Tag: air conveying

Custom Pneumatic Conveyors for Unique Applications

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

EXAIR’s Line Vacs, or Air Operated Conveyors, provide an efficient method of converting ordinary pipe, hose or tubes into powerful in-line conveyors.  To accommodate the wide variety of unique problems manufacturers face, EXAIR has the ability to customize and tailor Line Vacs to different specifications.  Certain processes may require customizations like unique sizes, shapes and materials in order for the product to be a perfect fit for their system.  EXAIR will work in collaboration with the customer to fabricate the best possible Line Vac solution for easy and efficient conveyance.

I worked with a customer to design a special Line Vac.  They needed 3” ANSI 150# Flanges on a 3” PDVF Line Vac.  So, we had a special material with special ends to suit their specific needs.  The PVDF with Hastelloy hardware was for chemical resistance, and the flanges were used to mount onto their piping system.  As with many of our Line Vacs, we can turn a normal piping system into a conveyance system for waste, parts, or bulk materials.  For this customer, they needed a backup system for a fume hood.  With electrical vacuums and blowers, loss of power or motor failures can cause a momentary lapse in fume removal.  Since the chemical material that was used in the hood was dangerous, they needed a reliable source to extract the fumes.  The Line Vac does not have any moving parts or require electricity.  The Line Vac only uses compressed air or gas to make it operate.  For this customer, they attached nitrogen to the special Line Vac to work when there was a power failure to protect the workers in the area. 

For customers with space limitations, smaller sizes can be created while still offering the same capacity for conveyance.  In situations where the Line Vac requires a specific flange mounting option, EXAIR can accommodate.  Locations requiring custom mounting holes, brackets or inlet positions are possible.  For applications where stock aluminum, or 303 and 316 stainless steel won’t work, alternate materials like PVDF, PVC or PTFE can be utilized.  Even in extreme environments, EXAIR can produce both heavy-duty or high-temperature iterations to handle even the toughest material or conditions.  Other details like the customer’s particular hose size, or pipe threading are specifications that EXAIR will have no problem accommodating.

Stock Line Vac models include standard, Heavy Duty, Ultra Duty, Light Duty and Sanitary Flange.  All versions can be customized with different connections and materials to meet customer’s specific needs.  If there’s a process in your facility that could benefit from a product like the EXAIR Line Vac, act fast! Now through October 31st, you’ll receive a FREE 1104 3/8” Super Air Nozzle as a promotional item with the purchase of any EXAIR Line Vac with a qualified order in the U.S.  For any help solving specific conveyance problems, you can contact an Application Engineer.  We will be happy to help. 

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Installation Made Simple with EXAIR’s Threaded Line Vacs

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

EXAIR‘s Line Vacs are a great option for bulk material transfer, or scrap or trim removal. They are especially good at replacing what we call the ‘bucket and ladder’ operation. Our most popular, standard Line Vacs are designed to be connected to a smooth bore hose for flexible conveyance. There are some applications where using fixed piping would make more sense. For this, we have our Threaded Line Vacs, available with threaded NPT connections, allowing you to turn ordinary pipe into a powerful conveying system.

Like with our standard Line Vacs, EXAIR’s Threaded Line Vacs use compressed air to generate a vacuum with the Venturi effect.  Our unique design generates high velocity airflow to create a powerful vacuum on the suction side.  Once the material reaches the throat area of the Line Vac, the compressed air will carry the product the rest of the conveying distance to the discharge. Your product can be transferred horizontally up to 100 feet, or vertically up to 20 feet!

We have models ranging from as small as 3/8NPT up to 3NPT for a variety of pipe sizes commonly found in an industrial facility. Our Threaded Line Vacs also come in a variety of materials. We stock aluminum models, suitable for most applications. We also have 303-type stainless steel where some corrosion or mild abrasion resistance is needed. For more critical applications, we also carry 316-type stainless steel models, often used in food and pharmaceutical applications. Finally, when you need to convey highly abrasive materials, such as sand or ceramic, we have our Heavy Duty Threaded Line Vacs.

We also sell our Line Vacs in a kit format which includes a properly sized filter, regulator, and a mounting bracket.  This adds value to mounting, controlling, and protecting the Line Vac.  Because our Line Vacs have no moving parts, you will not have to worry about any motors or bearings prematurely wearing out. They will be able to convey your bulk material for years to come.

