inlet using a quick disconnect. This explained some of the low output flow with the unit. Using undersized supply lines and quick disconnect cause significant pressure drops due to their small inside diameters. When this occurs, you aren’t able to flow enough volume of air (SCFM) to the knife, which results in reduced performance and uneven flow.

The second issue was how they had the unit mounted to the machine. Wanting to keep the air inlets easily accessible, they mounted the face of the knife (the surface the compressed air runs along) right up to the outside wall of the machine, leaving just a small gap for the output flow and built a protective shield around the unit. The Full-Flow Air Knife will entrain 30 parts of surrounding, ambient air for every 1 part (SCFM) of compressed air used. With the unit being unable to entrain any free air, the output flow is further diminished.

How the Standard Air Knife Works
Illustration showing how the Standard and Full-Flow Air Knives operate.

After increasing the supply line to both inlets, removing the quick disconnect and protective shield and moving the knife back to allow for the air entrainment, the customer called back to advise that the strip was now completely dry.

If you are experiencing reduced performance or need help with the installation of your EXAIR product, give us a call at 1-800-903-9247.

Justin Nicholl
Application Engineer
justinnicholl@exair.com
@EXAIR_JN

 

EXAIR Continues To Bring New Products To Market

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

The latest and greatest news from EXAIR that you may have seen in trade magazines is our High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System.  While some of you may have seen these in the catalog and possibly even bought one before you saw this picture in a magazine, we hadn’t released them to the world through press yet. This latest addition to our Industrial Housekeeping product line will help you remove liquid from sunken pits, wells and below grade vessels. The High Lift Reversible Drum Vac provides up to 15′ of lift while pumping 38 gallons per minute! As with many of our other vacuums there are no moving parts to wear out or fail and they can be run continuously in harsh conditions. These vacuums are the workhorses of our Industrial Housekeeping product line and could be the last vacuum you ever buy! So stop burning up electric vacuum motors and take advantage of our 30 day unconditional trial to test it for yourself.

EXAIR's High Lift RDV makes cleaning out pits up to 15' deep easy and fast.
EXAIR’s High Lift RDV makes cleaning out pits easy and fast.

We generate so many new products that the magazines can’t keep up with them, that is unless you would want to see a miniature EXAIR catalog in the new products section of your favorite trade magazine.  So keep an eye out, you might just notice something that we snuck onto the web page or into the catalog without you noticing.  As long as our customers continue to have a need for new and different product, we will continue to support them and expand our product offering.  To top it all off, we will never bore you with the same press release month after month or year after year trying to act like a product is actually new.

Brian Farno
Application Engineer Manager
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF