Custom Pneumatic Conveyors for Unique Applications

EXAIR’s Line Vacs, or Air Operated Conveyors, provide an efficient method of converting ordinary pipe, hose or tubes into powerful in-line conveyors.  To accommodate the wide variety of unique problems manufacturers face, EXAIR has the ability to customize and tailor Line Vacs to different specifications.  Certain processes may require customizations like unique sizes, shapes and materials in order for the product to be a perfect fit for their system.  EXAIR will work in collaboration with the customer to fabricate the best possible Line Vac solution for easy and efficient conveyance.

I worked with a customer to design a special Line Vac.  They needed 3” ANSI 150# Flanges on a 3” PDVF Line Vac.  So, we had a special material with special ends to suit their specific needs.  The PVDF with Hastelloy hardware was for chemical resistance, and the flanges were used to mount onto their piping system.  As with many of our Line Vacs, we can turn a normal piping system into a conveyance system for waste, parts, or bulk materials.  For this customer, they needed a backup system for a fume hood.  With electrical vacuums and blowers, loss of power or motor failures can cause a momentary lapse in fume removal.  Since the chemical material that was used in the hood was dangerous, they needed a reliable source to extract the fumes.  The Line Vac does not have any moving parts or require electricity.  The Line Vac only uses compressed air or gas to make it operate.  For this customer, they attached nitrogen to the special Line Vac to work when there was a power failure to protect the workers in the area. 

For customers with space limitations, smaller sizes can be created while still offering the same capacity for conveyance.  In situations where the Line Vac requires a specific flange mounting option, EXAIR can accommodate.  Locations requiring custom mounting holes, brackets or inlet positions are possible.  For applications where stock aluminum, or 303 and 316 stainless steel won’t work, alternate materials like PVDF, PVC or PTFE can be utilized.  Even in extreme environments, EXAIR can produce both heavy-duty or high-temperature iterations to handle even the toughest material or conditions.  Other details like the customer’s particular hose size, or pipe threading are specifications that EXAIR will have no problem accommodating.

Stock Line Vac models include standard, Heavy Duty, Ultra Duty, Light Duty and Sanitary Flange.  All versions can be customized with different connections and materials to meet customer’s specific needs.  If there’s a process in your facility that could benefit from a product like the EXAIR Line Vac, act fast! Now through October 31st, you’ll receive a FREE 1104 3/8” Super Air Nozzle as a promotional item with the purchase of any EXAIR Line Vac with a qualified order in the U.S.  For any help solving specific conveyance problems, you can contact an Application Engineer.  We will be happy to help. 

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

Air Operated Conveyors: Promotional gift!

If you’re performing any type of manual transfer of raw material in your processes, it might be time to take a closer look at EXAIR Air Operated Conveyors, or Line Vacs. The Line Vacs are designed as an ideal solution for the transfer of bulk materials from one point to another. They have no moving parts to wear, are very compact and easy to install, remove safety concerns, and do not require maintenance.  I will cover the many selections that EXAIR currently offers. 

Air Operated Conveyor

The Line Vac can move large volumes of material over long distances with just a small amount of compressed air. The compressed air is injected through directed holes that produce a vacuum on one end and high-volume output flows on the other. The Line Vacs are manufactured in several different materials and sizes, and with a few different options for connection style.  Adjusting the flow of material is extremely simple and can be controlled by regulating the air pressure upstream of the Line Vac.

Lightweight and durable aluminum is the most popular choice, but we make them in stainless steel (Types 303 and 316) for heat and corrosion resistance. For extreme heat, the High Temperature option affords protection to 900F (482C) in either 303SS or 316SS.

Standard Line Vacs are offered with a smooth inlet/outlet designed to be used with any smooth-bore conveyance hose. These Line Vacs are offered in aluminum sizes from 3/8” (10 mm) up to 5” (127 mm), and in 303 and 316 stainless steel from 3/8” (10 mm) up to 3” (76 mm).  Clear PVC conveyance hoses are available for 3/8” (10 mm) up to 3” (76 mm) I.D. from stock in 10’ (3 m) increments up to 50’ (15 m).

If you’d rather use rigid pipe, Threaded Line Vacs are also available directly from stock. With identical performance to the standard Line Vac, the Threaded Line Vacs are offered with NPT threads on both the inlet/outlet in sizes ranging from 3/8” NPT to 3” NPT in aluminum, 303, or 316 stainless steel.

For higher conveyance rates and abrasive materials, EXAIR offers Heavy Duty Line Vacs in the same manner as our standard or threaded units but are constructed from a hardened alloy steel. The Heavy Duty Line Vacs are offered with both smooth and threaded connection styles from ¾” (19 mm) up to 3” (76 mm).  The Heavy Duty Line Vacs are ideal for media that is abrasive in nature or for applications requiring higher conveyance rates over longer distances.

