The Most Important Component in an Air Knife Drying System:
Experience
For more than 20 years, Paxton has pioneered the development of
Air Knives and high-flow Centrifugal Blowers. As an air flow
systems expert, we have refined today's Air Knife designs
for "precision-drying", coating control, removing dust and
unwanted materials, as well as air curtains and many more
applications.
Each of our Air Knives is powered by a perfectly matched, high-velocity
Paxton centrifugal blower, and can deliver air at velocities
from 10,000 - 40,000 FPM. Proper designing and specifying
of the centrifugal blower to the Air Knife is critical to
the system's performance and service life.
Paxton has total systems expertise from its years of experience building
the industry's leading centrifugal blowers and Air Knife systems.
We have designed Air Knives for virtually every type of application.
Air Knives used for drying, cleaning or material removal accomplish their
work in a two-stage process: First, a high velocity air stream
is directed to roll the liquid or material back, creating a
standing wave at the point of shear and leaving a thin, residual
layer.
Second, as the "point of impact" of the impinging air flow passes
over the residual layer, this layer (if liquid) is shattered
or atomized to form minute liquid droplets which are carried
away by the air stream to leave a clean, dry surface. Non-liquids
are also blown away and removed in this second phase.
Paxton Air Knives may utilize temperature or controllable air
pressure to provide further evaporation, materials-setting,
cooling, heating, curing or coating control ability. Each system
is designed taking into consideration the exact material characteristics
and processing requirements of the products involved.
Paxton Air Knives are FDA compliant, and feature exclusive designs
in anodized, extruded aluminum, or rugged stainless steel
Our Air Knife systems are designed and custom built to your expectations
Paxton's technical design team is second to none. We will expertly design the optimum
system for your needs, and will provide a quotation for a complete
Air Knife system with Paxton blowers, ready for installation.
Following are some of the key factors we consider
in the design of your Air Knife system:
- The Air Knife system's objective(s).
- Direction of material flow and posture of the material: Horizontal / Vertical
/ Inclined
- Product temperature.
- Speed of the line.
- Arrangement of product or material on conveyor, i.e., single file, rows, etc.
- Dimensions of product(s) involved.
- Description of surfaces, including cavities and difficult areas.
- Conveyor dimensions.
- Temperature limitations, and heat sensitivity of materials.
- Drying requirement, and whether product is to be treated (dry, stripped, cleaned).
- Types of fluids involved (wash, rinse, treatments,
coatings, acids, plating or printing).
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Air Knife Benefits
How is an Air Knife System Used?
Through precision-engineered air-jets,
Paxton Air Knife Systems direct
and utilize high velocity air from a
centrifugal blower to accomplish
the following:
- Drying / removing liquid films from surfaces
- Controlling the coating of surfaces
- Blowing off / removing dust and debris
- Impregnation of surfaces
- Conveying, holding down or cushioning materials with air
- Cooling or heating of materials
- Providing an air curtain or barrier
- Separating different weights or sizes
- Conveyor line speeds to more than 2,000 feet per minute are easily
accommodated.
Paxton Air Knives -
Proven Cost Effective
- A Paxton Air Knife will generate cost savings, speed up operations
and/or provide other improvements in the manufacturing process.
In many cases, assembly and conveyor line speeds have been
increased by as much as 50% due to the efficiency of a Paxton
Air Knife.
- Investment paybacks are often achieved in just a few months, sometimes
in a matter of weeks, providing a superior return-on-investment.
- Products are dried or cleaned quickly. Paxton Air Knives are also
perfect for conveyor belt cleaning and particle blow-off
applications on conveyor lines up to 100 inches wide.
Click on your Industry or
Application Below
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