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… More
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 company’s 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 – 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 EXAIR’s 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 EXAIR’s 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 EXAIR’s website or reach out to the applications engineering team for assistance and product information.
If you have questions about our rebranding, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk
Reduce Compressed Air with EXAIR Air Nozzles and Jets
EXAIR’s Engineered Air Nozzles and Air Jets offer an effective solution for reducing both compressed air consumption and noise levels during blow-off operations. Compared to traditional open copper tubes, pipes, and standard air nozzles, these products can achieve compressed air savings of up to 80%. This significant reduction in air usage also leads to a notable decrease in sound levels, with an average noise reduction of 10 dBA. Furthermore, all EXAIR Air Nozzles and Jets comply with OSHA standards regarding dead-end pressure and sound exposure limits.
EXAIR Nozzles are expertly engineered to utilize the Coanda effect, which enhances airflow by up to 25 times through the attachment of high-velocity fluid to surfaces. Compressed air is released through small openings in the nozzle, drawing in surrounding air and creating a powerful blast of high volume and velocity while consuming less compressed air. The company offers a diverse range of air nozzles, from the compact yet potent Atto Super Air Nozzle to the larger 1-1/4 NPT Super Air Nozzle. Additionally, EXAIR provides Flat Super Air Nozzles and Back Blow nozzles, specifically designed for cleaning tubes, pipes, channels, or holes ranging from 1/4 inch to 16 inches in diameter.
Our Air Nozzles are designed to comply with or surpass OSHA Standard 1910.24(b) regarding dead-end pressure at 30 PSIG. They are engineered to prevent dead-ending, ensuring that there is always an escape route for the air, which means the outlet pressure will not reach 30 PSIG. Furthermore, our products adhere to OSHA Standard CFR 29 – 1910.95(a) concerning permissible noise exposure levels. EXAIR Air Jets leverage the Coanda effect to enhance air movement in their environment. A small volume of compressed air is accelerated through an internal ring nozzle at supersonic speeds, creating a vacuum that draws in significant amounts of surrounding or ‘free’ air. The resulting exit flow is a mixture of these two air sources.
EXAIR produces two types of air jets: High Velocity and Adjustable, crafted from brass and Type 303 Stainless Steel. The High Velocity Air Jet features a replaceable shim that allows users to adjust the gap, thereby regulating the air’s force and flow. In contrast, the Adjustable Air Jet does not utilize a shim; instead, it incorporates a micrometer gap indicator and a locking ring, enabling users to modify the performance in terms of force and flow as needed.
If you have questions about our Air Nozzles and Jets, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk
Understanding OSHA and Compressed Air Safety: A Guide for Modern Facilities
Maintaining a safe workplace isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s the backbone of a productive and healthy business. One of the most common yet overlooked hazards in industrial environments is the improper use of compressed air. In this blog, we’ll break down what OSHA is, the specific risks of compressed air, and how EXAIR products can help you stay compliant while improving efficiency.
What is OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, established by the OSH Act of 1970. Its mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, and assistance.
Under OSHA, employers have a fundamental responsibility to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards—a requirement known as the General Duty Clause.
Compressed Air: The Hidden Hazards
Compressed air is a powerful energy source, but it carries significant risks if not managed correctly. OSHA focuses on two primary safety standards regarding its use:
- Dead-End Pressure (29 CFR 1910.242(b)): Compressed air used for cleaning must be reduced to less than 30 psi (pounds per square inch) if the nozzle is “dead-ended” or blocked. Higher pressures can cause air to enter the bloodstream (air embolism), leading to serious injury or even death.
- Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95(a)): High-velocity air can be incredibly loud. OSHA sets strict permissible noise exposure limits for workers during an 8-hour shift to prevent permanent hearing loss.
- Chip Guarding: OSHA also requires “effective chip guarding” and personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect workers from flying debris when using compressed air for cleaning.
How EXAIR Products Ensure Compliance
Many facilities struggle to balance the need for high-force air with these safety regulations. EXAIR specializes in “Intelligent Compressed Air” products designed to meet or exceed OSHA standards without sacrificing performance.
EXAIR Safety Air Guns are engineered to be safe even when used with air supplies at 80–120 psi. They feature specialized nozzles that cannot be dead-ended, ensuring the static pressure remains below 30 psi:
Model 1210 Soft Grip Safety Air Gun with Model 1100T Air Nozzle, operating at just 74 dBA—well below OSHA’s 8-hour limit. Featuring an ergonomic design, this Air Gun can be fitted with zinc-aluminum, stainless steel, or PEEK plastic nozzles.
Instead of using open-ended pipes (which are loud, wasteful, and unsafe), EXAIR’s Super Air Nozzles use a small amount of compressed air to entrain large volumes of surrounding air. This creates a quiet, high-velocity laminar flow.
- Safety Feature: Fins on the nozzle allow air to escape if the tip is pressed against a surface, preventing dangerous pressure buildup.
