Electronic Flow Control and Its Many Uses

| October 16, 2020

With each passing year, energy efficiency becomes a higher priority for industrial operations. Whether the goal is meeting new sustainability requirements, cutting operations costs, or increasing the longevity of current equipment, the move to efficiency and, by extension, reduced energy consumption is the clear-cut next step for nearly every industry. But what does the shift to energy efficiency look like? In all likelihood, this shift will come from many small changes throughout the system.

In large-scale industrial settings, it can be difficult to see how small changes can make a meaningful difference in how many resources are used on a daily basis. But make no mistake, inefficient, quick solutions are a major source of waste in systems of all sizes. Look at blowoff as an example. A common, inexpensive part used for blowoff is simply drilled-out pipe through which compressed air passes. A piece of pipe with holes drilled in it doesn’t seem like it would drain much air and costs significantly less than something more tailored to the situation, such as Air Knives or Air Wipes, but the constant drain on air supply builds up, especially when similar inefficiencies are scattered throughout the system. 

Exair Electronic Flow Controller 

The Exair EFC is an outstanding example of compressed air technology that boosts efficiency, saving money and helping better meet green regulations. The EFC combines a photoelectric sensor with a timing control, limiting compressed air use by simply switching airflow off when no part is present. The timing control can be easy tuned to the application requirements, and sensing distance can be altered as well.

Applications

  • Auto body blowoff
  • Package cleaning
  • Part drying after wash
  • Dust removal
  • Scrap removal
  • Filling operations
  • Cooling hot parts
  • Neutralizing static
  • Cleaning molded parts

Advantages

  • Easy electrical hook-up; 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
  • NEMA 4/IP66 environments
  • Compact sensor for mounting in tight spaces
  • Eight function analog timer for on/off , pulsing and delay control
  • Timer setting from 0.10 sec. to 120 hrs.
  • Sensor withstands water and dust for accurate readings
  • Sensor has superior immunity to noise and inductive loads
  • Sensor has long distance sensing up to 3 feet (1m)

Meet Operational Goals with Ease

As nearly every operations specialist knows, small inefficiencies build up, and solutions that pay for themselves in only a few months or weeks of operation are always worth it. Resistance to making these small changes almost always comes from a couple of common misunderstandings:

  1. Underestimation of the amount of waste generated by nonspecific solutions and poor resource management
  2. Lack of understanding on how much tailor-made solutions can save in the long-run

Thanks to modern compressed air technology solutions, both of these points can be easily addressed with pinpoint-accurate usage data.

How Airtec Can Help

The Exair EFC is just one of numerous solutions we offer that can help you build a better system. We take care to seek out the latest and best of compressed air technology to help our clients meet and exceed their goals. From identifying and repairing leakage to making product recommendations to installation, we have experience needed to provide you with exactly what you need, no matter your industry. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our compressed air solutions.

The Difference Compressed Air Accessories Can Make

| July 28, 2020

In many industrial systems, the most damage is often done by the smallest oversight. The quantity of degraded components can easily build up if not consistently addressed, leading to problems as wide ranging as constant resource waste and catastrophic shutdown. In this day and age, when operational budgets are being reevaluated and cut left and right, there’s absolutely no room for waste. That’s why we at Airtec offer an array of recommended products and services that includes technology-driven compressed air solutions, like SUTO, aimed at preparing your system for whatever lies ahead.

SUTO offers among the most advanced and cost-effective compressed air solutions on the market, from data-powered controls to precision sensors to their purpose-built software suite. Every single SUTO product is integrated into a single database that is accessible via their dashboard, so you can instantly view the status of your full compressed air system all in one console. With SUTO’s compressed air technology, routine maintenance becomes much simpler while also reducing the margin for error. In addition to keeping your system operating at its peak, SUTO also provides some of the best spot-checking tools in the business, allowing you to locate any and all leaks or power losses. 

Leak Detection and Power Measuring

Leak detection is a critical part of maintaining compressed air efficiency, but it is often time-consuming. After all, manually checking-up on an entire compressed air system on a regular basis is almost impossibly labor-intensive. However, when you couple the data gathered by SUTO’s sensors with their advanced S 530 Leak Detector, leak detection and repair can be handled much more quickly and with a higher degree of accuracy. To a similar end, with SUTO’s S 110 Power Meter, you can be sure that your air compressor is always functioning the way it should. SUTO’s solutions give you the power to operate your system at the highest possible levels. 

S 530 Leak Detector for Pneumatic Systems

  • Leak detection in compressed air, refrigerants, or any gas
  • Insulation test for doors and windows
  • Detect partial electrical discharges that damages insulation
  • Transforms inaudible signals into a frequency which can be easily heard
  • Additional features include
    • Noise-isolated headset 
    • Integrated laser pointer to spot leaks from a distance
    • Ultrasonic tone generator used to find small openings in unpressurized environments 

S 110 Power Meter for Air Compressors

  • Measure the actual power consumption in kW and accumulate the Energy consumption in kWh of a 3-phase load
  • Measure other parameters such as current, voltage, cos phi etc.
  • Hat rail, wall mountable and portable versions are available

With SUTO, you can put the days of elusive leaks, mysterious power dips, and frequent malfunctions comfortably behind you, all while further optimizing your system in preparation for further economic twists and turns. The solutions above are designed specifically for compressed air systems, reducing the risk of false positives. To learn more about SUTO, compressed air technology, or Airtec and how we can help you optimize your system, please feel free to reach out to us today.

Why It’s Important to Monitor Compressed Air Quality

| June 30, 2020

A compressed air system is only as good as its air supply. Many of the best designed systems are rendered significantly less efficient and powerful, simply because of low quality air supply. What’s more, low quality compressed air can ruin products and jeopardize safety standards in facilities under strict safety guidelines. However, ensuring high quality for air supply can be pretty challenging, especially in more complex systems that make prominent use of ambient air. To meet this challenge, you need to be able to examine the air quality of the full system, not just a few different points. Fortunately, a few cost-effective but advanced compressed air technology solutions can help.

How SUTO and Airtec Can Help

One Airtec’s most highly-recommended product lines, SUTO offers integrated compressed air software and hardware solutions aimed at offering expansive visibility into the everyday operations of your compressed air system. SUTO air quality monitoring tools provide clear but expansive metrics on contaminant levels in any given area of your system. Using these tools, you can maintain high quality standards, increasing longevity for moving parts, guaranteeing product quality, and bolstering efficiency and cost savings. To learn more about any of the products below, please feel free to reach out to us today!

S 120 Oil Vapor Sensor

  • Measures oil vapor contents in compressed air and other gases
  • Can be used for permanent or in portable applications
  • Measures down to 0.003 mg/m³
  • Easy connection through sampling hose and quick connect
  • Output signals: – 4 … 20 mA
    • RS-485, Modbus RTU
    • Relay switch (NO)
  • PID sensor for highest accuracy
  • Service and Alarm indication through LED
  • Connectable to SUTO displays and data loggers as well as third parties displays and control units
  • Optional integrated 5” touch screen and data logger

S 130 Laser Particle Counter

  • Easy connection to compressed air through 6 mm quick-connector
  • Can be used as a portable or stationary instrument
  • Particle sizes from 0.1 – 5.0 μm (depending on model)
  • Optional display
  • Measures according to ISO 8573-4
  • Output signals:
    • RS-485, Modbus RTU
    • SDI (SUTO internal signal)
    • Relay switch (NO)
  • Connectable to SUTO displays and data loggers as well as third parties displays and control units
  • Optional integrated 5” touch screen and data logger

S 600 Compressed Air Purity Analyzer

  • Particle Concentration Measurement
    • Measurement methods according to ISO 8573 standards (together with isokinetic sampling device)
    • Latest laser detection technology
    • Smallest particle size 50% per JIS, bigger sizes 100% per JIS
  • Dew Point Measurement
    • Uunique multiple sensor technology allows for broad measurements
    • Long-term stability and established measurement methods
    • Highly accurate with margins at  ±2°C
  • Oil Vapor Measurement
    • Advanced photoionisation detector (PID) with self-calibration
    • Wide range of oil vapor concentrations
    • High accuracy with 5% of reading ± 0.003 mg/m³
  • Pressure Measurement
    • State-of-the-art sensor technology
    • High-quality auxiliary compressed air system data
  • Plug and Play Measurements at a Touch
    • Integrated data logger records all channels in parallel for further analysis and PDF reports
    • 5’’ touchscreen interface and software guidance to easily run pre-set measurement routines

S 601 Compressed Air Purity Analyzer

  • Particle concentration measurement
    • Channel sizes: 0.3 … 0.5, 0.5 … 1.0, 1.0 … 5.0 μm (A) 0.1 … 0.5, 0.5 … 1.0, 1.0 … 5.0 μm (B)
    • Laser particle counting technology
    • Counting efficiency: 50% for smallest size
      •  95% for all other sizes
  • Oil vapor measurement
    • Latest PID sensor technology
    • Ranges from 0.003 … 10.000 mg/m3
    • High precision: 5%
  • Dew point measurement
    • Dual sensor technology (Polymer and QCM)
    • Wide measuring range of -100°C … +20°C
    • High precision of ±2°C
  • Pressure measurement
    • Measuring range 0.3 … 1.5 MPa
    • Accuracy of 1% FS
  • Compressed air connection through 6 mm quick connect
  • Ethernet (Modbus TCP), RS-485 (Modbus RTU) and USB interface
  • Low purge air loss
  • 100 … 240 VAC power supply
  • 5” color touchscreen with data logger

Using Data to Improve Your Industrial Compressed Air System

| June 11, 2020

Compressed air technology is taking rapid strides with each passing year. From efficiency-boosting flow measurement to sophisticated but sturdy dew point sensors, the quantity of possibilities present in this new tech is incredible. At Airtec, we strive to continually seek the best products and practices for compressed air systems today, and within the world of compressed air technology, SUTO is consistently one of our top recommendations. 

SUTO’s IoT products allow you to monitor your entire system in a single interface, meaning that you don’t have to waste time combing through your system for individual measurements. Instead, SUTO offers several different displays/data loggers to provide you with visual representation of exactly what is going on in your system at any given time. To learn more about any of the solutions below, please feel free to reach out to our team today!

Displays and Data Loggers

S 330/331 Display and Data Logger

  • High resolution 5“ colour touch screen interface
  • All SUTO sensors and compatible third party sensors are connectable
    • 16 x Modbus inputs (58 standard or optional 108 Channels)
    • 2 x SDI inputs (12 channels)
    • 2 x Analog and pulse input (4 channels)
    • Plus 10 virtual channels for calculations like kW/m³/min or Differential pressure
  • 2 wall casings available: 4 cable glands or 7 cable glands
  • USB interface for data transfer to data stick or PC
  • RS-485 (Modbus RTU) and Ethernet (Modbus TCP) interface to factory automation system
  • 10 W sensor power supply (24 VDC)
  • Data logger (S 331 only): 100 million values
  • Alarm monitoring with 2 relay outputs
  • Integrated web server for remote monitoring
  • Quick set up
  • Various options for system extension

S 320 Display 

The S 320 local display provides a simple, cost effective solution where information from a single difficult to access sensor is required.

