Tag: hepa shop vacuum

How the EXAIR Chip Trapper Transforms Coolant Maintenance

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

In today’s manufacturing environment, efficiency isn’t just about cycle times; it’s about reducing waste, extending fluid life, and minimizing downtime. One of the most overlooked areas of optimization is coolant maintenance. That’s where the EXAIR Chip Trapper System comes in. Designed for simplicity and performance, the Chip Trapper offers a smarter way to remove chips, swarf, and sludge from contaminated liquids—without the headaches of traditional systems.

The Problem with Dirty Coolant

If you’re running CNC machines, lathes, mills, or parts washers, you already know the pain:

  • Coolant becomes contaminated with chips and fines
  • Bacterial growth leads to foul odors
  • Pumps clog and maintenance increases.
  • Fluid replacement costs add up quickly.

In many shops, coolant is replaced far more often than necessary—simply because there’s no efficient way to clean it.

What Is the EXAIR Chip Trapper?

The EXAIR Chip Trapper System is a compressed air-powered vacuum system designed to separate solids from liquids quickly and efficiently.

It works by:

  1. Vacuuming contaminated coolant into a drum
  2. Capturing chips and debris in a reusable filter bag
  3. Returning clean liquid back to the machine

This simple but effective process allows you to reuse coolant instead of disposing of it.

See It in Action

Key Features That Set It Apart

1. No Moving Parts = No Downtime

Unlike electric pumps, the Chip Trapper uses compressed air—meaning no motors to clog or wear out.

2. Reusable Filtration System

The filter bag captures solids while allowing clean coolant to pass through, reducing waste and operating costs.

3. Fast Operation

Systems can fill a 55-gallon drum in minutes, dramatically reducing cleanup time.

4. Complete, Ready-to-Use System

Available in 30, 55, or 110-gallon configurations, each unit comes with a drum and all necessary components.

Real-World Applications

The Chip Trapper is ideal for:

  • CNC machines
  • Lathes and mills
  • Parts washers
  • Sumps and tanks
  • Grinding operations

It’s especially valuable in shops where coolant contamination is frequent and costly.

ROI: Where It Pays Off

The biggest advantage of the Chip Trapper is cost savings. By extending coolant life, shops can:

  • Reduce fluid replacement costs
  • Minimize disposal fees
  • Cut maintenance time
  • Improve machine uptime

In some cases, coolant life can be extended several times over with regular use.

The EXAIR Chip Trapper System isn’t just a cleanup tool—it’s a productivity upgrade. By turning dirty coolant into reusable fluid in minutes, it helps manufacturers cut costs, reduce waste, and keep machines running at peak performance.

If you’re still dumping coolant instead of reclaiming it, it might be time to rethink your process. Give me a call and let’s talk about the application!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
E: JordanShouse@exair.com
O: (513) 671‑3322
F: (513) 671‑3363
A: 11510 Goldcoast Dr Cincinnati OH 45249
www.exair.com

Find time on my calendar by scheduling a meeting here.

Chip Trapper: Take Back Control of Your Coolant, and Your Productivity

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

If you work with CNC machines, lathes, or other equipment that uses coolant or cutting fluids, you already know the headache that comes with chip‑laden, contaminated liquid. Floating debris, sludge, and swarf don’t just affect coolant life—they cause machine downtime, poor finishes, pump damage, and unnecessary costs.

The EXAIR Chip Trapper™ and High Lift Chip Trapper™ are designed to eliminate these problems quickly, safely, and without the mess or maintenance headaches of traditional pump or electric vac systems. Here’s how this powerful solution helps you reclaim time, money, and consistency on your shop floor.

Clean Your Coolant—Fast and Without the Mess

The Chip Trapper uses EXAIR’s Reversible Drum Vac, a simple but powerful two‑way pump that quickly vacuums contaminated coolant into a standard 55‑gallon drum. As the liquid enters the drum, it’s forced through a durable, reusable filter bag that traps chips and debris before the clean liquid is pumped back out.

How this benefits you:

  • Cuts coolant replacement costs by removing chips instead of throwing away usable fluid.
  • Prevents pump failures caused by recirculating metal chips and fines.
  • Reduces machine downtime—you can restore coolant clarity in minutes instead of hours.
  • Improves machining performance by keeping cutting fluid clean and flowing as intended.
  • You have options – You can pick what level of filtration that you want to achieve from 1 micron to 200 microns with additional, replacement filter bags. Systems come standard with 5-micron filtration.

Built for Real Shop Conditions

Your environment is demanding, so the equipment has to be too. The Chip Trapper is engineered for durability, reliability, and easy operation in any industrial setting.

Key features your team will appreciate:

  • Runs on compressed air—no electric motor, no moving parts to fail.
  • Works with your existing shop air up to 100 PSIG, with a maximum of 120 PSIG.
  • Designed for years of maintenance‑free performance when used with clean, filtered air.
  • Automatic safety shutoff prevents messy overfilling.
  • Quick‑change filter bags make maintenance simple and efficient—no tools required.

Because the system has no electrically driven parts, it’s not only safer—it avoids the clogs, burnout, and unreliability of conventional electric pumps.

Easy Operation: Vacuum In, Pump Out

Using the Chip Trapper is refreshingly simple:

  1. Connect compressed air using the manual shutoff valve.
  2. Attach the vacuum hose and chip wand to pull liquid and debris from your sump.
  3. Set the directional valve to FILL to vacuum dirty liquid.
  4. Set the valve to EMPTY to pump back out filtered, clean coolant.

Most users love that the process is clean, fast, and nearly foolproof—no dealing with clogged pumps or slow draining.

Handles Even Tough Applications

The Chip Trapper isn’t just for coolant recycling—it’s an incredibly versatile cleanup tool.

