Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: Air Control Industries | Subject: 'Airknife' systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 October 2003
'Airknives' beat airlines for drying
components
Blower driven 'airknife' systems offer a clean and cost effective means of achieving optimised drying of manufactured components, bottling/packaging lines, paint finish surfaces and textiles.
Effective drying, cleaning and cooling of conveyorised components/materials is difficult to achieve This is illustrated by the many varied techniques employed across different industries
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 15 Feb 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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One of the most common approaches is the use of compressed air taken from a central compressor-generated supply that is tapped for general use throughout a company's shop floor/production areas.
Unfortunately, the use of such compressed air sources for 'surface blow-off' and cooling is extremely inefficient and can result in contamination of product with oil and condensate.
Compressed air systems also suffer from high noise levels, plus potential health and safety risks due to the high pressures involved.
Further reading
Ingenious blower systems a hit in auto industry
Major automotive manufacturers use Airknife systems from Air Control Industries both to dry vehicle bodies after washing and to neutralise static charge before finishing.
Drink manufacturers opt for Airknife system
Major drink manufacturers and canning, bottling and packaging contractors use Airknife systemsto dry bottles and cans on the line and to eliminate moisture from packaging
Added to these factors are the high running costs of continuously operating compressors.
In contrast, blower driven 'Airknife' systems, such as offered by Air Control Industries of Chard, offer a clean and cost effective means of achieving optimised drying of manufactured components, bottling/packaging lines, paint finish surfaces and textiles.
They are also effective for cleaning, cooling and spreading of such materials as oil, wax, chocolate and batter.
They are even suitable for large components and high volume handling applications.
The potential cost savings that Airknife systems can offer over conventional compressed air options can be really significant.
For example, a compressed air installation employing sixteen 48mm nozzles used in an array covering 200mm supplied at a pressure of 5bar will deliver 11,000 litrs/min.
This would cost GBP 3.30/hour if the average UK compressed air tariff of GBP 0.005/1000ltrs is applied.
So over a 48 week year (8 hour, 5 day week) the cost would be GBP 6,336.
By comparison, four 200mm long Airknives, providing an unbroken jet of air, powered by a 7.5kW powered blower would cost around GBP 3,200 less a year to run (UK electrical tariff of GBP 0.04kW/hr).
Because based upon this tariff, one 7.5kW fan costs GBP 0.30/hr resulting in a weekly cost of GBP 12/week - annual total just GBP 575.
One company, Supergalss Insulation of Stirling, Scotland reports a recurring annual saving of GBP 128,000 following an investment of GBP 32,000.
Whilst the DECOMA Sybex company at Banbury (manufacturer of moulded bumper systems to leading car manufacturers) says that improved drying and de-ionisation processes fulfilled by Airknife systems from Air Control Industries has resulted in scrap through moisture related contamination being eradicated. Request a free brochure from Air Control Industries ...
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