Tag: osha safety air gunnozzle

Revolutionize Your Internal Pipe Cleaning with EXAIR Back Blow Nozzles

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

In industrial manufacturing, cleaning the inside of pipes, tubes, and blind holes has traditionally been a challenge. Standard forward-blowing nozzles often push debris deeper or create safety hazards by ejecting material out the far end. EXAIR solved this problem with their innovative Back Blow Air Nozzles, designed specifically to “wipe” internal surfaces clean by directing airflow backwards toward the operator.

How They Work

These nozzles utilize the Coanda effect to amplify compressed air, entraining surrounding ambient air to create a high-velocity 360-degree cone of air. Because the air is directed back toward the inlet, it pulls coolant, chips, and debris out of the opening rather than forcing them further in.

See the “Back Blow Magic” in Action

Watch this EXAIR video demonstration to see a Back Blow Nozzle clear debris from a plugged pipe in a single pass.

Common Applications

Manufacturers across various industries use these nozzles to improve efficiency and safety. Typical uses include:

  • Machined Part Cleaning: Removing coolant and metal chips from blind holes or internal threads.
  • Hydraulic Cylinder Repair: Cleaning honed bores ranging from 2″ to 16″ in diameter.
  • Tube & Pipe Manufacturing: Clearing debris from long lengths of pipe where forward blowing is impractical.
  • CNC Machining: Quickly cleaning out spindles between tool changes.
  • Electronics Recycling: Removing residual powder from spent toner cartridges.

Key Product Features

  • Material: Manufactured from durable Type 316 Stainless Steel for superior corrosion and wear resistance.
  • Size Range: Available in three sizes—M4, 1/4 NPT, and 1 NPT—covering internal diameters from 1/4″ to 16″.
  • Safety & Compliance: Meets OSHA standards for noise and dead-end pressure.
  • Configurations: Can be mounted on VariBlast, Soft Grip, or Heavy Duty Safety Air Guns with extensions up to 72″ and optional chip shields for operator protection.

Would you like to know which Safety Air Gun model or extension length is best suited for your specific pipe diameter? Give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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EXAIR’s VariBlast Precision

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Air Guns are one of the most common and most trusted tools in manufacturing facilities that use compressed air. There are many options out there on the market, so what makes EXAIR’s VariBlast Precision Safety Air Gun a cut above the rest?

As with all of EXAIR‘s Safety Air Guns, the VariBlast Precision takes safety seriously. All models when used with an EXAIR Safety Air Nozzle are in compliance with OSHA standard 1910.242(b). This means that the airflow that exits the nozzle cannot be blocked, and the static pressure will never exceed 30psig, even when supplied with shop pressure.

The other key safety feature is the low noise level. OSHA noise exposure standard, 29 CFR 1910.95(a), states that protection is needed for continuous exposure to noise levels above 90dBA. Our VariBlast Precision options are all below 75dBA (some configurations are as low as 58dBA!). This is well below the minimum allowable level stipulated by OSHA.

Beyond safety, the VariBlast Precision has many other benefits. Not only is it lightweight and durable, being made of a high-impact, glass-reinforced nylon that is resistant to breakage. It is also easy to use with a comfortable, full-finger trigger and a convenient hanger loop built into it. This trigger also allows for variable flow, giving you a range of forces and flows at your fingertips.

The VariBlast Precision comes standard with a 6″ extension.  For greater reach, we also offer a 12″ or a 20″ option. All extensions are made of Type 316 stainless steel, and are compatible with our Atto, Pico, or Nano Super Air Nozzle. These nozzles come in both Type 316 stainless steel (for durability and corrosion resistance), or in PEEK plastic for non-marring applications. They can also be outfitted with an impact resistant polycarbonate Chip Shield.

