Not all liquid vacuums are the same.ย Have you seen motor burnout, loud noises, single directional flow, and potential electrical hazards?ย EXAIR manufactures a pneumatic venturi pump to remove all those issues, the High Lift… More
Top Ten Reasons Why Our Chip Vac Is Better Than The Industrial Vacuum You’re Using Right Now
According to a quick search for EXAIR blogs, it’s been over TWO YEARS since we made a Top Ten List. So, without further ado, from our home office in Cincinnati, Ohio, NOT Wahoo, Nebraska (if you get that reference, you can probably start asking about senior discounts at your favorite shopping & dining establishments), it’s time for the (drum roll, please) TOP TEN REASONS WHY AN EXAIR CHIP VAC IS BETTER THAN THE INDUSTRIAL VACUUM YOU’RE USING RIGHT NOW:
1. No moving parts: This means there’s nothing to wear out, clog, or break. You can run it all day if you need to, or you can turn it on & off as often as needed between uses.
2. No electric motor: Because it’s solely compressed air powered, you don’t have to worry about an electric motor (or any other electrical components) burning out. This also means there’s no risk of electrocution to the operator.
3. Direct flow action: The debris being vacuumed up is entrained into the powerful vacuum flow generated by the Chip Vac. There’s no impeller that the debris has to pass through, or around.
4. Selection of accessories: The Chip Vac System comes with a set of plastic vacuum tools and an aluminum chip wand. The Deluxe System adds a magnetic toolholder for a steel drum, and a drum dolly. Premium Systems come with all that, as well as a drum, and upgrades to a heavy-duty aluminum tool set and a static resistant 10ft vacuum hose. 20ft hoses are also available, and all the tools are available individually as well.
5. Quiet operation: With a sound level of only 77 dBA, they’re 50% quieter than typical electric motor-driven industrial vacuums.
6. Easy to move from one drum to another: This is especially handy for cleanup in a machine shop when different materials are being cut. You can have one drum for each material, and maximize your recycling payback.
7. Connect it directly to the vacuum port on a machine: Maybe I like this one because our shop’s chop saw is hooked to one, and it keeps the area really clean. Bonus points if you wire a Solenoid Valve in the air supply line to the on/off switch on the saw so the Chip Vac runs whenever you operate the saw…and ONLY when you operate the saw.
8. Debris goes directly into the drum: No constant heavy lifting & dumping of vacuum cleaner tanks, since everything is vacuumed right into the drum.
9. Safety & compliance: Our Chip Vacs comply with OSHA Standards, as well as the EU General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC, and meet the noise limitation requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 206/42/EC. Like all EXAIR engineered compressed air products, they’re certified to be Conflict Mineral-Free.
10. Free Vac-u-Gun: Who doesn’t like free stuff? Order a Chip Vac before May 31, 2026, and we’ll include a Model 6492 Vac-u-Gun at no charge. The air-saving Vac-u-Gun can be transformed from a powerful vacuum gun into an efficient blow gun or into a transfer tool for lightweight materials!
The Chip Vac is just one of our compressed air operated Industrial Housekeeping Products. If you’d like to get a jump on spring-cleaning, or if you’re just looking to up your cleanliness game regardless of the season, give me a call.
Russ Bowman, CCASS
Application Engineer
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Adjustable Air Amplifiers: Product Overview
EXAIR manufactures two types of Air Amplifiers: Super Air Amplifierโข and Adjustable Air Amplifierโข. The Air Amplifiers can be used to cool, dry, clean, ventilate, exhaust and many other uses. In this blog, I will focus on the features and benefits of the Adjustable Air Amplifiers.
The main difference between the Super Air Amplifier and the Adjustable Air Amplifier is the fact the Super Air Amplifier has a shim inside of it that sets the gap for the air flow. Force and flow for the Adjustable Air Amplifier is changed by turning the exhaust plug with a pin wrench. This will open or close the gap inside, changing the amount of vacuum and air flow. When the desired performance has been found, we have a knurled lock ring to hold the flow at the desired level. This is great for changing environments where needs are regulated to different conditions.
The Adjustable Air Amplifiers come in either 303 Stainless Steel or Aluminum and are sized from ยพโ to 4โ.ย We offer them in a kit which will add a filter separator and a pressure regulator to the mix.ย The filter will clean the compressed air, and the regulator will control the amount of pressure to enable you to “dial it in”, so to say.ย We also have a deluxe kit which will add another item, Electronic Flow Control, or EFC.ย This unit has a photo-electric eye to control a timing circuit to turn on and off the Adjustable Air Amplifier.ย This helps to save on compressed air usage.ย
The maximum temperature rating for the Aluminum Adjustable Air Amplifier is 275oF (135oC) while the stainless-steel version is rated up to a maximum of 400oF (204oC). The stainless steel version is also used for chemical resistance and food applications.
They do not have any moving parts, so they will last a long time and require no maintenance. Since they do not employ a motor, they create a laminar airstream which makes them effective and quiet. They use a Coanda profile to generate a low pressure on one side to entrain a large volume of ambient air along with the primary, compressed air flow. The Air Amplifiers amplify the exhaust air up to 24:1, making them very efficient for the compressed air used to create the output flow. They are designed to have hoses attached to the discharge or suction side if you wish to move the air to or from another location.
