Category: Static Elimination

On Demand Ionization with the Gen4 Ion Air Jet

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

Static can be a big issue, whether it is shocking operators, causing jamming of machines, or collection of dirt and debris. This is especially true in the colder months. At EXAIR we have a wide range of Static Eliminators that can handle just about every static problem. However, sometimes the issue can be concentrated in smaller areas, and the solution needs to be more precise. For these types of situations, our Gen4 Ion Air Jet is perfect.

The Gen4 Ion Air Jet is a combination of our High Velocity Air Jet, and our Gen4 Ionizing Point. The Air Jet generates a high-speed air stream using a specially designed Coanda profile. This design creates a low pressure at the Air Jet’s entrance, allowing it to pull in surrounding air at a ratio of 5:1. As a result, the Air Jet operates efficiently, producing more ambient air in its output than compressed air. Additionally, thanks to the engineered design, they produce a smooth laminar air stream that can treat a surface up to 15 feet away.

Due to the laminar nature of the airflow, the ions generated by the Ionizing Point will be carried by the air stream all the way to the targeted area. When operated at a pressure of 80psig, the Ion Air Jet is capable of dissipating a 5kV charge in under 0.18 seconds. Although for more sensitive applications, the pressure can be regulated down to adjust the airflow from a blast to a breeze.

Ion Air Jet

In addition to being efficient in its use of compressed air, the Ion Air Jet boasts several other advantages. Due to the engineered design of the High Velocity Air Jet, and the laminar airflow produced, the Ion Air Jet is very quiet compared to other compressed air blow off options. At 82dBA (when operated at 80psig), the Ion Air Jet is well below OSHA’s allowable noise level. It also meets OSHA’s dead-end pressure requirements.

The Ionizing Point used in the Ion Air Jet takes advantage of a shockless design, so it is safe to handle while in operation. As it utilizes the corona discharge method, there are no radioactive materials needed to produce the static neutralizing ions.

In addition to our standard Ion Air Jet Kits, we also have systems that combine our Ion Air Jet with our Stay Set Hoses, making hands-free operation even easier. Whether you are looking for a new solution, or looking to upgrade an existing process, give us a call and see if our efficient, low-cost Ion Air Jets can help solve your static issues.

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Getting Prepared for Static

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

Here at EXAIR we are finally starting to experience cooler weather. Over the coming weeks we will start to see the temperature steadily drop (with the occasional spike here and there just to make things difficult!). One thing that inevitably comes with cooler weather is static issues. Before we get to that point, it is always good to review what options we have to remove static. There are two primary ways to eliminate it — Active Static Elimination, and Passive Static Elimination. But which method is better? To answer this we need to know the difference between them:

Passive Static Elimination, as the name implies, gets rid of static passively. Typically, this solution comes in the form of a bare wire or some conductive material like copper, which helps create a path for the static charge to disperse. The benefit of this method is that once it’s set up, you can pretty much forget about it (well, sort of — we’ll touch on that later).

Passive Static Eliminating Bar

This kind of static elimination doesn’t require any power and has virtually no operating costs. However, the downside is that the conductive material has to maintain contact, often dragging along surfaces. This can cause the eliminators to wear out over time, meaning they will eventually need replacing (so you can’t completely forget about it). If your product is fragile, the contact from the eliminator might harm the surface. Plus, passive eliminators tend to gather dust and debris, which could end up on your product. Lastly, a passive eliminator struggles to maintain contact with objects of different shapes and complexities.

Active Static Elimination, like the Static Eliminators Product Line from EXAIR, provides several methods to effectively remove static from a surface without any physical contact with the product. This immediately addresses the drawbacks of the previously mentioned passive eliminators.

Gen4 Static Eliminators

If your product has an intricate design, the ionized airflow from many of our Gen4 products can be aimed to reach every part of it. Since there’s no direct contact, Active Static Elimination won’t harm your product’s surface. Plus, you won’t have to worry about contaminating the product because of this non-contact approach. In fact, our line of Static Eliminators that operate on compressed air is excellent at clearing away dust and debris from surfaces.

Lastly, our Active Static Elimination products are built to last and won’t degrade over time like Passive solutions do.