S 551 Compressed Air Analyzer

  • Easy to use
    • Just connect the sensor and start the recording, no configuration and programming required
    • Easy operation through color-touch display
  • Flexible
    • Connectable sensors for all required measurement tasks (air flow, air consumption, power consumption, pressure, temperature and many more)
    • Up to 24 inputs through extension boxes and Modbus
    • Several loggers can be combined: no need to have long cables from the sensor to the logger
    • Third party sensors can be easily connected
  • Safe
    • Power glitches and cuts won‘t affect performance: battery backup power
  • Efficient
    • S 551 logs data on site
    • Data is analyzed in the office
    • Full software package includes:
      • S4A for basic analysis
      •  CAA for compressed air audit analyzes

Software

As useful as visual interfaces are, they are only as good as the software behind them. SUTO offers some of the most advanced and accurate software on the market. Their S4M offering is part of a new generation of monitoring software designed to monitor systems of all scales with pinpoint accuracy.

Smart Compressed Air System Monitoring with S4M

  • Data acquisition of from an unlimited number of sensors from locations all over the world
  • Alarm monitoring and indications on screen, relay and SMS
  • Secure data storage on local hard drive in a SQL database
  • Server / client architecture
  • Application software installed on Windows PC
  • Client access through web browser (PC, tablet, HMI terminal)
  • Remote access via Internet 
  • Scalable customizable solution
  • Communication with field devices through Modbus TCP or Modbus RTU or via web
  • Multi-language support
  • Email feature for sending alarms and reports
  • Consumption reporting (optional)

Dew Point Sensors: A Valuable Application for Compressed Air Technology

| June 11, 2020

Dew point monitoring is among the most important steps you can take when caring for your compressed air technology. If the dew point isn’t where it should, moisture will accumulate in your compressed air system, resulting in pipe corrosion, reduced lifespan for pneumatic parts, and even unscheduled downtime. Fortunately, thanks to massive leaps in compressed air technology, dew point monitoring is now easier and more accurate than ever before, with companies like SUTO leading the way. 

One of Airtec’s most highly recommended product lines, SUTO offers compressed air technology that allows you to access data from sensors placed throughout your system, giving you a clear picture of the status of your compressed air system. With SUTO’s dew point sensors and monitors, you can see the dew points of different parts of your system in a central dashboard, helping you identify where problems might be occurring. Additionally, many SUTO sensors have automated notifications that are sent when dew points reach a certain threshold, allowing you to take control quickly.

SUTO’s Dew Point Sensors and Meters

All of the SUTO dew point sensors and meters offer rapid response time and a durable, long-lasting build. Many are also equipped with SUTO’s IP65 casing, providing robust protection for even the most rugged industrial environments. If you’re interested in learning more about any of the below or our other efficiency-boosting solutions, feel free to reach out to Airtec today!

S 220 Dew Point Sensor (-100ºC … 0ºC)

  • Small size makes it ideal for dryer installations
  • Measures dew points down to -100°C
  • SUTO QCM sensor technology
  • Version with integrated pressure measurement
  • Various output versions available: 1 x 4 at 20 mA, 2 x 4 at 20 mA, RS-485 (Modbus), 4 at 20 mA loop powered
  • Can be installed directly into dryers through G 1/2” thread
  • High accuracy of ±2°C dew point
  • M12 connector

S 212 Dew Point Sensor (-50ºC … 20ºC)

  • For low dew point applications down to -50ºC 
  • High accuracy of ±2°C dew point

S 215 Dew Point Sensor (-20ºC … +50ºC)

  • Affordable dew point sensor for mid range applications such as refrigerant dryer monitoring
  • Can be installed directly into dryers through G ½” thread
  • High accuracy of ±2°C dew point

S 217-OEM Dew Point Sensor (-50ºC … +50ºC)

  • Small size makes it ideal for dryer installations
  • Measures dew points down to -50°C
  • 2-wire or 3-wire output
  • Can be installed directly into dryers through G 1/2” thread
  • High accuracy of 1°C to 2°C dew point
  • Withstands condensation
  • M8 / M12 connector and cable with open wires

S 230/231 Dew Point Sensor (-100ºC … +20ºC)

  • Dew point sensor with optional ATEX, IECEx approval
  • Dual sensor technology for high accuracy of 2°C over the whole range from -100°C to +20°C
  • Two outputs available: 4 … 20 mA, RS-485 (Modbus RTU).