The Ultra Duty Line Vacs are designed to handle the conveyance of extremely abrasive materials.  The bodies are made from the same material as our Heavy Duty Line Vacs, but we added a ceramic insert.  The overall length is a bit longer to accommodate this insert, but the flow rate, distance, and conveyance rates are exactly the same.  This ceramic insert is placed where the conveying material hits the surface on the exhaust side, making it more durable and longer lasting.  We currently offer them in 1 ¼”, 1 ½”, and 2” for hose connections.

For applications where you only need to convey small volumes over short distances or particularly lightweight materials, our Light Duty Line Vacs would be an ideal solution. The Light Duty Line Vac is available in sizes ranging from ¾” (19 mm) to 6” (152mm) and consumes a bit less compressed air than the standard and heavy-duty versions. This style of Line Vac is only offered in aluminum construction and for use with smooth-bore hose.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Sanitary Flange Line Vac. The Sanitary Flange Line Vac is the best method for conveying materials in systems that require frequent or mandatory cleaning.  Utilizing ISO 2852-compatible clamp-style sanitary flanges, they can be easily removed from the system for periodic sanitization. These are offered in sizes ranging from 1-1/2”(38mm) up to 3” (76mm) in 316SS construction from stock.  They are ideal for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

If none of these stock Line Vacs suit your process, we still have more options!! Custom units are available with varying styles of flange connections; Hybrid NPT threaded/smooth units can be done with stock components, we’ll even manufacture in special materials. At EXAIR, we take pride in offering custom solutions for customers that may require something just a little different from what is readily available on the shelf.

If there’s a process in your facility that could benefit from a product like the EXAIR Line Vac, act fast! Now through October 31st, you’ll receive a FREE 1122 2” Flat Super Air Nozzle as a promotion with the purchase of any EXAIR Line Vac with qualified orders.  If you need help with your application, EXAIR has Application Engineers to help you out. 

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

EXAIR’s Safety Air Gun Promotion Offers Free High Velocity Air Jet

From August 1st to September 30th, 2025, with qualified purchases, EXAIR will be giving away a free Model 6013 High Velocity Air Jet with a purchase of our Safety Air Guns, including the VariBlast PrecisionVariBlast CompactSoft GripHeavy DutySuper Blast and TurboBlast Safety Air Guns.  We are promoting the importance of safety in the workplace with the EXAIR Safety Air Guns.   

Compressed air guns are one of the most commonly used pneumatic products in manufacturing plants.  They are used at workstations to blow off debris and clean parts and tools.  Because of the large quantities that are used in a plant, they are the most targeted by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).  The majority of the common brands of airguns fail to comply with two directives, rule 29CFR 1910.95(a) for noise levels and rule 29CFR 1910.242(b) for dead-end pressure.  The reason for this is due to the type of nozzles that come with the typical compressed air guns.  OSHA fines can be very expensive, and you can alleviate these penalties by purchasing an EXAIR Safety Air Gun.  Safety is everyone’s responsibility: management, the HSE department (Health and Safety Engineer), supervisors, and even the operators.   

With EXAIR Safety Air Guns, we supply an efficient, effective, and, most importantly, safe air nozzle with all of our air guns.  They are CE Compliant and exceed the OSHA sound level and dead-end pressure requirements, even above 30 PSIG (2 bar).  With substandard air guns, the operators will have to listen to loud noises all day or wear hearing protection.  And for the dead-end pressure, the EXAIR nozzles are engineered to not allow the operator to completely block the end of the nozzle with their hand or skin.  This is very important because if the pressure exceeds 30 PSIG, air can penetrate the skin and cause an air embolism.  With our design, the compressed air is able to escape, and the pressure against the skin will not exceed 30 PSIG, even with the compressed air pressure set at 100 PSIG.  Safety is a major concern for all of our customers and a priority for EXAIR in manufacturing our products.   

