Never Think Your Idea Will Not Be Heard

The above title proved very true in a work experience of my father’s. After working in the mill for several years, he drew up a new piece of process equipment which would eventually turn in to something that they put in place on the production line.   This was all done from his idea that he was able to place on a scrap piece of paper as a drawing.   While he wasn’t the decision maker in the process, he was the person who saw what kind of impact this device could have and knew the people he had to get the information to.

That brings me to the topic of this blog, don’t ever think an idea is too small to warrant a reward.  This can ring true throughout any type of application, including compressed air.  There have been instances where a maintenance worker, or even a new operator, have called in to speak to me here asking what can they do to lower the noise in the work area when they are using the hand held blow gun the company supplies.   After talking to them about what they are trying to achieve with the blow gun and how much air they are currently using, we generally find that they can save a good amount of compressed air, lower the noise level, and become OSHA compliant, all by changing this one simple tool.   Once they have all the benefits that their company will see from implementing our engineered solution, they can then propose this to the decision makers.

For the most part, companies will at the very least entertain ideas like this.  When you back that idea up with some relevant data on how much money the company will save, or the fact that is will make the work environment safer and more enjoyable, then you will more than likely get a little more attention.  The main point is to ensure that you are getting that information to the correct person and that you have the correct information.   That is one of the many reasons that EXAIR has a full team of Application Engineers who can help you identify how much air you might be using, what products will fit the need, and what kind of benefits your company will see.   On top of all the information that we have available for free, we even offer the chance to get compensation for sharing application data with us.

EXAIR Efficiency Lab
EXAIR’s Efficiency Lab will test your product for force, flow, and noise.

That’s right, we will compensate you for sharing your cost savings, sound level reductions or application improvements, with us.  This is all possible through our Case Study program.  All you have to do to find out more is contact any Application Engineer.  We simply need some photographs of the application and some quantitative data for the benefits you have gained.  Don’t know what your current device is using, take advantage of our EXAIR Efficiency Lab, that will give us a good amount of information we need to then, help you solve a problem as well as produce a Case Study.

If you would like to discuss your compressed air systems or how we can help you, please contact us.

Brian Farno
Application Engineer Manager
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF

 

Durable, Efficient, and Quiet: EXAIR Heavy Duty Safety Air Guns

I had the pleasure, recently, to help the maintenance supervisor of a large, well known bakery with the selection of replacement air guns for their facility. He agreed to participate in a Case Study, quantitatively demonstrating the improvements realized by using EXAIR Safety Air Guns in place of their current ones. Their main complaint was the durability of the ones they were using: the trigger mechanisms routinely failed, and despite repeated contacts with the manufacturer, were unable to get the problem satisfactorily addressed.

In order to get accurate air flow, force, and sound level data, I asked them to send one of these air guns in for testing in our Efficiency Lab. Frankly, I was expecting to see an inexpensive commercial grade offering from a discount tool wholesaler. Instead, it was a heavily advertised product from one of the “key players” in our market. Not only did their product use more air than ours, it was louder than ours, and the trigger BROKE WHILE I WAS TESTING IT. I saw what our customer meant about the durability.

They’ve been using our Model 1310 Heavy Duty Safety Air Guns, with a variety of Extension Pipe lengths, for almost five months now. They called the other day to order some more, and express their satisfaction with our products. This made me think of two things:

*Unlike our competitor in this situation, we WANT to know if you’re not getting the most out of our products. I’m one of the most highly trained Application Engineers in this business, and I share an office with the others. We’ve got an unparalleled track record of successfully solving compressed air applications. Try us.

*It sure is nice to hear from someone you’ve made a positive impact on. If you’ve experienced this lately, you know what I mean. And if someone’s done something like that for you, you should go tell them. You’ll both be better off for it.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
(513)671-3322 local
(800)923-9247 toll free
(513)671-3363 fax
Web: http://www.exair.com
Blog: http://blog.exair.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/exair_rb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair

Baseball, Statistics, and Case Studies

Misfortune struck at the ballpark last night. One of my 13-year-old son’s teammates broke his ankle sliding into third base. He’s a great player, so he was (and will be) missed on the field, and he’s a great guy, so he was missed in the dugout as well. I fully expect to see him in the dugout at this Saturday’s game, though, cast and all…that’s just how great ball players – and great guys – are.

This leaves the team with a space to fill for another pitcher; one that my son is interested in pursuing. He’s only been playing Knothole Baseball for three years now, and most of these guys started six or seven years ago, in Tee Ball. But that’s not deterring him from pursuing advancement on the “learning curve,” and, if he applies himself like I’ve seen him do in just about every other area of his life, he can do this, and do it well.

Most everyone who’s familiar with baseball to any degree knows that it’s a game of numbers. There are, and always have been, recorded statistics for games played, batting averages, on base percentages, strike-outs, walks, and the list goes on…and on…and on. So, whoever gets that pitching job on the team, we’ll know how well he performed, to the second decimal point (that’s the degree of precision that Earned Run Averages, or ERA’s, are calculated to) by the end of the season.

At EXAIR, we’re interested in tracking performance as well. Our products have always been subjected to controlled, verifiable testing, and, depending on the product, we publish these values for air consumption, flow, velocity, force, vacuum, static dissipation, and the list goes on…and on. We even tested our Line Vacs for conveyance rate using several different materials, at several different conveyance lengths/heights, so that we could offer a ballpark estimate, for comparison’s sake, to just about any bulk solids conveyance application you can come up with.

We also have a Case Study Program: if you have an application that ANY of our products may be able to improve, and you’re willing to collect and share data with us to quantify those improvements, we’ll provide something in return.  If you’re interested, give us a call. If we can provide a solution to your application, save you some money, and publish a Case Study from it, I can’t think of anything sweeter, except maybe seeing a certain young man back on the field with his team as soon as his ankle will allow it. Heal quickly, #14…your team, and all their fans, are pulling for you.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
(513)671-3322 local
(800)923-9247 toll free
(513)671-3363 fax
Web: http://www.exair.com
Blog: http://blog.exair.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/exair_rb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair

Case Studies Library – See How EXAIR Products Can Impact You

EXAIR has again expanded the amount of information that is available through our website.  Now you can view nearly anything you need to know about our products and  read about applications and the savings or benefits they have seen.

That’s right, EXAIR has published and is going to continue to expand a Case Study Library.  This is accessible through our Knowledge Base section on www.EXAIR.com.   You do have to be a registered user in order to access the section, but registering is free and easy.

An example of the information you will find in the Case Studies is below.

As you can see you not only get to see a picture of the product but some will even have before and after pictures.  This goes along with the saying we like to use here, the proof is in the pudding.   Then on top of all this information we still will honor our 30 day guarantee.

Not only have we expanded the amount of information available on our website but we have opened the opportunity for you to share your applications and savings with us and get a benefit yourself.

If you have a compressed air application where EXAIR has been able to save air or better product process or quality, contact an Application Engineer and fill out a Case Study form.  Once the information has been confirmed you will be granted an incentive, discount, small piece of “swag” for the help.

Brian Farno
Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF