ETEST ions out static
May 2007
Pneumatics & Hydraulics
Materials such as paper, plastic or textiles normally contain an equal amount of positive and negative charge - that is, they are electrically balanced. Friction can cause static build-up.
Problems caused by electrostatic forces include:
* Dust clinging to the product.
* Product clinging to itself, rollers, machine beds or frames.
* Material tearing, jamming or curling.
* Sheet feeding problems.
* Hazardous sparks or shocks.
Conductors (like metals) discharge completely when grounded but insulators (like plastics) cannot discharge when grounded. Grounded brushes or tinsel are often ineffective in removing static from these surfaces.
Static eliminators (ionisers) eliminate the charge by producing a bulk of positive and negative ions. Nearby charged surfaces attract the appropriate number of positive or negative ions to become neutral (discharged).
Exair offers static elimination solutions for moving webs, sheet stock, three dimensional parts, extrusions or packaging. Solutions often include engineered airflow products to eliminate the charge quickly and at great distances. Laminar flow airstreams make it possible to blow away contaminants as well as the charge that attracts them. Tests show that ionisers positioned 610 mm away from a charged surface to be as effective as an ionising bar without air delivery positioned 13 mm from the surface.
In some applications air cannot be used as even the smallest airflow can disturb the product. This is especially true for lightweight materials. For such critical applications ionising bars or ionising points (see picture) are employed. The compact size of the latter makes them ideal for winding or slitting operations.
Ionising point in slitting application
For more information contact Rodney Bradley, ETEST, +27 (0)31 702 8302, [email protected], www.etest.co.za
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