On top of these great benefits, EXAIR will honor a 30 day guarantee to test our products in your facility.  As well as honor a 5 year built to last warranty on compressed air products and a 1 year warranty on any electrical component.

If you have an issue with static that you would like to discuss, please give us a call.

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Banner Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay

The 30-Day Guarantee Gives You Confidence.

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

When you make a purchase, you want to have confidence that the solution that you’ve spent money on is going to work. With many of the applications that we discuss with customers, the solutions are tried and tested. If your electrical panel is getting too hot, then an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler is exactly what you need. If there’s static on your assembly line, a Gen4 Static Elimination product is the way to go. And if you need to blow off excess water from an extruded pipe, a Super Air Wipe is the perfect fix.

There are plenty of situations where the solution isn’t clear-cut. We believe our products can make a difference, but with so many variables, it’s impossible to just plug everything into a formula and predict the exact outcome. The only way to know for sure is to test. That’s where EXAIR’s 30-day unconditional guarantee comes into play. Every one of our cataloged products is covered by this guarantee. Once you buy one of these items, you have a month to really test it out; change the angle, tweak the operating pressure, or swap out shims. If you manage to find the right setup to fix your issue, awesome! If not, we’ll gladly take it back and give you a full refund! The only thing you need to cover is the shipping to return it to us.

A great example of where testing is key is our Line Vacs. There are several factors to consider: the bulk density of the material, its size, whether it’s abrasive, the desired conveyance rate, and the distance for conveyance – both vertical and horizontal. By using the data we’ve gathered from our controlled in-house tests, we’re going to be able to give you a solid recommendation on which model will suit you best. However, to truly understand how our Line Vac will perform with your specific material and operational conditions, it needs to be put through its paces at your facility. When you buy from us, you get 30 days to try it out risk-free.

At EXAIR, we want to ensure you are getting the best possible solution. Our 30-day unconditional guarantee is one way that we make that a reality. If you would like to discuss how our products can help with your application, give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Banner Image by Bruno from Pixabay

Press Release: New & Improved Static Meter from EXAIR

Published on by Tyler Daniel2 Comments

Static is one of those problems that is often invisible to the naked eye, unless it’s incredibly high and discharging to a nearby grounded surface. This is typically the exception, not the rule, so in cases where a charge cannot be seen, we have to use a tool to measure it. As the saying goes: “What gets measured, gets done”. If you don’t know the source of the static problem, or the severity, it’s often difficult to implement a proper solution. So how do we measure static?

It’s actually simple: EXAIR’s Model 7905 Static Meter is designed to take the guesswork out of the equation when evaluating static charges. It allows for an easy one-hand measurement of the static charge on the surface. This allows you to measure in numerous places in the process to evaluate the true source of the static. In most cases, the highest voltage reading will indicate the source of your static problem. Just this year, EXAIR released a brand-new Static Meter with an added LED light to help guide the user to the correct position for measurement.

The 7905 Static Meter is sensitive and responsive, indicating the surface voltage and polarity on objects up to +/- 20kV when measured at 1” from the surface. On the front face of the meter is an on/off button, zero button, and hold button. Accuracy of the meter is contingent on three critical factors:

  • The instrument must be properly zeroed
  • The distance from the front edge of the case to the target surface under examination must be 1” (25mm). Ranging LED lights help to ensure the correct distance. The meter should be guided towards the charged objects until the two LED circles are concentric on the target. This confirms a spacing of exactly 1”.
  • The target must be large relative to the measurement distance. It should be at least 5” x 5” for true accuracy.

When looking for a way to identify the source of your static woes, EXAIR’s Static Meter is an ideal fit. Since the method used to neutralize this static is also invisible, using a Static Meter in conjunction with any EXAIR Static Eliminator allows you to confirm and quantify the result of the products working as intended. To do this, simply take a measurement of the surface before and after treatment with any EXAIR Static Eliminator. After being exposed to the static neutralizing ions, the residual static charge should be neutralized and able to be confirmed on the display of the Static Meter.

Once you’ve identified the location and severity of the static, EXAIR offers a complete line of Static Eliminators that can quickly neutralize the charge and eliminate any associated problems.

Tyler Daniel, CCASS

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

X: @EXAIR_TD