Just Needs A Little More To The Left

I’ve come across many applications where customers run multiple different parts or products along the same line, and each requires some form of blowoff before moving to the next stage. Too often, a system designed for just one specific part can’t keep up with the variations. Sometimes the “solution” ends up being to crank up the compressed air, which is wasteful and inefficient.

Instead of increasing air pressure or fabricating new mounts every time there’s a changeover, consider installing EXAIR’s Stay Set Hoses or Swivel Fittings.

            Stay Set Hoses are flexible and hold their shape once positioned, making them ideal for quickly adapting to different parts on the line. Available in 1/8″ and 1/4″ MNPT fittings (or a mix of both) and various lengths, these hoses can support anything from a Nano Super Air Nozzle to a Super Air Amplifier—or even a Super Air Knife. Repositioning them is easy: just bend the hose by hand to aim the airflow exactly where it’s needed for the new part.

                Swivel Fittings may be a better fit if your application doesn’t require much flexibility but still needs occasional fine-tuning. These allow up to 25 degrees of movement off axis, are made of durable 303 stainless steel, and help you easily refocus nozzles without a full tear down.

If your blowoff system isn’t keeping up with your line changes, it might be time to explore how Stay Set Hoses and Swivel Fittings can bring efficiency and adaptability to your process.       

Brian Farno, MBA – CCASS Application Engineer

BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF

The (Not So) Dreaded Warranty Claim Call, Resolved

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about warranty claims…one, specifically, that I had recently received (it’s still worth a look even if you remember it well, just for another chance to see the old luggage commercial with the gorilla again.) I also advised my readers to stay tuned, which reminds me of another blast from my past as a kid who watched way too much TV in the early 1970’s…

same_bat-time_same_bat-channel

We did, in fact, receive and evaluate the failed Stay Set Hose. This is a formal process by which our Quality Control team analyzes all the information that I can give them as to the application, installation, and use of the product. They then perform a detailed inspection, evaluation, and test (if needed) of the product in question. I won’t say we never find manufacturing or assembly problems, but our records indicate we’ve never found the same one twice…we’re keenly aware that the first time may be a mistake, but the second time is a choice.

More often than not, we find the problem is due to easily correctable installation, operation, or air supply problems. In this case, when we inspected the bendable element, we could see that it had been subjected to an unsupported, twisting motion, which had fatigued it at the point where it was bent, and sheared it away from its internal connection.  The customer and I had already gone over the common best practices for their use (which included properly supporting the hose while bending…see pictures below,) so they got a replacement Stay Set Hose, and are back in operation.

Hose is being bent with one hand, with no support at the bending point.  DON'T DO THIS.
Hose is being bent with one hand, with no support at the bending point. DON’T DO THIS.

Hose is being held firmly at connection end, providing support for the element's connection inside the fitting.  DO THIS INSTEAD.
Hose is being held firmly at connection end, providing support for the element’s connection inside the fitting. DO THIS INSTEAD.

If you’ve got questions about how EXAIR’s Intelligent Compressed Air Products…and accessories…can make better use of your compressed air, give me a call.

Russ Bowman
Application Engineer
(513)671-3322 local
(800)923-9247 toll free
(513)671-3363 fax
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