Tag: hepa vac

Meet the Next Evolution in Industrial Cleanup: The EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac — Now Available in ATEX

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

In fast-paced industrial environments, cleanup demands can change in seconds. One moment you’re recovering spilled coolant, the next you’re vacuuming metal chips or fine dust. Equipment that can’t keep up slows productivity, increases risk, and drives maintenance costs. That’s where the EXAIR EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac changes the game — and now, with the introduction of the ATEX version, it’s ready for even the most hazardous environments.

One Vacuum. Two Modes. Zero Downtime.

The EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac was engineered to eliminate one of the most common pain points in industrial housekeeping: switching between wet and dry cleanup.

Traditional vacuums often require time-consuming filter changes, tools, or even separate units. The EasySwitch simplifies this process with a patented, tool-free design that allows operators to transition from liquid recovery to dry debris removal in seconds.

A single latch releases the filter element for quick removal when moving to liquid mode — then reinstalls just as easily for dry applications.

Powered by Air — Not Electricity

Unlike electric shop vacs that rely on motors prone to wear, the EasySwitch operates entirely on compressed air.

This pneumatic design delivers several operational advantages:

  • No motors to clog or burn out
  • Maintenance-free operation
  • Safe for liquid recovery
  • Continuous duty capability
  • Reduced risk of electrical hazards

With no moving parts in the vacuum generator, reliability increases while maintenance requirements drop — a major win for plant managers and maintenance teams alike.

Not that it’s particularly difficult to change the filter in my trusty shop vac, but this is indeed an “Easy Switch”.

Introducing the ATEX EasySwitch: Built for Explosive Atmospheres

For facilities operating in hazardous locations, standard equipment isn’t enough. That’s where the ATEX-rated EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac comes in.

ATEX certification refers to equipment approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres — environments where flammable gases, vapors, mists, or combustible dust may be present.

These include industries such as:

  • Chemical processing
  • Oil & gas
  • Paint & coatings
  • Food processing (combustible dust)
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing

The ATEX EasySwitch is engineered to mitigate these risks through explosion-protected design, allowing safe pneumatic vacuum operation in classified hazardous areas.

Because the EasySwitch already operates without electricity, it provides a strong foundation for hazardous-location safety — now enhanced with ATEX compliance for regulated environments.

The Bottom Line

The EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac redefines industrial cleanup with:

  • Instant wet/dry conversion
  • Tool-free filter changes
  • Pneumatic, maintenance-free operation
  • Powerful vacuum performance

And now, with the ATEX version, it extends those benefits into the most demanding and hazardous work environments.

Whether you’re managing coolant recovery on the shop floor or maintaining compliance in explosive atmospheres, the EasySwitch platform delivers the flexibility, safety, and performance modern industry demands. If you have any questions, please reach out.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer / Sales Operations Engineer

Send me an email
Find us on the Web 

EXAIR High Lift Reversible Drum Vac™ System: Overview

Published on by John BallLeave a comment
30, 55 and 110 Gallon High Lift Reversible Drum Vac Systems

Not all liquid vacuums are the same.  Have you seen motor burnout, loud noises, single directional flow, and potential electrical hazards?  EXAIR manufactures a pneumatic venturi pump to remove all those issues, the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System.  It does not have any moving parts to wear; a two-way action to fill or expel liquid from standard drums; and is quiet.  They only use compressed air to generate a powerful vacuum to lift liquid into a drum; and with a simple twist of the knob, it will push the liquid out.  And by using compressed air, no electricity is required, making it safe to use.  They work great for fluid transfers or liquid spills, and the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac can fill a 55-gallon (208L) drum in 85 seconds from 15 feet of lift.  And with the powerful vacuum pressure, it can move thick liquid with viscosity up to 1400 centipoise through 20 feet (6m) of hose.  How can this product be useful for you?  If you work with liquids in a cistern, underground tanks, higher viscous fluids, or pits, EXAIR has a product for you; the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System.  They are reliable and simple to use, and that is why it was awarded the 2015 Product of the Year by Plant Engineering.  In this blog, I will go over the specifications and packages that EXAIR offers.

The High Lift Reversible Drum Vac has stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance.  It comes with a built-in safety relief valve to avoid over pressurizing and an internal float to stop any over-filling of the drum.  The air consumption is only 43 SCFM (1,218 SLPM) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar), and it has a quiet noise level of only 83 dBA.  Systems are available in 30-, 55- and 110-gallon capacities (114L, 208L, and 418L respectively) in different packages.

The standard package will include the two-way pump assembly, shutoff valve, 20′ (6m) vacuum hose, a 90° quick release elbow, a standpipe, and an aluminum chip wand.  The standpipe is cut to length for the properly sized drum (the drum is not included in this option).  The standpipe extends inside the drum to remove as much liquid as possible when emptying. 

The Deluxe package will include all the items shown above in the Standard package and adds a drum dolly, ABS spill recovery kit, (2) extension wands, crevice tool, skimmer tool and a magnetic toolholder.

The Premium package will include all the items in the Standard package and adds the drum with lock ring and lid, drum dolly, ABS spill recovery kit, (2) different lengths of aluminum crevice tools, skimmer tool, a magnetic toolholder and a 20′ (6m) compressed air hose.

EXAIR’s High Lift RDV makes cleaning out pits up to 15′ deep easy and fast.

As I mentioned above, not all liquid vacuums are the same.  The EXAIR High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System is maintenance-free for long-lasting use in industrial environments.  We offer a 30-day unconditional guarantee for U.S. customers if you wish to try them out.  And from now until May 31, 2026, EXAIR is having a promotion.  With the purchase of one of our Industrial Housekeeping Products, you will receive a Vac-u-Gun with a vacuum bag, a $174.00 value, for free with qualified purchases.   If you have any questions about the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System or any of our other Industrial Housekeeping Products, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.  We will be happy to help you.

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

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