As I mentioned above, the nozzles are one of the most significant parts of making a compressed air gun safe and OSHA compliant.  Combining our engineered nozzles with a quality air gun makes the EXAIR Safety Air Guns one of the best products in the market.  We currently have six different styles; the VariBlast PrecisionVariBlast Compact, Soft GripHeavy DutySuper Blast, and TurboBlast Safety Air Guns.  These Safety Air Guns are ergonomically designed to comfortably fit in your hand. They come with quality trigger mechanisms and durable valve assemblies.  The VariBlast Precision Safety Air Guns are great for tight spaces and clearing out small holes.  The VariBlast Compact Safety Air Guns have a cast aluminum body for rugged use with our smaller air nozzles.  The Soft Grip Safety Air Guns provide extra comfort for long, extended uses, and the Heavy Duty Safety Air Guns are rugged, heavy-duty industrial air guns with nozzles for larger forces.  The Super Blast and TurboBlast Safety Air Guns use our largest nozzles for cleaning large areas quickly.  In combination with the EXAIR nozzles, the Safety Air Guns can offer another important attribute; we can save you money!!!  Compressed air is very expensive to make, and with our Safety Air Guns, we use less compressed air but still create a strong blowing force.  We do this by entraining the free ambient air into the air stream.  If you increase the mass of air at the target, it will give you a hard-hitting force to remove debris from surfaces or clean tools and holes.  The amplification ratio can be as high as 25 to 1.  That means that for every part of compressed air that it uses, the EXAIR Nozzles will entrain 25 parts of free ambient air.  This will add mass to the airstream, which provides for a powerful impact.  Also, the payback period for using an EXAIR Nozzle with our Safety Air Guns can be within weeks due to the savings in electrical costs from your air compressor.  With EXAIR products, we were able to partner with Energy Star and power facilities.  For the amount of energy saved, some power companies offer rebates for using EXAIR products.       

A substandard blow-off gun is unsafe, loud, and wasteful.  EXAIR Safety Air Guns can help improve these situations.  They are OSHA-compliant, very safe, and very quiet.  They use less compressed air, which saves you money.  And with a variety of different nozzles, they can better fit your application to decrease downtime.  In the U.S. and Canada, EXAIR offers a 30-day unconditional guarantee on our cataloged items so you can try them out.  You can see for yourself how effective these compressed air guns can be.  If you need help matching the best Safety Air Gun to your application, you can contact an Application Engineer.  And during the next two months, take advantage of the free Model 6013 High Velocity Air Jet, a $103.00 complimentary gift.     

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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EXAIR Super Air Knife Promotion

Starting in November through the end of the month, order any EXAIR Super Air Knife and receive a free 1210 Soft Grip Safety Air Gun. This applies to all stock Super Air Knifes. The Model 1210 is a top pick for many industrial applications. With the ideal combination of forceful air flow, quite noise level, and compressed air usage there’s not many applications that aren’t suited for this style of gun. All EXAIR’s Safety Air Guns are compliant with OSHA 1910.242 (b), relating to dead-end pressure, and can keep your personnel safe. 

EXAIR has been manufacturing Intelligent Compressed Air® products since 1983.  In the beginning, the Standard Air Knives and Full Flow Air Knives were very effective at that time.  But as leaders in this industry, EXAIR did not want to stop there.  We were able to engineer a more efficient, more powerful, and much quieter air knife, the Super Air Knife.  In this blog, I will discuss the features and benefits that the Super Air Knives can offer.

Bernoulli’s principle explains how a high velocity fluid can generate a low pressure.  The EXAIR Super Air Knife creates a high velocity air stream to produce that low pressure to entrain ambient air.   What does this mean for you?  It will save you money by using less compressed air.  The mass of the ambient air is added to the compressed air stream to give it a strong blowing force.  The Super Air Knife has an amplification ratio of 40:1, which means that for every 1 part of compressed air, 40 parts of ambient air are drawn into the air stream.  Ambient air is free. Compressed air is expensive.  EXAIR was able to engineer a design to use Bernoulli’s principle to make one of the most efficient air knives in the marketplace.

What else makes EXAIR unchallenged?  We manufacture and stock the widest range of lengths and materials.  To start, EXAIR has Super Air Knives ranging from 3” to 108” (76 mm to 2,743 mm) in three different materials; aluminum, 303 stainless steel, and 316/316L stainless steel.  EXAIR also offers Super Air Knives in PVDF material with Hastelloy hardware for chemical resistant applications from 3” to 54” (76 mm to 1,372 mm).  Depending on the temperature requirement, chemical resistance, OSHA and FDA regulations, or application details, we probably will have one on the shelf for you.  If EXAIR does not have it, we can make special air knives in different lengths and materials to best fit your application.  You can read more about specials HERE


Air Knives are available in Super, Standard and Full-Flow styles, and all versions are able to be customized to a customer’s specific needs. For help solving any specific blowoff problems, please contact an Application Engineer. All Air Knives are CE compliant.

With today’s cost of making compressed air, it is important to use it as efficiently as possible.  The Standard and Full Flow Air Knives would be good options to use.  But the best way to conserve is with the Super Air Knife.  In the U.S. and Canada, EXAIR offers a 30-day unconditional guarantee on our cataloged items, so you can try them out.  You can see for yourself how effective these compressed air guns can be.  If you have any questions about the Super Air Knife or if you would like to discuss an application, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.   We will be glad to help you.  And until December 31st, 2024, EXAIR is offering a free Soft Grip Safety Air Gun, a $115.00 value, as a complimentary gift for qualifying online Super Air Knife purchases. 

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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