Great for:

  • CNC sump cleaning
  • Removing chips from settling tanks
  • Floor spill recovery (with optional Spill Recovery Kit Model 6901)
  • Deep sumps or long fluid runs (High Lift Chip Trapper models offer increased suction for these situations)

Whether you’re cleaning up after heavy machining or maintaining multiple machines, the Chip Trapper keeps your shop safer, cleaner, and more productive.

Low Maintenance, High Reliability

Maintenance is minimal and quick:

  • The safety shutoff float may occasionally need cleaning with mild solvent/detergent.
  • The stainless‑steel pump can be disassembled for deeper cleaning if needed.
  • Vacuum hose and attachments rinse clean after each use.

Because clean air is critical, EXAIR recommends a 10‑micron filter separator for the compressed air supply—when used properly, the unit will run for years without issue.

The Bottom Line: A Cleaner Shop and a Healthier Bottom Line

The Chip Trapper is more than a coolant-cleaning tool—it’s a reliability booster, money saver, and productivity enhancer.

Customers typically see:

  • Significantly longer coolant life
  • Better machine performance
  • Reduced labor time for sump cleaning
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • A safer, cleaner work environment

If your machines are struggling with chip buildup, cloudy coolant, or recurring sump issues, the Chip Trapper is one of the simplest, most cost‑effective upgrades you can make for these processes.

Get yours today. EXAIR ships orders for Chip Trappers within 1 business day after receipt of order. They are available with a 30-day guarantee, so there is zero risk on your part. You can check out more about operational specifications here.

Do you have questions?  Please contact one of our Application Engineers. They can help you determine if the Chip Trapper is right for your application.

Neal Raker, Application Engineering Manager
EXAIR

Industrial Cleanup—Simplified and Certified. The New EXAIR ATEX EasySwitch® Wet/Dry Vacuum System

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

Powerful. Safe. Certified for Hazardous Environments.

EXAIR’s new ATEX EasySwitch Wet/Dry Vacuum System is here—engineered for facilities that demand both high performance and uncompromising safety in explosive dust or gas zones. Whether you’re cleaning dry debris or nonflammable liquids, this system makes it effortless to switch modes and stay productive.

Why Customers Love the ATEX EasySwitch

  • ATEX-Certified for Zone 1 & Zone 21 explosive environments
  • Fast wet/dry changeovers with the EasySwitch filter design
  • No electricity required—powered safely by compressed air
  • Built‑in grounding everywhere it matters: conductive hoses, bonded toolholder, grounding posts, conductive drum dolly, and more
  • HEPA filtration option captures up to 99% of fine particulates down to 16–523 nm
  • Low maintenance with no moving parts to wear out

Optimized for Real Industrial Challenges

From combustible dust to general production cleanup, the ATEX EasySwitch brings dependable suction, rugged construction, and clear compliance peace of mind. Every component is designed to maintain safe bonding and continuity—critical for preventing static discharge in ATEX-classified zones.

The Safety You Need. The Performance You Expect.

If your facility handles explosive dusts, gases, or sensitive materials, EXAIR’s ATEX EasySwitch Wet/Dry Vacuum System delivers the perfect combination of reliability, flexibility, and certification-required protection.

Contact one of our Application Engineers to discuss your application today! You can reach us by phone, fax, e-mail, online chat, video meeting, or through Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) or check us out on YouTube. We would love to show you the difference EXAIR equipment can make in your work life.

Sincerely,

Neal Raker, Application Engineering Manager

Overview: Heavy Duty Dry Vac

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment
EXAIR Reversible Drum Vac (left) and Heavy Duty Dry Vac (right) Two Industrial Vacuums – wet AND dry – for less than the purchase AND operating cost of a dual Venturi vacuum.

EXAIR produces a variety of industrial pneumatic drum vacuums designed to effectively manage spills and debris in diverse environments. These vacuums are characterized by their safety, quiet operation, and the absence of moving parts or electric motors, which enhances their longevity and reliability. With a proven track record of durability, the Industrial Housekeeping Products line includes systems tailored for both dry and wet materials, as well as a versatile option that accommodates both types. In this blog, I will focus on our Heavy Duty Dry Vac System.

A prevalent problem associated with dry materials is the premature failure of electrical motors due to dust accumulation. In many electrically powered vacuums, this dust can lead to the deterioration of motor bearings, often resulting in a loud screeching sound. In contrast, EXAIR’s Heavy Duty Dry Vac System features no moving parts, eliminating wear and maintenance needs, and operates solely on compressed air. It includes a static-resistant hose to prevent electric shocks when handling dry, dusty materials. Constructed from hardened alloy steel, the Heavy Duty Dry Vac offers exceptional abrasion resistance and generates a powerful vacuum of -60” H2O (-15 kPa) at 80 PSIG (5.5 bar), making it suitable for use with sandblasting materials, garnet, and steel shot. Additionally, its efficient and durable bag filter effectively contains dust within the drum while allowing air to escape.

We offer three drum sizes—30-gallon, 55-gallon, and 110-gallon—tailored to your specific application and material volume needs. Each drum is equipped with a Heavy Duty Vacuum that operates on just 68 SCFM (1,924 SLPM) of compressed air at 80 psig (5.5 bar). To suit various requirements, we provide different packages for each drum. The standard package includes essential components such as the drum lid with necessary hardware, a side latching lever lock, a shutoff valve, a filter bag, 10 feet of static-resistant vacuum hose, a hose hanger, 20 feet of compressed air hose, a pressure gauge, and an aluminum chip wand. For those seeking more features, the Deluxe package adds a drum dolly, heavy-duty aluminum tools, and a tool holder. Finally, the Premium package encompasses all items in the Deluxe package along with a steel drum.

If you have questions about our Heavy Duty Dry Vac, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk