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Air Knives

Use Compressed Air Efficiently to Blowoff, Clean, Dry or Cool
 

What is an Air Knife?

Air Knives offer a more efficient way to blow, clean, dry or cool parts, webs conveyors and other surfaces. In many cases, energy use for this air curtain is comparable to a blower without the costly maintenance and downtime.

The laminar airflow of the Super Air Knife is perfect for removing moisture prior to packaging, painting, labeling, bar coding and assembly. Common applications include drying parts, rolled steel, circuit boards, webs, bottles, cans and more. Velocity is easily adjusted from a "blast" to a "breeze" with a pressure regulator.

The Super Air Knife is ideal for blowing off chips, dirt or water from parts, webs or conveyors. It delivers a uniform sheet of air that has the same force across the entire length (a linear air nozzle). There are no interruptions or "dead spots" which mean all surfaces are dried or cleaned. The Super Air Knife is available in aluminum or stainless steel for corrosive, and high temperature applications.

Great volumes of airflow can be generated in very tight spaces due to the compact size of the Super Air Knife. Flow and force are easily controlled with a pressure regulator, allowing fast or gradual cooling. Shims can be installed if additional hard-hitting velocity is required.

The uniform airflow exits the Super Air Knife in a perfectly straight line (does not deflect). It is ideal for opening bags and pouches, floating webs, and keeping environments separate.

Applications

  • Part drying after wash
  • Sheet cleaning in strip mills
  • Conveyor cleaning
  • Part or component cooling
  • Web drying or cleaning
  • Environmental separation
  • Pre-paint blowoff
  • Bag opening/fill operations
  • Scrap removal on converting operations

Advantages

  • Quiet - 69 dBA for most applications
  • Minimal air consumption
  • 40:1 air amplification
  • Uniform airflow across entire length
  • Variable force and flow
  • No moving parts - maintenance free
  • Easy mounting - compressed air inlets on each end and bottom
  • Compact, rugged, easy to install
  • Stainless steel screws in all models
  • Recessed hardware for easy mounting
  • Stock lengths to 48" (122cm) in aluminum and stainless steel (ss - for temperatures up to 800°F (427°C), food processing or corrosive environments)
  • 316 stainless steel available on special order
  • Special lengths available
  • Unlimited system lengths of uninterrupted airflow available
 Two Super Air Knives blow water off bottles prior to labeling.

Two Super Air Knives blow water off bottles prior to labeling.
Three Standard Air Knives perform the drying cycle in this parts washer.

Three Standard Air Knives perform the drying cycle in this parts washer.
Five Super Air Knives blow chips off the fixture, tools and ways on this boring operation.

Five Super Air Knives blow chips off the fixture, tools and ways on this boring operation.
A Stainless Steel Super Air Knife dries bolt covers exiting an electro-polishing tank.

A Stainless Steel Super Air Knife dries bolt covers exiting an electro-polishing tank.
   

Smart Use Of Compressed Air

Almost every industrial facility has at least one compressor that is used for hundreds of different tools, equipment and operations. While most applications for compressed air present no real problems, some do. Improper use can translate into unnecessary energy costs, high noise levels and dangerous exposure of personnel to high pressure air.

Reduce Energy Costs

The best way to cut energy costs is through proper maintenance and use of the compressed air system. Leaks and dirty filters require maintenance on a regular basis. Energy savings can also be realized when replacing outdated motors and controls with high efficiency models that often pay for themselves in a short period of time. The most important factor to dramatically boost efficiency is proper use. The Super Air Knife uses only 1/3 of the compressed air of typical blowoffs used in cleaning, cooling and drying operations and can be instantly cycled on and off.

 

High noise level is a common problem for many plants. Compressed air noise often exceeds OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) noise level exposure requirements, resulting in hearing loss to those working in close proximity. The sound level of the Super Air Knife is quiet at under 70 dBA, even at high pressures of 80 PSIG (5.5 BAR). Using the Super Air Knife, it is possible to obtain hard-hitting force without the high noise.

  
     

To learn more about Air Knives, choose one of the following:

Super Air Knife - Aluminum or stainless steel air knives providing much higher efficiency than an ordinary air curtain.

Standard Air Knife - Aluminum or stainless steel air knives utilizing the Coanda effect to entrain surrounding air.
 

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