Which Air Knife is Best for Your Application?
Which Air Knife is Best for Your Application?
EXAIR manufactures the Super Air Knife, Standard Air Knife and Full-Flow Air Knife. Below is a quick comparison of the three styles.
The Super Air Knife provides the best performance with a 40:1 air amplification ratio, making it the most efficient. It is the best choice for all applications. The Super Air Knife has a laminar airstream that is uniform, forceful and quiet. Velocity is the highest and air consumption is the lowest of all three styles of EXAIR Air Knives. Compressed air inlets are provided on each end and on the bottom. Multiple Super Air Knives can be mounted “end to end” for longer lengths of uninterrupted airflow.
- Best choice for all applications
- Lowest operating cost
- Highest efficiency (saves most air)
- Quietest
- 40:1 air amplification ratio
- Compressed air inlets on each end and the bottom
- Airflow length and overall length are the same
The Standard Air Knife provides good performance with a 30:1 air amplification ratio that is less efficient than the Super Air Knife. It is a good choice when a less expensive alternative is required. The Standard Air Knife has an airflow that is also uniform and forceful. It is louder and uses more compressed air than the Super Air Knife. Compressed air inlets are provided on each end. Overall length is 1” (25mm) longer than the airflow length.
- Good choice, lower purchase price
- Highest operating cost of the three
- Good velocity
- Higher dBA rating
- 30:1 air amplification ratio
- Compressed air inlets on each end
- Overall length is 1” (25mm) longer than the airflow length
The Full-Flow Air Knife provides good performance with a 30:1 air amplification ratio. It is a good choice for tight spaces. Force is less than the other two styles. Air consumption and sound level falls between that of the Super Air Knife and the Standard Air Knife. Compressed air inlets are provided on the rear. Inlets are available on each end at a small additional charge; however, they are not recommended for applications where uniform flow across the length is required.
- Good choice
- Higher operating cost than the Super Air Knife
- Smallest size
- 30:1 air amplification ratio
- Airflow length and overall length are the same
Features & Benefits Comparison of EXAIR 6″ (152mm) Air Knife Lengths
| 6″ (152mm) Super Air Knife | 6″ (152mm) Standard Air Knife | 6″ (152mm) Full-Flow Air Knife | ||||
| Aluminium | Type 303 Stainless Steel | Aluminium | Type 303 Stainless Steel | Aluminium | Type 303 Stainless Steel | |
| Length of air knife | 6″ (152mm) | 7″ (178mm) | 6″ (152mm) | |||
| Length of airflow | 6″ (152mm) | 6″ (152mm) | 6″ (152mm) | |||
| Profile dimensions H x W | 37 x 45mm | 26 x 37mm | 31 x 35mm | 37 x 32mm | 26 x 25mm | 25 x 32mm |
| Compressed air inlets | Each end and bottom | Each end only | Rear only | |||
| Coupling possible | Yes | No | No | |||
| Available materials of construction | Aluminium
Type 303 Stainless Steel Type 316 Stainless Steel PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) |
Aluminium
Type 303 Stainless Steel
|
Aluminium
Type 303 Stainless Steel
|
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| Sound level at 3′ (914mm) | 69 dBA | 83 dBA | 80 dBA | |||
| Air consumption with .002″ thick shim installed | 17.4 SCFM | 20.4 SCFM | 18.6 SCFM | |||
| Air amplification ratio | 40:1 | 30:1 | 30:1 | |||
| Velocity at 6″ (152mm) from target | 59.9 m/s | 55.9 m/s | 50.8 m/s | |||
| Force per inch (25mm) at 6″ (152mm) from target | 71 grams | 77 grams | 65 grams | |||
| Compressed air costs per annum (assume $0.25 per 1000 SCF) |
17.4 SCFM x 60 x 0.25/1000
= $0.261 per hour = $10.44 per 40-hour week = $542.88 per year |
20.4 SCFM x 60 x 0.25/1000
= $0.306 per hour = $12.24 per 40-hour week = $636.48 per year |
18.6 SCFM x 60 x 0.25/1000
= $0.279 per hour = $11.16 per 40-hour week = $580.32 per year |
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All measurements taken at 80 PSIG (5.5 BAR)
