I haven’t done a spotlight in a while, so buckle up. In these, I pull from the dozens of phone calls or emails and walk you through how we on the Application Engineering team select a product for a specific application!
In this week’s spotlight, we focus on a common scenario rather than an unusual application. Engaging in conversations about this topic is something we do frequently throughout the day here at EXAIR. CNC machines generate a significant amount of chips, and without an efficient management system, these chips can pose serious challenges. In this particular case, the customer operated a CNC machine equipped with two interchanging tombstones, allowing for one to be unloaded and loaded while the other remained within the machining envelope. This created a large issue when the fixtures and parts came out of the machining envelope where the chip management was located as the entire fixture and parts were covered in chips.
The solution we landed on was the EXAIR 55 Gallon Chip vac system. The operator would use the aluminum pick-up wand to clear the chips away prior to unloading the fixture. And since they dispose of their chips in 55 gallon drums, they just switch the top over to an empty drum and roll the full one to their recycling room.
EXAIR’s Chip Vac is a compressed air operated industrial duty vacuum designed specifically for vacuuming up chips and shavings. The powerful vacuum is suitable for use with metal, wood, or plastic chips and is designed to thread into the 2” NPT bung on standard drum lids. The Chip Vac can handle dry or wet chips from fixtures, floors and work surfaces of machining centers, lathes, saws, mills, and a variety of other industrial equipment.
Electrically powered vacuums or shop vacs are not designed to be operated in a rugged industrial environment. Filters clog, motors wear out, and you find yourself frequently replacing them. EXAIR’s Chip Vac has NO moving parts to wear out, doesn’t require maintenance, and needs nothing but a source of compressed air to operate. In addition, the sound level produced is half of that produced by an electric vacuum.
The Chip Vac is sold in systems both with and without the drum. EXAIR has 5, 30, 55, and 110 gallon systems available for a wide range of applications. If you already have spare drums in your facility, the Chip Vac is also available with just the lid assembly, Chip Vac, 10’ hose, tools, and filter bag to attach to the top of your own drums. All systems will include a drum lid with a locking right that easily fits onto the top of a standard open-top drum. It’s easy to remove and place onto another drum so that different materials can be easily kept separate for recycling. Recycling companies will pay a premium price for pre-sorted chips and shavings.
With the Chip Vac, it’s as easy as removing the lid and placing it onto a new drum in between jobs. Don’t waste your time fooling with and replacing electrical vacuum systems. Get yourself a vacuum designed for the job. One that will last you year after year!
Get in contact with an Application Engineer today to discuss how EXAIR can help solve your industrial vacuum needs with a maintenance-free product, shipped from stock the same day.
Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
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TombStone Image courtesy of Siemens PLM via creative commons