S 201 Dew Point Sensor With Display and Alarm (-60ºC … +20ºC)

  • For low dew point applications down to -60°C
  • Graphic display and Relay output
  • Can be installed directly into dryers through G ½” thread
  • High accuracy of ±2°C dew point

S 305 Dew Point Monitor (-50ºC … +20ºC / -20ºC … +50ºC)

  • 2 models: -50°C … +20°C and -20°C … +50°C
  • Plug & Play (complete solution)
  • Compressed air supply through 6 mm Quick-Connect
  • Power supply: 100 … 240 VAC or 24 VDC
  • Wall or panel mountable
  • Accuracy of ±2°C
  • 4 … 20 mA output to PLC or SCADA system
  • Pre– and Main-Alarm programmable:
    • Optical: red blinking display
    • 2 relay outputs

S 505 Portable Dew Point Meter (-100ºC … +50ºC)

  • Measures dew point, temperature and pressure (all in one instrument)
  • 3 sensor solutions available:
    • Q: -100°C … -30°C sensor for trace moisture applications
    • P: -50°C … +50°C sensor for standard applications
    • Q+P: covering the full range of dew point measurement
  • Modern color touch screen interface
  • Data logger, USB interface, wireless connection to portable printer
  • Measuring / parking chamber for fast sensor response
  • Application software included

Digital Flow Meters: Compressed Air Technology

| June 11, 2020

In this day and age, the need for operational efficiency has never been greater. As organizations look to cut costs left and right, you need to be ready to offer up ways to save money. In the world of industrial systems, this can be pretty difficult, as your facility Your compressed air system can either be a powerful asset or a source of high energy costs. At Airtec, we offer products and services specifically designed to help you get the most out of your system. With that in mind, the products capable of making the biggest difference in your compressed air system combine the latest technological advances with long-held best practices for compressed air. This approach is what makes SUTO products so valuable to your compressed air system.
is likely set up to operate in a very specific way. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can boost efficiency, and in the cases of Airtec’s product recommendations, you’ll find that efficiency boosting also means performance boosting. 

 

SUTO’s IoT-Powered Flow Meters

SUTO offers some of the best, most practical, and most advanced compressed air solutions currently on the market. All SUTO products, including sensors, flow meters, air quality meters, and data loggers are connected via the Internet of Things, meaning that all devices can be controlled by one master control and all data can be viewed in one place. This is especially useful for compressed air systems due to how complex they are.

SUTO flow meters and sensors are designed to provide pinpoint-accurate measurements on airflow, allowing you to see any variation in airflow that might indicate leakage or some other loss of compressed air. They offer 5 different IoT-enabled flow meters and sensors to suit any purpose:

S 401/421 Thermal Mass Flow Sensor

  • Measures standard flow, mass flow, consumption and temperature 
  • Thermal mass flow, independent of pressure and temperature changes 
  • IP65 casing provides robust protection in rough industrial environment 
  • Rapid response time 
  • High accuracy and wide measuring range 
  • App for mobile phones and tablets for wireless sensor settings 
  • Sensor can be calibrated for 2 different gases

S 415/418 Thermal Mass Flow Meter

  • Thermal mass flow measurement, independent of pressure and temperature 
  • Service App for setup and configuration 
  • Accuracy of 1.5% o. RDG (S 418) and 3% o. RDG (S 415) 
  • Simple installation, no straight pipe
    required 
  • Measures the full flow, no bypass measurement 
  • 4-Digit LED display 
  • Integrated data logger 

 

