Get More Air Knife Options Than Anywhere Else: Sizes, Materials, and Shims

Published on by Tyler Daniel

EXAIR Super Air Knives provide a reliable source of high velocity, laminar airflow for drying, cooling, and cleaning applications. By entraining ambient air at a rate of 40:1, they increase the total airflow while minimizing compressed air usage, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution for a wide range of industrial processes. With lengths from 3 inches to 108 inches, and multiple materials available, there is a Super Air Knife suitable for nearly any application.

EXAIR offers more material and size options from stock than any other manufacturer. Available materials include:

  • Aluminum, which is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective for general industrial use
  • Stainless steel, Type 303 or 316, for applications requiring resistance to corrosion, chemicals, or high temperatures
  • PVDF, for extremely corrosive environments where other metals degrade

Aluminum and stainless steel knives are available up to 108 inches in length, while PVDF is available up to 54 inches. This broad selection means most applications can be served directly from stock without waiting for a custom build. In fact, all stock knives ship the same day to US customers who place orders by 2:00 PM Eastern Time, allowing production lines to stay running with minimal downtime.

For applications that require precise airflow adjustment, EXAIR provides shim sets:

  • Stainless steel knives include three .002 inch shims
  • Aluminum knives include polyester shims of .001, .003, and .004 inch thicknesses.

These shims allow users to increase or decrease both force and flow without replacing the knife, providing flexibility for different product types, conveyor speeds, or cleaning requirements. This capability can improve efficiency, reduce compressed air usage, and ensure consistent results across multiple production lines.

Proper mounting is also critical to achieving optimal performance. All Super Air Knives include ¼-20 tapped holes along the bottom for mounting, and EXAIR offers a Universal Mounting System for precise positioning on conveyors or machine frames. The system includes rods, brackets, swivel clamps, and hardware for easy installation. Correct positioning ensures the laminar airflow makes full contact with the product, maximizing drying, cleaning, or cooling efficiency.

In cases where a stock knife is not suitable, EXAIR produces custom solutions. Special options include:

  • Custom lengths to fit precise application requirements
  • Modified air inlets or additional mounting holes for unique installation needs
  • Alternative materials for applications with unusual chemical or environmental challenges

Manufacturing is handled entirely in our Cincinnati, Ohio facility, giving EXAIR complete control over quality and the ability to quickly produce both stock and custom knives. This ensures that even specialized requirements can be delivered quickly and reliably.

Whether your application calls for a stock Super Air Knife or a custom solution, EXAIR offers the largest selection of sizes and materials, the flexibility to adjust airflow and force, and support from experienced Application Engineers. We can help you select the right material, length, shims, and mounting method to ensure your system operates efficiently and effectively, saving compressed air while improving results.

Tyler Daniel, CCASS

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

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