If you are looking for a simple, low-cost and efficient way to convey bulk material, then an EXAIR Threaded Line Vac may be the right solution for you. Feel free to contact an Application Engineer to discuss your options!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

Send me an Email
Find us on the Web
Like us on Facebook
Twitter: @EXAIR_AW

Maximizing Efficiency in Material Handling: EXAIR’s Heavy Duty Line Vac and the NEW Ultra Duty Line Vac

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

In industries where moving abrasive materials is a daily necessity, reliable and heavy-duty equipment can make or break operational efficiency. EXAIR’s Heavy Duty Line Vac has long been a trusted solution to such challenges, and with the introduction of the Ultra Duty Line Vac, the bar has been raised even higher.

In this blog, we’ll explore the capabilities of the Heavy Duty Line Vac, and introduce the cutting-edge Ultra Duty Line Vac.

The Ultra Duty Line vac Conveying Glass Media

The Heavy Duty Line Vac is a compressed air-powered conveyor designed to tackle demanding material handling tasks. Engineered to move abrasive materials over extended vertical and horizontal distances, it outperforms standard Line Vacs with significantly boosted throughput—over 50% higher in many cases. Its hardened alloy construction resists premature wear, making it ideal for transporting materials like steel shot, garnet, metal chips, or sand, which would quickly degrade ordinary aluminum or stainless steel conveyors. Available in sizes ranging from 3/4″ to 3″, threaded or unthreaded, the Heavy Duty Line Vac seamlessly integrates with standard hoses or NPT threaded pipes, offering versatility for various applications. The Heavy Duty Line Vac is maintenance-free, with no moving parts or electrical components, ensuring safety and reliability in harsh industrial environments. Its ability to handle tough materials while maintaining low noise levels and eliminating electrical hazards makes it a go-to choice for industries ranging from manufacturing to agriculture.

2″ Heavy Duty Line Vac (left;) the new 3″ model (right.)

Building on the success of the Heavy Duty Line Vac, EXAIR introduced the Ultra Duty Line Vac this month, a game-changer for applications involving highly abrasive materials. This conveyor is optimized for wear resistance, offering unmatched durability and performance. Like its predecessor, it’s constructed from a hardened alloy, but its design is fine-tuned to handle even the most demanding jobs for extended periods by adding in a highly wear-resistant ceramic media wear plate. The Ultra Duty Line Vac moves high volumes of material with the same ease as the Heavy Duty model but with enhanced resistance to abrasion, ensuring a longer service life.

If you think a Heavy Duty or Ultra Duty might be a fit for your application, please let us know. Reach out to an Application Engineer, and we can help get you the right product.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

Send me an email
Find us on the Web 

Sanitary Flange Line Vac for Hygienic Material Transfers

Published on by Tyler DanielLeave a comment

The Sanitary Flange Line Vac was developed out of repeated requests from customers in the food, pharmaceutical, and dairy industries. For years, we built custom versions when applications called for hygienic connections, but the demand grew to the point where it made sense to make them a standard, stocked product.

This style of Line Vac uses ISO 2852 sanitary flange connections on both the intake and the outlet. These connections are common in clean-in-place (CIP) environments where systems need to be taken apart quickly for washing and sterilization. The design uses a sealing gasket between the flanges, which is compressed by a clamp to create an airtight seal. This allows the system to be disassembled, sanitized, and reassembled with minimal downtime—critical in industries where cleanliness is non-negotiable.

Constructed from 316 stainless steel, the Sanitary Flange Line Vac provides excellent corrosion resistance while maintaining the same performance as our smooth or threaded Line Vacs. For applications requiring even more power, the internal generator holes can be drilled to match the performance of our Heavy Duty Line Vacs.

Machine builders and end-users benefit from having a conveying solution that integrates directly with their existing sanitary piping. Whether you’re conveying powders, granules, or bulk ingredients, the Sanitary Flange Line Vac installs seamlessly into a system designed to meet stringent hygiene standards. It eliminates the need for adapters or makeshift connections, saving both time and hassle during installation and maintenance.

As with all Line Vacs, these units are powered by compressed air. There are no motors, no moving parts, and no maintenance. The result is a reliable, durable conveying solution that’s built for environments where cleanliness and compliance are top priorities.

A recent example involved a food manufacturer that needed a hygienic way to reclaim spilled rice from their process floor. By installing a Sanitary Flange Line Vac, they were able to automate recovery, keep the area clean, and maintain compliance with their wash-down requirements.

The Sanitary Flange Line Vac is a specialized tool, but one that solves real problems for food, pharmaceutical, and dairy applications. By offering it from stock, EXAIR makes it easy to upgrade conveying systems with a product designed for efficiency, safety, and the strict hygiene requirements of your industry.

Tyler Daniel, CCASS

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

X: @EXAIR_TD