Static Problem on your Packaging Line?

Pretty much every consumer grade product comes in packaging, so It’s safe to say most manufacturing processes end in a final packaging of the final product! One of the most common issues with Form, Fill, Seal and other general packing systems is Static! That pesky force you can’t see, but you know and can feel the effects! So how can you address those issues? With EXAIR’s line of static eliminators! With a dozen different configurations an Application Engineer can help you pick one to fit into your process and eliminate the static that’s wreaking havoc!

But let’s take a look at a couple of the most common applications!

Bottle Sleeves

Unlike the Coke bottles below, most bottoms now have the thermo shrink on the cap to secure the lid and keep it clean. (You may ask why I used the Coke photo…. well I just liked it!!) But typically a flat sheet of thermo sensitive plastic is fed through a forming block to connect the ends to make a sleeve. Then they are fed over the bottle cut and thermo formed around the bottle. There are a lot of things there that can create static! Check out this blog by Tyler. His customer used a Super Ion Air Wipe to rid the static prior to the forming!

Image courtesy of Kevin Trotman, Creative Commons License Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Filling

Filling a container with product is one of the most common packaging situations we encounter! Why? Because there are so many different operations that go into it. First you have to form the packaging, then clean it, then move it, then fill it, then seal it, then clean before bulk packaging. You guessed it each one of those tasks have the ability to build and be affected negatively by static.

Below is a photo of a line to fill vials with a vaccine, but first these need to be cleaned. Static can cause dirt and dust to stick inside the vial. This is a common use of the GEN4 Super Ion Air Knife, it can eliminate the static, then provide the force to dislodge the dust and dirt. Then you can push it into the air and dispose of it with a downdraft system. And just like the bottling line, they cap the vials with a thin cap cover, you can use the same product to eliminate that static to keep the flaws to a minimum.

Image courtesy of Vaccines at Sanofi, Creative Commons License Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

As the temperatures begin to decline, so does the humidity in the air. Drier air results in an increase in static problems. Get ahead of it this year and check out EXAIR’s complete line of Static Elimination products, all available to ship same-day from stock!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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Static Eliminators: The Blog!

Over the years we have expanded our Static Eliminator’s product line time and time again. Since its close to Christmas and I’m in the giving mood let’s do a full overview!!! Buckle up this is going to be a long one!!

GEN4 Super Ion Air Knife!

The Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife floods an area or surface with static eliminating ions. With a uniform airflow across its length, misalignment to critical surfaces like webs is avoided.  The force can be adjusted from a light breeze, to a full out blast of air. The Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife is electrically powered, is shock less and has no moving parts.

How It Works

gen4siak_hwrks_800x

GEN4 Standard Ion Air Knife!

Similar to the Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife, this product has a good compressed air efficiency.  It utilizes the Coanda effect to draw in ambient air at a 30:1 amplification ratio.  They come in stocked lengths from 3” (76mm) to 48” (1.22 meters).  The Gen4 Standard Ion Air Knife are used in similar applications as well as mold releasing, package cleaning, label applications and plastic bag opening.

Gen4 Standard Ion Air Knife

GEN4 Ion Bar (NO COMPRESSED AIR NEEDED)

This rugged design is for industrial use to remove static cling from flat surfaces. They range from a length of 3” (76mm) to 108” (2.74 meters).  Without the assistance of air, the product has to be within 2 inches (51 mm) from the surface to remove static charges.  The Gen4 Ionizing Bar is shock less and works well in applications where blowing air could be a detriment for the process.  This would include screen printing, labeling, and large printing process.

Gen4 Ionizing Bar

GEN4 Super Ion Air Wipe

This product blows ionized air in a 360-degree pattern.  They are engineered to remove static and debris from the outside of hoses, plastic pipe, extrusions, and coated wires.  With the split design, the Gen4 Super Ion Air Wipe can easily mount around the product without having to rethread.  They come in two different sizes with a 2” (51mm) and 4” (102mm) inner diameter. The ionized air has a fast static decay for speedy transfers.

Gen4 Super Ion Air Wipe

GEN4 Ion Air Cannon

Just like the name, this product will shower an area with ions to remove static. It can reach distances up to 15 feet (4.6 meters).  They are used in multiple areas including pre-paint car bodies, containers, shrink packaging, lenses, etc.  As an Air Amplifier, a small amount of compressed air will draw in a large amount of ambient air.  The ions are carried to the surface from the Gen4 Ion Air Cannon in a laminar air steam.   Once the ions coat the surface area, the air flow can gently remove any debris held by static forces.

Ion Air Cannon

GEN4 Ion Air Jet and Gun

For manual static removal to target specific areas, the Gen4 Ion Air Gun will work great.  This product comes standard with 10 feet (3 meters) of shielded cable for maximum reach.  An ergonomic air gun is attached to a Gen4 Ion Air Jet to manually remove static in difficult areas and from “shock” zones.  The Ion Air Guns work great for small batch processes used for quality checks or label applications.

Similar to the Ion Air Gun, this product is used for “hands-free” operations. They use a small amount of compressed air to “shoot” the ions onto a surface.  They can be operated with a solenoid valve or foot pedal to blow ions during specific times and situations.  They can easily be attached to a Stay Set Hose and Magnetic Base for best “hands-free” positioning for optimal cleaning.  They work well on small targets for automated systems or inspections areas prior to packaging.

GEN4 Ionizing Point

This single point design is manufactured to remove static on small targets in tight spots.  Utilizing the same rugged design of the Gen4 Static Eliminators, this product can remove static in spot areas and help to stop jams in slitting operations. They can also be panel mounted to neutralize duct air.

Intellistat Ion Air Gun

This is one of EXAIR’s newest product that is a lightweight solution for static and particle removal.  The patent-pending air gun comes complete with a 24Vdc power supply and a 6mm compressed air tubing.  There is a red and green LED lights to signify the production of ionized air for visual feedback.  The engineered air nozzles are quiet and OSHA safe.  The emitter point inside that creates the ions can be easily changed for replacement.  The applications range from circuit boards, electronic manufacturing, laboratories, clean rooms, and scientific testing.

Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle

And if you need a hands-off product that meets all the requirements the Intellistat Ion air guns does. The Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle is your answer!

If you find that static is creating process problems, wasting time, and costing you money, EXAIR has a large line of Static Eliminators that can help you.  If you have an application, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR to help select the correct model and remove that static nuisance.

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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VariBlast® Precision Safety Air Gun

EXAIR’s new VariBlast® Precision Safety Air Guns provide a focused blast of air capable of handling tough jobs with remarkable strength. This CE compliant, lightweight air gun uses an engineered valve for variable flow.  It can produce an adjustable force upon a target simply by pulling the trigger to a variety of positions.  You can generate higher or lower force as needed for an application.

A comfortable full-finger trigger and a convenient hanger loop are built-in to the Variblast Precision Safety Air Gun.  It has a ¼” NPT female compressed air inlet at the base of the handle with an option for a BSP threaded adapter.  One of the unique features is the replaceable extensions.  They come standard with a 6” (152mm) extension.  For greater reach, we offer a 12″ (305mm) or a 20″ (508mm) extension for longer reach.  The body is made of high-impact, glass-reinforced nylon to resist breakage.  They can also be outfitted with an impact-resistant polycarbonate Chip Shield.  In combination with the EXAIR Safety Air Nozzles, the airflow that exits the nozzle can’t be blocked, assuring safe operation and compliance with OSHA standard 1910.242(b). Also, the Precision air gun has a low noise level, only 75 dBA, which is well below the limits of the OSHA noise exposure standard 29 CFR 1910.95(a).  EXAIR strives to manufacture safe and efficient safety air guns, and the VariBlast Precision fits that bill.

To expand on efficiency, the engineered nozzles are designed to entrain the free ambient air to add mass to the airstream.  With an amplification ratio of nearly 25:1, you only have to use a small amount of compressed air to generate a powerful, focused blast.  So, by using less compressed air, it will save you a lot of money.  EXAIR offers three different sizes in different materials.  The largest is the Nano Super Air Nozzle, which only requires 8.3 SCFM (235 SLPM) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar).  It is made from type 316SS or PEEK thermoplastic.  The PEEK nozzle is great for non-marring applications.  The smallest unit is our Atto Super Air Nozzle for very small holes.  It also comes in 316SS or PEEK thermoplastic.  It only uses 2.5 SCFM (71 SLPM) of compressed air at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar).  For the “in-between” force rating, we offer the Pico Super Air Nozzle in 316SS and PEEK.  For the different combinations of model numbers, I created a VariBlast chart below.

A substandard blow-off gun is unsafe, loud, and wastes compressed air.  They are subject to dangerous conditions and OSHA fines.  EXAIR Safety Air Guns can help improve the situation in all these areas.  EXAIR stocks a wide range of safety air guns for almost any blow-off application.  We stock units ranging from our smallest size; the VariBlast Precision Safety Air Guns up to our largest size; the TurboBalst Safety Air Guns.  From August 1st to September 30th, 2022 for qualified purchases; EXAIR will give a 1” Flat Super Air Nozzle as a promotional item with a purchase of a VariBlast Precision, VariBlast Compact, Soft Grip, Heavy Duty, Super Blast, or TurboBlast Safety Air Gun; a $53.00 complimentary gift.  If you have any questions about the VariBlast Precision Safety Air Guns or any of our other safety air guns, 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

Industrial Housekeeping Promo: Free Vac-U-Gun

Are you in need of a new vacuum system or upgrade your new old system? Well now’s the time to do it! Starting March 1st, 2021 and running through May 31st, 2021, we are offering a free Vac-U-Gun system with any order of one of our Industrial Housekeeping Vacuum Systems. Our Vac-U-Gun system is a versatile tool that can help you clean up surfaces and transfer the material from point A to point B. The Vac-U-Gun can also be used as a powerful blow gun simply by unscrewing the generator and flipping it around. Best of all these units have no moving parts meaning they will run almost indefinitely and are maintenance free.

Vac-U-Gun System

Our industrial housekeeping products are designed to either handle dry solids or liquid.

If you need to handle solid material our Chip Vac system is the perfect choice. The system can handle both dry and damp material and transfer it into one of our standard open top steel drum (or use one of your own drums). If you are working with a heavier or abrasive material then look no further then the Heavy Duty Dry Vac which provides superior performance and abrasion resistance for use with materials as garnet, ground glass, blasting and tumbling media.

Chip Vac system From left to right: 5gal, 30gal, 55gal, 110gal

For your dustier applications we offer the Heavy Duty HEPA Vac system, which uses the same vacuum generator as the Heavy Duty Dry Vac but provides a higher level of filtration. The HEPA rated filter meets the requirements of 99.97% filtration at the 0.3 micron level.

Heavy Duty HEPA Vac system from left to right: 30gal, 55gal, 110gal

If liquids are what you need the Reversible Drum Vac system which can pump 55 gals in 90 secs is an good choice. The Reversible Drum Vac also comes in a High Lift version which can be used to pump liquids that have a much thicker viscosity and move liquids up to 15’ deep. When it comes filtering out solids from your liquid we also have the High Lift Chip Trapper and the Chip Trapper system. The Chip Trapper systems allow you to filter out solids suspended in the liquid; this is perfect for filtering out chips from your coolant tanks for machining.

Chip Trapper System from left to right: 30gal, 55gal, 110gal

If you need to clean up both liquids and solids, choose our new EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac system. The EasySwitch allows you to easily switch the unit from being able to vacuum up solids to being able to suck up liquids (hence the name). All you have to do is remove the HEPA filter from the latch on the lid. There are no tools involved, no springs or cumbersome closures. Switch from liquids to dry materials in less than 15 seconds.

The New EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac system

If you have any questions about compressed air systems or want more information on any of EXAIR’s products, give us a call, we have a team of Application Engineers ready to answer your questions and recommend a solution for your applications.

Link to our Promotion Page

Cody Biehle
Application Engineer
EXAIR Corporation
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