Tag: machine coolant disposal

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.

Getting to Know the ATEX EasySwitch

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

EXAIR has a new addition to our Industrial Housekeeping product line, the ATEX EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vacuum System. This system will give all the convenience of our traditional EasySwitch, but suitable for use in ATEX rated zones. Below is a brief video highlighting the product’s grounding continuity.

If you have questions about the ATEX EasySwitch, 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

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 

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