S 450/452 Heavy Duty Industry Flow/Consumption Sensor

  • No moving parts, non clogging 
  • All contacting parts are made of stainless steel 316L 
  • Robust metal enclosure suitable for out-door applications in harsh environment 
  • Wireless interface for sensor settings on site 
  • Display showing flow rates, consumption, medium temperature and diagnostic results 

 

 

S 430 Pitot Tube Flow/Consumption Sensor

  • Flow and consumption measurement in wet air or high mass flow / velocity applications 
  • High temperature applications up to 200°C 
  • No mechanical wear parts 
  • All contact parts are made of stainless steel

 

S 460 Ultrasonic Flow Meter

  • Measure liquid flows for
    • Chemical addition 
    • Cooling and heating water 
    • Drinking water 
    • Broad range of refined hydrocarbons 

S 409 Flow Direction Switch for Compressed Air/Gases

  • Detects smallest changes < 0.1 m/s referred to 20°C and 1000 hpa 
  • No mechanical wear parts 
  • Easy installation under pressure

 

Airtec Can Help You Install Compressed Air Technology

With SUTO, you can open up countless new ways to optimize your system for efficiency without sacrificing power. If you’re interested in learning more about SUTO’s offerings or other ways to optimize your compressed air system, feel free to contact us today. 

 

We offer free quotes on our efficiency solutions and would love to help you achieve your operational goals.

Bring Leak Detection into 2020

| February 11, 2020

Every day, countless new advancements are being introduced to compressed air systems. In most cases, this new tech ends up saving money by reducing operations costs through efficiency boosting. 

One specific area that has shown a lot of innovation over the last few years has been leak detection. Of all the new compressed air technology currently available, leak detection technology and master controls have proven to be among the most valuable. This is very much in step with long-held best practices for compressed air. 

Leakage repair is among the most important tasks you can do to ensure operational efficiency. New compressed air master controls, like our recommended brands, SUTO, AIRMATICS, and Energair, effectively add a level of automation that reveals where leaks occur throughout your system, eliminating the time-consuming process of tracking leaks down manually. 

Airmatics is an Air compressor IIoT platform

Leak Detection and Efficiency Boosting

At Airtec, efficiency is our top priority. Whether we’re combing through your system looking for leaks or recommending new products and improvements, our primary goal will always be to provide you with the tools you need to better your facility as a whole. Our recommendations for master controls were selected specifically to help bolster your system’s efficiency by giving you more control over airflow and more information on the way your system actually uses resources. 

As powerful as it is, compressed air is rarely utilized to its full potential, because there are countless areas that can leak or overuse compressed air. With master controls, you no longer have to worry about wondering where you’re wasting resources, because you can clearly see where leaks occur in the master interface. In most cases, locating the leak is about 80% of the battle, as repairs are typically not too difficult. 

Beyond simple leak detection, monitoring tools give you detailed information on the quality of your compressed air. High-quality compressed air is paramount to increasing operational efficiency, reducing general wear-and-tear and keeping point-of-use products from damage caused by clogging.

At this point, you might be wondering, “What’s the point of permanent monitoring tools after I make all the necessary repairs?” Unfortunately, even the most advanced compressed air system will still have problems at some point, and it’s better and significantly more cost-effective to have a system consistently working at its peak than one that requires you to run through a checklist every 6 months only to realize something isn’t quite working the way it should. 

Helping You Make the Right Choice

With any new compressed air technology, figuring out what you actually need and how to use it can be a bit difficult. At Airtec, we offer consultation and training services to help you implement new tech into your system seamlessly. Between our years of experience in the compressed air industry and our expertise in new IoT technology, Airtec can help you take advantage of Cloud-based controls with ease, saving you money, time, and resources. 

If you’re interested in learning more about compressed air monitoring technology or any of our other solutions, please feel free to contact us at any time!

