Types of Air knife and Its Practical Applications
Air knife is a common tool used in the industrial sector due to its functionality in various processes such as drying, cooling and cleaning in the manufacturing industry, recursive recycling process and packaging operations. Due to the simplicity, yet potency of this tool, air knives have been an essential part of the industrial sector.
Due to the many applications which air knives can be utilized, the mechanical device comes in varied shapes, sizes, materials and power sources. One interesting fact about operations of air knives is the power source. Air knives can either be powered with compressors or blowers.
Compressor-powered air knives
Air knives or air blades powered by compressed air blow off come in different ranges as well. The nozzles can be made of home-made circular pipes to engineered high power design. In using compressed air for air knives, operators utilize the Coanda effect to create the highest efficiency. Air blades which take advantage of this effect entrain ambient air into swift air stream to create enhanced blow off effect. For compressed-powered air knife, the piping size is ¼ inch (6.4 mm) in diameter at minimum, which makes the tool ideal for small areas.
Blower-powered Air Knives
Another type of air knives in terms of power source is the blower-powered air blade. This type was widely adopted in 1990's which was also known for its "teardrop" shape. The typical size for this kind measures roughly 3.5 inches (89 mm) in width and 5.5 inches (140 mm) in height. Depending on the velocity of the product, blower-powered air knives can create efficient blow off execution of 0.5-12 inches (13-300 mm) distance from the product surface. Moreover, those with nozzles measuring 1-4 inches (25-100 mm) in diameter can perform on surfaces up to 1 to 2 meters away. Many manufacturers favor this design due to its quality of saving electricity cost.
Air Knife Applications
Whatever the design may be, air knives are constantly useful in the industrial business due to their ability to compress air and use this for a variety of applications. The mechanical device form pressurized air into a thin curtain which is more efficient for drying, cleaning, and cooling any surfaces compared to conventional compressed gas blow off practices.
Among the processes which require the functionality of air knives are: drying of products after washing, cleaning of various machine parts, removing off excess particles on milling operations and cooling of items after extrusion.
Due to the many applications which air knives can be utilized, the mechanical device comes in varied shapes, sizes, materials and power sources. One interesting fact about operations of air knives is the power source. Air knives can either be powered with compressors or blowers.
Compressor-powered air knives
Air knives or air blades powered by compressed air blow off come in different ranges as well. The nozzles can be made of home-made circular pipes to engineered high power design. In using compressed air for air knives, operators utilize the Coanda effect to create the highest efficiency. Air blades which take advantage of this effect entrain ambient air into swift air stream to create enhanced blow off effect. For compressed-powered air knife, the piping size is ¼ inch (6.4 mm) in diameter at minimum, which makes the tool ideal for small areas.
Blower-powered Air Knives
Another type of air knives in terms of power source is the blower-powered air blade. This type was widely adopted in 1990's which was also known for its "teardrop" shape. The typical size for this kind measures roughly 3.5 inches (89 mm) in width and 5.5 inches (140 mm) in height. Depending on the velocity of the product, blower-powered air knives can create efficient blow off execution of 0.5-12 inches (13-300 mm) distance from the product surface. Moreover, those with nozzles measuring 1-4 inches (25-100 mm) in diameter can perform on surfaces up to 1 to 2 meters away. Many manufacturers favor this design due to its quality of saving electricity cost.
Air Knife Applications
Whatever the design may be, air knives are constantly useful in the industrial business due to their ability to compress air and use this for a variety of applications. The mechanical device form pressurized air into a thin curtain which is more efficient for drying, cleaning, and cooling any surfaces compared to conventional compressed gas blow off practices.
Among the processes which require the functionality of air knives are: drying of products after washing, cleaning of various machine parts, removing off excess particles on milling operations and cooling of items after extrusion.
