Tag: static electricity control

Super Ion Air Knives Overview

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

Static buildup is a common problem in many manufacturing environments that can present itself in a number of ways, including shocking operators; causing materials to stick, tear or jam; or affecting sensitive electrical equipment. If you have encountered static issues in your facility, or in your own home perhaps, you may have noticed that it tends to be more prevalent in colder and dryer environments. This is due to a reduction in moisture in the air. The water vapor found in air helps to dissipate electrical charges, so when there is less moisture, there will be a higher electrical charge. This is why we are currently running a promotion for all of our Static Elimination products, now through March 31st, 2025.

One such product line that is included in this promotion is our Gen4 Super Ion Air Knives. They are engineered to remove static electricity from plastics, webs, sheet stock and other product surfaces by bathing them in a laminar sheet of air that sweeps surfaces clean of static, particulate, dust and dirt. This causes production speeds, product quality, and surface cleanliness to dramatically improve.

When the Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife floods an area or surface with static eliminating ions – up to 20 feet away, the force can be adjusted from a “blast” to a “breeze”. The Gen4 Super Ion Air Knife is shock-less, and has no moving parts. It also requires only 3.7 SCFM of compressed air per foot of length at 5 PSIG. The sound level is also surprisingly quiet at 50 dBA for most applications.

Compressed air flows through an inlet (1) into the plenum chamber of the GEN 4 Super Ion Air Knife. The flow is directed to a precise, slotted orifice. The primary air flow exits, it creates a uniform sheet of air across the entire length that immediately pulls in surrounding room air (2). An electrically powered GEN 4 Ionizing Bar (3) fills the curtain of air with positive and negative charge. The airstream delivers these static eliminating ions to the product surface (4) where it instantly neutralizes static and cleans dust and other particulates.

If you would like to discuss your static elimination application, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

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Catching Static

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

Winter months can create the perfect conditions for static electricity, especially in colder climates. When the air is dry and cold, it becomes harder for electricity to move. This can lead to a buildup of static charge on our bodies and everyday objects. When we touch something metal or another person, we may feel a small shock. Understanding how winter affects static electricity can help us manage and reduce these annoying shocks during the cold months, and also address any issues static may cause in your industrial application.

Static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges on an object. This imbalance happens when two insulating materials rub against each other, causing one to gain electrons while the other loses them. As a result, one object becomes negatively charged, while the other becomes positively charged. The static charge stays on the surface of the material until it can either flow away as an electric current, or be released through a spark or discharge. This phenomenon is commonly experienced when touching metal objects after walking on carpet, which can create a small shock.

A powerful blast of static eliminating ionized air, literally at your fingertips.

To reduce static electricity in an industrial setting, controlling humidity is essential. Using humidifiers can help maintain a higher moisture level in the air, which reduces static buildup. Additionally, bonding equipment to Earth ground, helps to safely drain any static electricity that may accumulate. Implementing anti-static additives in materials, or using ionization systems can further minimize static issues. By combining these strategies, companies can create a safer and more efficient working environment.

Regardless of the nature of the application, if you’ve got a static problem, EXAIR has a solution!

The static eliminator product line from EXAIR provides effective and active solutions to remove static electricity from surfaces without any physical contact. This is especially useful for products with complex shapes, where traditional methods may fall short. With EXAIR’s Gen4 products, users can direct ionized airflow to reach every part of a target item, ensuring thorough static elimination. This technology helps to improve product quality and reduce the risk of damage during handling. Overall, EXAIR’s static eliminators are a practical choice for maintaining a static-free environment in various industries.

If you would like to discuss static eliminating products by EXAIR, please do not hesitate to contact an Application Engineer. We are always happy to help!

Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk

Static Season is Here

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

Here in Cincinnati we have officially hit static season. Highs in the low 30ies and lows in the teens mean the AC has been turned off and the furnaces are operating at full power. You can tell the air has a bit of a dryness to it. In fact, at home I just switched on the whole home humidifier as my RH was dropping and I was even shocked by a potato I was peeling for Thanksgiving Day mashed potatoes.

Just like our lips and hands can become dry and cracked, the moisture level in the air is also linked to static electricity. Cold air lacks the moisture that warm air contains. As winter temperatures drop, the air becomes drier, leading to a sensation of increased dryness. This moisture in the air is referred to as water vapor. Water vapor helps to dissipate electrical charges. When there’s less of it, your body retains a higher electrical charge. A higher charge results in more significant discharges. Therefore, it’s no surprise that during the winter months, you may experience more frequent static shocks, which can be a bit jarring when you touch a doorknob, your pet, or even, in my case, some potatoes.

Now, of course, you see this in your home life, but it also carries over to every manufacturing facility, as many processes tend to create static, so the dry air will only worsen the issues.

Static tends to propagate.  The more contact, detachment, and friction that occurs, the higher the static charges.  Even when the static is removed from the surface, static charges can still regenerate by the mechanisms above.  So, controlling the static can be determined by the treatment process as well as the location.

Regardless of the nature of the application, if you’ve got a static problem, EXAIR has a solution!

To combat static electricity in your processes, EXAIR manufactures a complete line of Static Eliminators. Any of them are available to ship on the same day from stock to customers in the U.S. with an order placed by 2:00 ET (1:00 ET for same day shipments to Canada). We’re all tired now of receiving extremely long lead times for seemingly everything we try to order. That’s not the case here at EXAIR, if you need a solution and FAST give us a call!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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EXAIR Press Release: Intellistat Ion Air Nozzles New Patent

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

The Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle has been used in clean room applications, most commonly to keep contaminants away from packaging and labeling areas. The Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle has a clean room classification: ISO 14644-1 Class 5, operational. And has recently acquired a new patent.

The +/- 30V offset allows you to achieve a very low residual charge at impressive static decay rates, reducing 1000V down to 100V in just 0.6 seconds. We’ve taken the same engineered nozzle technology used in our line of Super Air Nozzles to ensure the nozzle operates well below the OSHA standards for both noise exposure (29 CFR 1910.95(a)) and dead-end pressure (OSHA 1910.242(b)). The nozzle is also very efficient, minimizing compressed air usage compared to open tubes or pipes commonly used in blowoff applications. At a pressure of 80 PSIG, the Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle consumes just 5.8 SCFM of compressed air.

The nozzle assembly is constructed from durable dissipative polycarbonate to assure its usefulness in applications that require non-conductivity such as circuit boards or electronics manufacturing. It provides ionized airflow useful for removing dust, static, or particulate contaminants in sterile environments such as clean rooms, laboratories, or scientific testing.

In processes that require operators to have both hands free for packaging, testing, or assembly of small parts and products, the Intellistat Ion Air Nozzle is the ideal solution. It includes a 6mm push-in air connection and incorporates red and green LED lights to indicate proper functionality and performance.

EXAIR’s line of Intellistat products is UL listed and CE compliant, following suit with EXAIR’s complete line of Gen4 Static Eliminators. Take a look at our wide range of available solutions offered to ship same-day from stock on our website! If you need help identifying the best solution for your specific application, Application Engineers are standing by to help you via phone, chat, or e-mail. Reach out today!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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