Pneumatic Conveying: Move Materials Efficiently

| January 7, 2020

Within any industrial system, the movements of materials from Point A to Point B isn’t exactly seen as an opportunity to improve operations. If anything, it’s a challenge to be overcome then swiftly forgotten, allowing the processes put into place to take their course. But like anything in industrial systems, there is always room for improvement. The question is always, “Is the improvement worth it?” With Exair pneumatic conveying Line Vacs, the answer is undoubtedly yes.

As a constantly-operating part of most facilities, material movement can take a lot of energy to accomplish, whether the transported substances are nuts and bolts, gravel, plastic pellets, food products, pills, or even shavings, sawdust, and other granules. Exair Line Vacs are, by far, the most efficient way to transport these small materials from one place to another, using only a small injection of compressed air and no additional electricity.

Heavy Duty Line Vacs for Rugged Applications

Line vacs, such as those produced by Exair, are easily the most versatile solutions for material relocation. They can be attached to the tubing or piping of your choice, which can be stretched over horizontal and vertical distances. 

The Heavy Duty Line Vac, the most powerful of Exair’s pneumatic conveying solutions, is designed to handle the heaviest of small material transportation duties. It sends larger materials greater distances than any standard line vac, moving up hundreds of pounds of materials per hour over 200+ feet. This workhorse features a hardened alloy construction, designed to withstand the rugged industrial applications that might wear down a similar product composed of aluminum of stainless steel. The Exair Heavy Duty Line Vac is available in a multitude of sizes ranging from 3/4″ all the way up to 3”.

At Airtec, we are constantly keeping an eye out for most innovative and effective compressed air products to provide you with high-quality solutions. The Exair Heavy Duty Line Vac is no exception, providing you with an efficient way to move your heavy materials at a relatively low cost. 

Airtec’s Industry Expertise

At Airtec, we reveal opportunities for efficiency-boosting throughout any system by way of efficient compressed air products. Whether we are helping you bolster the efficiency of your existing compressed air system or providing you with new solutions that ultimately reduce operations costs, our recommendations are designed to save you money, time, and energy, all while helping you reduce your facility’s carbon footprint.

We use our decades of experience to create solutions specifically to fit your system from the beginning, providing you with exactly what you need to improve your operations. With Airtec, you don’t need to worry about ending up with a “one-size-fits-all” compressed air solution. If you’re interested in learning more about Airtec, our team, or our solutions, please feel free to contact us. 

We offer free quotes on all of our compressed air solutions!

The Ionizing Bar: Strategic Static Elimination

| January 7, 2020

During the chilly, dry months of winter, protecting your system from static buildup is typically a high priority. From maintaining product quality to protecting your employees from static discharge in high friction environments, the importance of static elimination can’t be overstated, especially in large-scale facilities that generate a lot of friction. Fortunately, there are many tools and best practices you can adopt to make the process of static elimination easier, many of which actually end up saving you money by reducing the wear-and-tear and other problems caused by static. 

EXAIR Ionizing BarsAt Airtec, we pride ourselves on creating efficient solutions for the common problems facing industrial environments, reducing wasted energy and saving time and money.  For the purpose of static elimination, we offer a multitude of efficient solutions, such as the Ion Air Wipe for precision applications, the Ion Air Knife for strategic placement and blowoff, and the Ion Bar for large sheets of plastic, paper, or film. Each of these products are highly efficient and versatile, perfect for strategic use throughout your system. For large scale blowoff and static elimination on flat surfaces, the Exair Gen4 Ionizing Bar is among the best solutions on the market today. 

Reducing Static While Saving Money

Within industrial facilities, static buildup is an incredibly common problem due to the high friction created by the constant motion of various pieces of equipment. With enough friction, static buildup can become a serious problem, resulting in interference with sensors, leading to incorrect readings, attraction of particles in the air, leading to issues with paint, coating, or general product quality, or even hazardous static discharge, which can put your employees at risk. 

The Exair Gen4 Ionizing Bar can alleviate static buildup by eliminating static at the points where buildup occurs. If your system deals with paper, film, or other sheets of products and materials, you are likely aware of how much static builds up on materials that have a large surface area. This ion bar eliminates static buildup by creating a curtain of both positive and negative ions in high concentration for your products at materials to pass under. Using a small amount of power, Exair’s ion bar charges the air surrounding its emitter points, resulting in ion-charged air that draws positive and negative charge away from anything passing beneath the bar. The Exair Gen4 Ionizing Bar features an electromagnetically-shielded shockless power cable and a lightweight aluminum build and comes in a variety of sizes to fit your purposes, ranging from 3 inches all the way up to 108 inches.

Our Dedication to High-Quality, Efficient Solutions

At Airtec, we work hard to provide our clients with the products and solutions needed to operate efficiently. Our services and recommendations are designed specifically to help save money through reduced resource expenditures, ultimately lowering long-term operational costs and reducing your facility’s carbon footprint. Additionally, many of our recommended products reduce wear-and-tear, increasing the longevity of your resources. 

If you are interested in learning more about any of our products, our expert recommendations, or how you can improve your system, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We offer free quotes on our efficient solutions and would love you help you meet your goals.

The Basics of the Line Vac

| November 22, 2019

Compressed air and compressed air products have an incredible quantity of distinct uses in a wide variety of industrial settings, from massive manufacturing facilities to small machine shops. These versatile products can be used to many different ends, helping you reduce operations costs, increase productivity, and accomplish new levels of efficiency. One of the most highly efficient compressed air products is the Air Conveying Line Vac. 

Line vacs are among the best ways to move materials from Point A to Point B, wherever that may be in your system. Using only a small amount of compressed air, line vacs create a vacuum that can be used to transport large quantities of materials through the piping of your choosing.

Conveying Materials of Many Shapes and Sizes

Line vacs, or “air-operated conveyors”, are primarily used to move materials, components, and parts from one part of the system to another. The line vacs we at Airtec offer are designed to operate efficiently, electricity-free. They are solely powered by a small stream of compressed air that flows through the inlet into an annular plenum chamber. This jet of air is then injected into the throat of the line vac via directed nozzles, creating a powerful vacuum at the intake. The vacuum draws materials in and accelerates them through the piping, conveying them over long vertical or horizontal distances.

Materials that can be conveyed include but are not limited to nuts, bolts, packing materials, food products, paper, shavings, sawdust, and textiles. 

Our Recommended Air Conveying Line Vacs

At Airtec, we pride ourselves on making product recommendations that suit your needs exactly. Our solutions are tailor-made to fit the system, so you don’t have to worry about ending up with a poorly optimized, one-size-fits-all compressed air solution. Our collection of Exair Line Vacs cover the full spectrum of requirements for air conveying.

Exair Line Vac

This industry standard line vac is an excellent choice for a wide variety of applications. The Standard Line Vac is offered in 11 sizes in aluminum and 10 sizes in stainless steel.

Exair Threaded Line Vac

The Threaded Line Vac features threading that instantly transforms any ordinary piece of pipe into a powerful conveying system for parts, scrap, trim and other bulk materials.

Exair Heavy Duty Line Vac

The most powerful line vac we offer, the Exair Heavy Duty Line Vac is perfect for rugged industrial applications where durable solutions are absolutely necessary. This line vac features a hardened alloy build that is resistant to wear and tear.

Exair Light Duty Line Vac

The Light Duty Line Vac is extraordinarily efficient and perfect for conveying light materials for short distances. This line vac can be used to simplify smaller tasks where a larger line vac might be too much. 

Reach Out to Airtec for Your Compressed Air Efficiency Needs!

At Airtec, we believe in the power of efficient compressed air and what it can do for your system. We make our recommendations based on what is going to save you the most money, while actually reducing your facility’s carbon footprint. 

Reach out to us today to learn more about line vacs or chat with us about your system!