3. Chip Shields and Extensions
To meet the “chip guarding” requirement, EXAIR offers polycarbonate chip shields that can be added to any safety air gun (look for the -CS suffix on models like the 1240-CS). Extension pipes are also available to allow cleaning of hard-to-reach areas while keeping the operator at a safe distance.
Final Thoughts
OSHA inspections are often unannounced. By replacing unsafe, loud, and inefficient blow off tools with EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air products, you not only protect your workers from injury and hearing loss but also avoid costly fines and reduce your facility’s energy consumption.
To discuss which EXAIR product can make your facility safer, give us a call!
Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer
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Twitter: @EXAIR_AW
Banner Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Chip Trapper: Take Back Control of Your Coolant, and Your Productivity
If you work with CNC machines, lathes, or other equipment that uses coolant or cutting fluids, you already know the headache that comes with chip‑laden, contaminated liquid. Floating debris, sludge, and swarf don’t just affect coolant life—they cause machine downtime, poor finishes, pump damage, and unnecessary costs.
The EXAIR Chip Trapper™ and High Lift Chip Trapper™ are designed to eliminate these problems quickly, safely, and without the mess or maintenance headaches of traditional pump or electric vac systems. Here’s how this powerful solution helps you reclaim time, money, and consistency on your shop floor.
Clean Your Coolant—Fast and Without the Mess
The Chip Trapper uses EXAIR’s Reversible Drum Vac, a simple but powerful two‑way pump that quickly vacuums contaminated coolant into a standard 55‑gallon drum. As the liquid enters the drum, it’s forced through a durable, reusable filter bag that traps chips and debris before the clean liquid is pumped back out.
How this benefits you:
- Cuts coolant replacement costs by removing chips instead of throwing away usable fluid.
- Prevents pump failures caused by recirculating metal chips and fines.
- Reduces machine downtime—you can restore coolant clarity in minutes instead of hours.
- Improves machining performance by keeping cutting fluid clean and flowing as intended.
- You have options – You can pick what level of filtration that you want to achieve from 1 micron to 200 microns with additional, replacement filter bags. Systems come standard with 5-micron filtration.
Built for Real Shop Conditions
Your environment is demanding, so the equipment has to be too. The Chip Trapper is engineered for durability, reliability, and easy operation in any industrial setting.
Key features your team will appreciate:
- Runs on compressed air—no electric motor, no moving parts to fail.
- Works with your existing shop air up to 100 PSIG, with a maximum of 120 PSIG.
- Designed for years of maintenance‑free performance when used with clean, filtered air.
- Automatic safety shutoff prevents messy overfilling.
- Quick‑change filter bags make maintenance simple and efficient—no tools required.
Because the system has no electrically driven parts, it’s not only safer—it avoids the clogs, burnout, and unreliability of conventional electric pumps.
Easy Operation: Vacuum In, Pump Out
Using the Chip Trapper is refreshingly simple:
- Connect compressed air using the manual shutoff valve.
- Attach the vacuum hose and chip wand to pull liquid and debris from your sump.
- Set the directional valve to FILL to vacuum dirty liquid.
- Set the valve to EMPTY to pump back out filtered, clean coolant.
Most users love that the process is clean, fast, and nearly foolproof—no dealing with clogged pumps or slow draining.
Handles Even Tough Applications
The Chip Trapper isn’t just for coolant recycling—it’s an incredibly versatile cleanup tool.
Great for:
- CNC sump cleaning
- Removing chips from settling tanks
- Floor spill recovery (with optional Spill Recovery Kit Model 6901)
- Deep sumps or long fluid runs (High Lift Chip Trapper models offer increased suction for these situations)
Whether you’re cleaning up after heavy machining or maintaining multiple machines, the Chip Trapper keeps your shop safer, cleaner, and more productive.
Low Maintenance, High Reliability
Maintenance is minimal and quick:
- The safety shutoff float may occasionally need cleaning with mild solvent/detergent.
- The stainless‑steel pump can be disassembled for deeper cleaning if needed.
- Vacuum hose and attachments rinse clean after each use.
Because clean air is critical, EXAIR recommends a 10‑micron filter separator for the compressed air supply—when used properly, the unit will run for years without issue.
The Bottom Line: A Cleaner Shop and a Healthier Bottom Line
The Chip Trapper is more than a coolant-cleaning tool—it’s a reliability booster, money saver, and productivity enhancer.
Customers typically see:
- Significantly longer coolant life
- Better machine performance
- Reduced labor time for sump cleaning
- Lower maintenance costs
- A safer, cleaner work environment
If your machines are struggling with chip buildup, cloudy coolant, or recurring sump issues, the Chip Trapper is one of the simplest, most cost‑effective upgrades you can make for these processes.
Get yours today. EXAIR ships orders for Chip Trappers within 1 business day after receipt of order. They are available with a 30-day guarantee, so there is zero risk on your part. You can check out more about operational specifications here.
Do you have questions? Please contact one of our Application Engineers. They can help you determine if the Chip Trapper is right for your application.
Neal Raker, Application Engineering Manager
EXAIR