Tag: Accessories

You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure

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And this was never more true than in a conversation I had with the facilities engineer at a manufacturing plant recently. Their business has grown so much over the past few years to cause a move into a larger building. They took this opportunity to install some engineered compressed air products, and, with the brand-new building, they also got brand-new compressed air piping, which the contractor has just completed post-installation testing on, and it’s leak free. Good news!

They noticed, however, that the run time hours on their air compressors (which were in fine shape, and simply moved from the old facility) hadn’t appreciably decreased. The engineer was looking for another way to measure…and quantify…their compressed air usage, and was interested in our Digital Flowmeters.

Available for a wide range of SCH40 Iron or Type "L" Copper, EXAIR Digital Flowmeters are quick to install and easy to operate.
Available for a wide range of SCH40 Iron or Type “L” Copper, EXAIR Digital Flowmeters are quick to install and easy to operate.

Of primary concern during our conversation was, how could they track their usage? Would someone have to check the Digital Flowmeter reading periodically? What about intermittent uses? They have a TON of hand-held air guns throughout the plant…what if they read the meter when only a few were in use? Or if they ALL were in use?

There are a couple of options for that…our Digital Flowmeters are all supplied with both 4-20mA and RS-485 Serial connections, which are easily outputted to an appropriate device. You can run this right to your computer, and there are a variety of programs that will allow you to collect and manage this data.

They intend to install this Digital Flowmeter in the compressor room, though…and even though it’s well within the maximum distance for RS-485 serial – it’s good for distances up to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters,) it would be impractical to run a cable through the building.

Enter the USB Datalogger: this is going to allow them to “take a snapshot” of their usage, at specified intervals…in this case, every 10 seconds, which means the USB Datalogger will collect and store data for over three days. It has its own proprietary software, which you’ll use to set the frequency of readings, choose units & graph scale, high/low alarm points (if desired) and even when you want to start recording. This would, for example, let you record data on the mid-shift, without staying at work until midnight to start recording. VERY convenient, as far as I’m concerned.

Once it’s installed and running, I hope to work with them on the next steps towards optimizing their compressed air system…but we’re off to a good start!

Looking to "go green?" We can help.
Looking to “go green?” We can help.

If you want to talk about getting the most out of your compressed air system, give us a call. We’re here to help.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
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Video Blog: Repairing Automatic Drain Floats In EXAIR Compressed Air Filters

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If you have an Automatic Drain Filter Separator, or Oil Removal Filter, with a float drain that’s blowing by, then this video is for you. As always, though, give us a call if you have any questions.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
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First Time For Everything

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We’ve got a lot to be proud of at EXAIR. Over 32 years of experience in providing superior engineered compressed air products for demanding applications worldwide. A 19 year track record (we can only claim 19 years because it’s when we started keeping track) of over 99.9% on-time shipments. 35 Industry Awards (and counting) for new product excellence.

The thing I want to brag on today is…well, me. OK; not just me, but the whole Engineering staff at EXAIR. See, in addition to knowing the ins & outs of 192 pages of compressed air products and accessories in our catalog, EXAIR Application Engineers are well-versed in the situations where our products will…and won’t provide a successful solution.

Sometimes, a user is looking for something different. Same principle of operation, functionality, method, etc., but in a different size. Or shape. Or material of construction. And that’s where the Design Engineers come in…we’ll work together to determine the best way to apply all those years of experience and successful track record and solve your application. And usually, pretty darn quickly.

Case in point: I had the pleasure of discussing an application requiring a special Super Air Knife yesterday afternoon with a caller. Seems they had a tight spot that they needed to fit the Air Knife into, and saw that we had made a special flat Super Air Knife:

Flat Super

This design goes back about 16 years, and has been No, at times, for other applications as the need arises. Because of the large variety of these simulations, we’re probably already pretty close to the next simulation. I realized this was the case when, within 5 minutes of submitting my request to Design Engineering, the office printer (which sits next to my desk) started up, and one of our Design Engineers was on his way over to retrieve the print…of an approval drawing for my caller. Not to swell any heads around here (past our current level of well-deserved swagger, that is,) but this was just about the same amount of time that it took the caller to communicate the requirements to me, and for me to transcribe them into my inter-departmental request.

There’s always a first time for everything…and we look forward to each one of them. If you need help with a compressed air solution, give us a call.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
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If It Ain’t Broke…It Could Still Improve

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…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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