Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: Air Control Industries | Subject: Airknife systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 January 2005
Airknife systems improve drying and save
money
Effective drying, cleaning and cooling of conveyorised components/materials is difficult to achieve, but the use of air knives is solving the problem for many different industries.
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 5 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Air knife systems have many functions
Airknife systems are ideal for drying, cooling, curing, cleaning and even deionisation of web materials and can even be employed for spreading and distributing coatings for enrobing processes.
Airknife systems slash compressed air costs
Significant savings have been made through improvements in the use and management of compressed air and through the installation of dedicated low-pressure blower-based Aiknives.
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 companys 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
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
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.
Blower removes light materials from scrap flow
A novel way of removing light materials from waste and scrap is to use a blower providing a continuous curtain of air horizontally across a drop between upper and lower conveyors.
Added to these factors are the high running costs of continuously operating compressors.
In contrast, blower driven Aiirknife systems, such as offered by Air Control Industries of Chard, UK, 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 11,000litres/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 ? 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.
Superglass Insulation, Stirling, manufactures mineral wool insulation products for domestic, commercial and industrial use.
In return for receiving a rebate of GBP 80,000 of its Climate Change Levy payments, the company is required to meet challenging energy targets.
Working with the help of Action Energy and Energy Consultants the company implemented various measures to reduce compressed air consumption.
One of the main issues was the use of compressed air for removing surface water and as a result of changes made Superglass now benefits from annual savings of GBP 128,000.
"We previously used an air bar to remove surface water from a metal collection belt system," explained Steven Whyte, Project Electrical Engineer.
"On hearing about the benefits of Air Control Industries (ACI) Airknife system and free demonstration option, we decided to assess the Airknifes capabilities.
Working off a radial-bladed blower at a much lower pressure, the Airknife immediately provided an improved performance.
We have since replaced five compressed air systems with ACIs Airknives, resulting in significant on-going cost savings from a one-time investment of GBP 32,000. Request a free brochure from Air Control Industries ...
".
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