If you would like to discuss your blowoff application, and see how EXAIR’s VariBlast Precision, or any of our other Safety Air Guns can help you out, give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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More About Compressed Air Safety

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

We all know how crucial safety is in the workplace. Most companies conduct some type of annual safety training, and a key takeaway from these sessions is that safety isn’t just the job of a few individuals; it’s everyone’s responsibility. At EXAIR, we take safety very seriously. Many of our products are designed with safety as a priority, including our Safety Air Guns, which highlight our commitment to this principle. This focus is essential because using compressed air can pose health risks if not handled correctly.

In the U.S., OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the agency that enforces regulations to ensure safe and healthy work environments. They have the authority to impose hefty fines for any violations. When it comes to compressed air, two common violations involve air guns and blow-off devices, as outlined in 29CFR 1910.242(b) regarding dead-end pressure/chip shielding and 29CFR 1910.95(a) concerning maximum noise exposure limits.

The first regulation, 29CFR 1910.242(b), pertains to hand-held tools. It specifies that blow-off devices should not be used at pressures exceeding 30psig if the compressed air can become dead-ended. If there’s no escape route for the air, it can penetrate the skin and lead to an air embolism. A straightforward solution is to drill a hole to provide an alternate escape path, although this can introduce other safety concerns, which we’ll cover later. EXAIR’s air nozzles are designed with fins that allow air to escape safely, preventing blockage by your skin. This means you can confidently use the EXAIR Super Air Nozzles at pressures above 30psig.

The second regulation, 29CFR 1910.95(a), outlines the maximum sound levels that a person can safely be exposed to. Prolonged exposure to high sound levels can lead to permanent hearing damage. This is where the cross-drilled nozzle doesn’t quite meet the mark. While it’s safe for dead-end pressure, the noise from the turbulent airflow is quite loud. In contrast, EXAIR’s nozzles are designed to pull in surrounding air, creating a much quieter laminar flow. For instance, our Model 1210 Safety Air Gun, which features the Model 1100 Nozzle, operates at just 74dBA, well below the noise exposure limit for an 8-hour shift.

Model 1210 Soft Grip Safety Air is fitted with an EXAIR Super Air Nozzle. We can also supply it with a Rigid Extension and Chip Shield (right).

If you’re serious about compressed air safety, EXAIR’s range of safe, quiet, and efficient Safety Air Guns and Air Nozzles is an excellent option for your facility. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat about this or any other compressed air applications you might have!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Banner image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The EXAIR Heavy Duty Safety Air Gun

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

A compressed air operated air gun is a commonly used tool in many industries. There are many options available through the many catalogs and industrial supply companies. Most inexpensive options will have triggers or other parts that will frequently wear out or break. They will also have performance similar to an open pipe, where they have an open hole that simply blows a lot of compressed air. This leads to high air consumption costs, as well as high noise levels; they can also be dangerous if the opening is dead-ended at high pressures.

EXAIR has several quiet and efficient Safety Air Guns, and with a large array of nozzles to choose from, we likely have the perfect solution for whatever your needs are. If you require more force for use in a rugged industrial environment, then our Heavy Duty Safety Air Gun may be the right option for you.

EXAIR Heavy Duty Safety Air Gun Benefits

Our Heavy Duty Safety Air Gun has a 3/8 NPT air inlet, which is larger than most other Safety Air Guns. This allows for higher force and flow values. It also comes with a durable cast aluminum body and ergonomic composite rubber grip. The wide curved trigger allows for continuous use for hours without operators experiencing fatigue.

As with all of EXAIR’s Safety Air Guns, the Heavy Duty Safety Air Gun takes advantage of our engineered Air Nozzles, ensuring that you remain OSHA compliant on both dead-end pressure and noise levels, while still delivering on force. We have several different length extensions, as well as chip shields, to customize the Heavy Duty Air Gun.

For any customers in the US or Canada, an order placed before September 30th, 2024 will receive a free Model 1126 1″ Flat Super Air Nozzle. If you would like to discuss how EXAIR’s Heavy Duty Air Gun, or any of our other Safety Air Guns can help in your application, feel free to give us a call.

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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