In manufacturing, static electricity can lead to issues like dust attraction, product defects, and even safety hazards. To address these problems, devices such as anti-static bars, ionising blowers and air knives can be used to neutralise static charges.
But what’s the difference between an ionising bar, an air knife and an ionising gun? Knowing how each one works and when to use them makes a big difference when it comes to managing static effectively in your processes.
Ionising Bars: for targeted static neutralisation
An ionising bar, also known as anti-static bar, is a linear device equipped with multiple ion emission points along its length.
When installed near a surface, it emits positive and negative ions that neutralise static charges. This makes ionising bars particularly effective for applications where materials pass close to the bar, such as on conveyor belts or within printing presses.
Example: In the printing industry, ionising bars are installed above or below moving sheets of paper to prevent static buildup that could cause sheets to stick together or attract unwanted particles. By neutralising the static charge, ionising bars help prevent production issues and delays, and keep print quality consistent.
Air Knives: static elimination with added cleaning
An air knife produces a high-velocity, laminar flow of air across a surface. When combined with an ionising bar, the air knife not only neutralises static charges but also blows dust and debris off the material’s surface. This combination is beneficial in scenarios where both static elimination and surface cleaning are required.
Example: In the automotive industry, ionising air knife systems are often used to neutralise static and remove dust and contaminants from car bodies, ensuring the surface is clean and ready for painting and helping to achieve a flawless paint finish.
Ionising Air Guns: precision cleaning and static control
Ionising air guns are handheld devices that combine a focused stream of ions with compressed air to neutralise static charges and remove unwanted particles from surfaces. They are particularly useful in environments where precision cleaning is required, such as in electronics assembly or medical device manufacturing.
Example: In the electronics industry, delicate components can attract dust due to static charges, leading to potential defects. An ionising air gun allows operators to direct a focused stream of ionised air onto specific areas, effectively neutralising static and removing contaminants without damaging sensitive parts.
Ionising Air Blowers: wide-area static elimination
Ionising blowers generate a continuous flow of ionised air that can cover broad areas and can be positioned as needed. This makes them a flexible solution for areas where static issues shift from one location to another or where the production setup changes frequently.
Example: In the textiles industry, static electricity can cause fibres to cling together, leading to production difficulties. An ionising air blower can be positioned to direct ionised air over the fabric, neutralising static charges and allowing for smoother handling of materials.
Comparing Solutions
When considering which is the appropriate static elimination tool for your process, take into account the following factors:
- Coverage area: Ionising bars and air knives are ideal for targeted applications where materials pass closely to the device. Air guns offer precision for specific spots, while blowers are suited for broader areas.
- Mobility: Air guns are hand-held so they provide flexibility and mobility for operators to address static issues on various parts of a product or assembly line. On the other hand, bars, knives, and blowers are typically static solutions.
- Contamination removal: Air knives and air guns combine static neutralisation with the physical removal of dust and particles, making them a practical choice when both static control and surface cleaning are required.
- Installation constraints: Ionising bars and air knives require installation along the production line, which may not be feasible in all setups. Air guns offer a handheld solution without the need for permanent installation, while blowers can be positioned as needed and can therefore be a flexible solution.
At eStat Solutions, we offer a comprehensive range of static elimination products tailored to various industrial needs. Our selection includes ionising air guns, blowers, anti-static bars, air knives, air nozzles and more… each designed to address specific static control challenges.
Understanding how and where static electricity is affecting your process is key to finding the right solution. If you’re unsure where the issues are coming from or how best to deal with them, we offer a free site survey to help. One of our engineers can visit your premises, assess the situation with you, and recommend the most suitable solution for your set-up. Get in touch to arrange a visit.