EXAIR has many uses worldwide where our Air Amplifiers are being used. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your application, you can contact the Application Engineers at EXAIR. We would be happy to help.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
How the Coanda Profile Drives Efficiency in EXAIR Products
In compressed air applications, efficiency often comes down to how effectively you use the air you already have. One of the most important aerodynamic principles that allows modern air-powered devices to operate efficiently is the Coanda Effect. This phenomenon is the foundation behind several EXAIR engineered products, enabling powerful airflow while minimizing compressed air consumption.
Understanding how the Coanda profile works can help engineers and plant managers optimize processes such as drying, cooling, cleaning, and conveying.
What Is the Coanda Effect?
The Coanda Effect describes the tendency of a fluid streamโsuch as airโto follow along a nearby curved surface instead of continuing in a straight line. As the air travels along this surface, it pulls surrounding air into the stream, creating a region of low pressure and dramatically increasing total airflow.
In simple terms:
- Compressed air exits a small opening.
- The air adheres to a curved surface (the Coanda profile).
- This creates a low-pressure area.
- Surrounding air is entrained, or pulled into the airflow.
The result is a much larger volume of moving air than the compressed air supply alone would create.
This principle was originally studied by aeronautical engineer Henri Coandฤ in the early 1900s while researching airflow over aircraft surfaces.
EXAIR Products That Use the Coanda Profile
EXAIR incorporates this aerodynamic design into several of its Intelligent Compressed Air Productsโข.
1. Air Knives
EXAIR Air Knives use a Coanda profile to create a wide, high-velocity sheet of air across the entire length of the unit.
Examples include:
- EXAIR Standard Air Knife
- EXAIR Full-Flow Air Knife
- EXAIR Super Air Knife
Inside these units, compressed air enters a plenum chamber and exits through a narrow slot. The air then follows the curved Coanda surface, turning approximately 90ยฐ and flowing down the face of the knife.
As the air moves along the profile, it entrains large volumes of surrounding airโup to 30-40 parts ambient air for every 1 part of compressed air.
Common applications include:
- Parts drying after washing
- Conveyor cleaning
- Web or sheet drying
- Cooling components
- Pre-paint blowoff
2. Air Amplifiers
Another product that relies heavily on the Coanda profile is the Air amplifier.
Example:
- EXAIR Super Air Amplifier
- EXAIR Adjustable Air Amplifier
Instead of producing a flat airflow like an air knife, air amplifiers generate a conical air stream. Compressed air flows across a circular Coanda profile that draws in large amounts of surrounding air.
This creates amplification ratios up to 25:1, meaning the airflow produced is far greater than the compressed air supplied.
Typical uses include:
- Cooling hot parts
- Ventilating smoke or fumes
- Circulating air in enclosures
- Removing heat from equipment
3. Air Wipes
EXAIR also applies the Coanda profile in a circular configuration for drying or cleaning cylindrical materials.
Example:
- EXAIR Air Wipe
- EXAIR Super Air Wipe
These devices create a 360-degree ring of air that surrounds rods, tubes, wires, or cables. As air follows the Coanda profile around the ring, it entrains surrounding air and produces a strong, uniform drying or blowoff action.
Applications include:
- Drying wire or cable
- Removing coolant from tubing
- Cleaning rods or extrusions
The Coanda Effect might seem like a theoretical concept, but it has a very practical impact on industrial operations. By carefully designing curved surfaces that guide airflow and entrain surrounding air, EXAIR products turn a small supply of compressed air into a powerful and efficient airflow solution.
Whether drying parts, cooling electronics, or removing debris from a conveyor, the Coanda profile allows EXAIR products to deliver maximum performance with minimal energy use.
Jordan Shouse, CCASS
Application Engineer / Sales Operations Engineer
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March Press Release
EXAIR, a prominent name in engineering solutions, has unveiled a new brand identity as we embark on our next phase of growth. This revitalized approach underscores the company’s forward-looking vision and commitment to innovation. With a rich history of serving the industry, EXAIR remains dedicated to delivering top-tier compressed air solutions. The updated branding embodies the same level of innovation and meticulous attention to detail that has characterized our company’s engineering and product design since its founding.
For over four decades, EXAIR has established itself as a leader in engineering excellence, product dependability, and enduring customer relationships. The companyโs new identity embodies its ongoing commitment to innovation and a forward-thinking approach, while also reinforcing its foundational values. Although the logo has been updated, EXAIR’s high standards remain intact. This refreshed branding signifies continued growth and enhanced capabilities, affirming our company’s dedication to providing industrial customers with the same quality and responsiveness that have defined its legacy.
From Kirk Edwards, President of EXAIR: “I, for one, have been staring at the current EXAIR logo for 26 years โ it represents where we came from and the hard work it took to get here. We have gained a lot of trust through performance, reliability, and our customer relationships under that logo. That trust earned will remain because it is, after all, the result of our people, customers, and commitment to doing things the right way. This brand refresh represents our strong and successful past while embracing new customer demands, emerging markets, and changing industries.”
The updated brand identity reflects EXAIRโs commitment to innovation and strategic direction in providing engineering solutions that yield tangible results. Customers and partners can continue to rely on the approachable expertise and reliable support that have established EXAIRโs strong reputation, now enhanced by a visual and messaging framework that embodies progress and creativity.
In the coming months, EXAIR will roll out the new branding across its digital platforms, marketing materials, and product packaging, with a public unveiling scheduled for the upcoming Grainger Trade Show. For further details, please visit EXAIRโs website or reach out to the applications engineering team for assistance and product information.
If you have questions about our rebranding, or anything regardingย EXAIRย and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk