Tag: static dissipative

Laminate Flooring – Step Up to Protect the Surface

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

A manufacturer of laminated floor planks was having issues with defects prior to packaging.  The planks were made from a high-density fiberboard as the core with a top layer of a picturesque image, then sealed together.  They were getting fine material that was stuck on the surface, making them defective.  The issue was caused after the cutting process.  The fine debris remained on the surface and when the image or the sealing material was applied, it could be seen.  They tried wiping, but the solution caused scratches.  They tried blowing the surface to clear the debris, but due to the static, it would not fall off easily.  They required a good solution to improve the cleaning without slowing the process.  EXAIR’s Static Eliminators are a great product for industrial processes like this. 

In looking at the process, I recommended two pieces of a model 112242 42” Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife Kit.  The planks could come out in two spots or four spots.  (Reference photo above) To reduce compressed air usage, they could turn on or off which side is needed.  The customer asked about the mounting and compressed air attachments.  I mentioned the proper setup for the most effective blowing.  As a benefit, I offered a plumbing kit to help with the compressed air connection.  The PKI option, or Plumbing Kit Installed, has the proper amount of connection to the Super Ion Air Knife to allow for an even force across the entire knife.  I upgraded the model number with the PKI option to a model 112242PKI. 

Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife Kit

This kit will include the Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife with a PKI, a power supply, a filter, a regulator and a shim set.  The Gen4 Power Supply creates both positive and negative ions to remove any type of static.  The filter will remove bulk liquids and debris from the compressed air to keep the product clean and to optimize performance.  The Regulator is used to control the force.  This helps to not overuse the amount of compressed air required for the job.  With a regulator, you can make fine adjustments to get the proper amount of air.  For coarse adjustments, you can change shims to increase or decrease the force.  The customer was happy with the properly sized components to operate a non-contact wiping with the Gen4 Super Ion Air Knives. 

Once installed, their defect rate almost dropped to zero.  They were very happy with the cleanliness of the planks; they decided to purchase six more units.  They could place them in different areas of the lamination line to ensure a clean surface.  EXAIR manufactures a variety of Static Eliminator products.  If you feel that static is an issue in your process, you can always contact an Application Engineer to help you.  For the company above, they were “stepping” high.   

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

New ATEX EasySwitch® Wet-Dry Vac: Safer Industrial Cleanup in Explosive Environments

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

A pneumatic, ATEX-rated wet/dry vacuum built for Zones 1 and 21—switching between dry debris and liquid recovery in seconds.

EXAIR ATEX EasySwicth Vac for explosive environments.

Industrial cleanup is challenging enough—add potentially explosive atmospheres and the stakes go up fast. In ATEX-classified areas, using the wrong equipment can introduce ignition risks from sparks, heat, or static buildup. That is why EXAIR developed the ATEX EasySwitch® Wet-Dry Vac: a compressed-air-powered system designed to deliver reliable wet and dry cleanup in hazardous environments, including ATEX Zones 1 and 21.

What is the ATEX EasySwitch® Wet-Dry Vac?

The ATEX EasySwitch is a pneumatic (compressed-air-driven) industrial vacuum engineered for hazardous locations. It provides powerful suction for both dry materials (dust, powders, chips, absorbents) and liquids (including coolant), and it is designed to let operators switch between dry vacuuming and liquid recovery quickly using a simple latch mechanism.

Why Pneumatic Matters in Explosive Environments

In environments where explosive gases or combustible dust may be present, controlling ignition sources is critical. Because the ATEX EasySwitch operates solely on compressed air, it avoids many risks commonly associated with electric vacuums.

  • No electrical components to create sparks, heat, or motor-related failure points.
  • Static-dissipative design with proper grounding to help reduce electrostatic buildup.
  • No moving parts in the pneumatic vacuum generator, supporting a low-maintenance design for demanding use.
  • Built for ATEX Zones 1 and 21, supporting cleanup needs in hazardous, compliance-driven operations.

One vacuum for wet and dry cleanup

Cleanup needs change quickly on the plant floor. With the EasySwitch system, operators can move from dry debris collection to liquid recovery in seconds—helping reduce downtime when switching tasks. Typical materials include dust, powders, coolant, chips, and absorbents.

Where it fits: hazardous-area industrial cleanup

If operations include combustible dust or flammable atmospheres, a dedicated hazardous area vacuum can be a key part of safe housekeeping. The ATEX EasySwitch is designed to support compliant cleanup in critical environments where maintaining clean workspaces is essential.

Part of EXAIR’s industrial vacuum lineup

The ATEX EasySwitch joins EXAIR’s broader range of industrial vacuum systems built for efficiency and performance, including Reversible Drum Vacs for liquid transfer, Chip Trappers for separating solids from liquids, and Heavy Duty Dry and HEPA Vacs for fine dust collection.

Pricing and next steps

ATEX EasySwitch systems start at $3,900 USD. To learn more about specifications, configuration options, and fit for your application, contact EXAIR at (800) 903-9247 or email techelp@exair.com. More details: https://exair.co/atesv

Neal Raker, Application Engineering Manager
nealraker@exair.com

The Invisible Nuisance: Where Static Electricity Comes From and How to Kill It

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

We’ve all experienced it: the sudden “zap” when touching a doorknob, the frustration of plastic wrap sticking to everything but the bowl, or the sight of dust stubbornly clinging to a freshly painted surface.

While static electricity is a minor annoyance at home, in an industrial environment, it’s a productivity killer. It causes materials to jam, ruins electronic components, attracts contaminants, and can even pose a significant fire hazard.

But where does it actually come from? And more importantly, how do you get rid of it?

Static

At its core, static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges on the surface of a material. Most objects are electrically neutral, meaning they have an equal number of positive protons and negative electrons. Static is generated through a process called turbocharging. When two materials come into contact and then separate, electrons are “ripped” from one surface and transferred to the other.

Common industrial culprits include:

Friction: Material pulling off a roll (webbing) or sliding down a conveyor.

Pressure: Objects being squeezed through rollers.

Separation: Rapidly peeling a protective film or label.

In a perfect world, these charges would bleed off into the air. However, in dry environments or when using insulators (like plastics, paper, and textiles), the charge gets trapped on the surface. It stays “static” until it finds a way to discharge—usually into your hand or a sensitive piece of equipment.

So why is static a nightmare for production? If you are running a high-speed line for example, static electricity manifests in three expensive ways:

Dust Attraction: A charged surface acts like a magnet for airborne contaminants, leading to poor paint finishes or contaminated food packaging.

Product Misbehavior: Sheets of paper might double-feed, or plastic parts might “fly” off a conveyor belt due to repulsion.

Operator Shocks: Repeated painful shocks lead to fatigue and safety concerns for your team.

This is where EXAIR’s Gen4 Static Eliminators come in. You can’t always stop the friction that creates static, but you can neutralize the charge immediately after it’s formed. Unlike simple grounded brushes that need to touch the surface, EXAIR products use ionizing technology combined with compressed air to neutralize charges from a distance.

Some applications call for a fixed-in-place solution, like the (above, from left) Super Ion Air Knife, Super Ion Air Wipe, Ion Air Jet, and Ion Air Cannon. Others are best suited to the hand-held convenience of the Ion Air Gun.

Through the use of the Corona discharge method, EXAIR ionizers create a flood of both positive and negative ions. When this “cloud” of ions hits a charged surface, the surface automatically attracts the ions it needs to become neutral. Several common applications for our products are:

Ionizing Bar: High-speed webs, paper, and flat surfaces.

Ion Air Cannon: Neutralizing parts from a distance or in hard-to-reach areas.

Ion Air Gun: Manual cleaning and neutralizing of parts before painting or packaging.

Super Ion Air Knife: Providing a wide “sheet” of ionized air to clean and neutralize large surfaces simultaneously.

So why choose EXAIR? Our Gen4 technology is designed for rugged industrial use. They are shock less, meaning they are safe for operators to be around, and they require no moving parts, which translates to incredibly low maintenance. By integrating these into your process, you can increase line speeds, reduce scrap, and keep your workplace safe.

Ready to stop the shocks and start the flow? Give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Banner image: Image by TyrusTime from Pixabay

Static-Free Precision: Why Your Lab Needs the EXAIR Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

In high-precision environments like clean rooms, laboratories, and electronics manufacturing, static electricity is more than just a nuisance—it’s a potential deal-breaker. Whether you are assembling delicate circuit boards or cleaning medical slides, even a tiny charge can attract dust or damage sensitive components.

Enter the EXAIR Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle. This mountable, hands-free solution provides a continuous stream of ionized air to neutralize static and clear away contaminants without interrupting your workflow.

While handheld tools have their place, the Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle is designed for bench top and assembly station applications where you need both hands to work. Equipped with a stainless steel adjustable mounting bracket, installation is made easy.

Several key features include:

  • Rapid Static Decay: The nozzle can reduce 1000V down to 100V in just 0.6 seconds, neutralizing static from up to 24 inches away.
  • Clean room Ready: It holds an ISO 14644-1 Class 5 rating, making it suitable for sterile environments like pharmaceutical labs and biotechnology manufacturing.
  • Durable, Dissipative Construction: The body is made from static-dissipative polycarbonate, ensuring it won’t conduct electricity or cause discharge around sensitive circuit boards.
  • Safety & Compliance: It is OSHA compliant for both noise levels and dead-end pressure, and includes a low-voltage 24VDC power supply for added electrical safety.
  • Smart Indicators: Integrated green and red LEDs provide immediate feedback on the unit’s functionality, signaling if the emitter point needs cleaning.

If you’re looking for a high-performance upgrade to your workstation, or you’d like to discuss any other static elimination application, then give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Find us on the Web
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Twitter: @EXAIR_AW