Aluminum - The aluminum Super Air Knife is suited to a wide variety of environments where corrosion or contamination is not a factor. The aircraft grade aluminum construction with plastic shim is very durable for general purpose applications. Stainless steel screws are used to eliminate corrosion in damp locations. It can withstand temperatures up to 180°F (82°C).

Type 303 Stainless Steel - This is the most common grade of stainless steel. It offers good strength and is best suited to mildly corrosive environments. It can withstand temperatures up to 800°F (427°C).

Type 316 Stainless Steel - Some applications require better corrosion resistance than offered by Type 303 stainless steel. Type 316 stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, better strength properties and resists pitting. These factors are important to manufacturers of food, pharmaceutical and surgical products that need to minimize contamination by the metal. It can withstand temperatures up to 800°F (427°C).

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Flouridine) - EXAIR’s Super Air Knife is also available from stock in PVDF. PVDF offers superior strength and is resistant to UV light, inorganic chemicals, solvents, ozone, weather, fungi, chlorinated hydrocarbons, highly corrosive acids, weak bases and salts. The PVDF Super Air Knife uses PTFE shims, Type 316 Stainless Steel pipe plugs, and Hastelloy® C-276 alloy screws to withstand harsh environments. The PVDF Super Air Knife is suitable for manufacturing processes that involve electroplating, solar cells, lithium ion batteries, transfer of acids and caustic chemicals, brine, solvent recovery, semiconductors and medical devices. It can withstand temperatures up to 275°F (135°C).

Force and $ow can be increased by installing additional shims that open the air gap.

EXAIR offers Super Air Knives in lengths from 24" (610mm) through 108" (2743mm) with Plumbing Kits that are shipped fully assembled. All components have been properly sized to obtain the best performance from the Super Air Knife.

Super Air Knives that are 24" or longer must be supplied with compressed air at multiple inlets on the knife. The Air Knife Plumbing Kits prevent you from searching for the right fittings or using undersized air supply lines. They provide properly sized compressed air hose or pipe, and fittings to interconnect the bottom or end compressed air inlets for best performance. Plumbing kits for aluminum Super Air Knives include a pressure gauge to monitor pressure at the Super Air Knife, which is an indication of proper air supply. They also include nitrile/PVC hose and brass fittings. Plumbing kits for stainless steel Super Air Knives include cut to length type 316 stainless steel pipe and fittings and will also work on PVDF Super Air Knives.

Some applications require a Super Air Knife that is longer than our 108" (2743mm) length. Coupling Bracket Kits that join two Super Air Knives together are available. The kit includes two rigid plates along with the assembly screws. The bottom plate is supplied with a hole to access the bottom compressed air inlets. All models include stainless steel screws.

EXAIR manufactures the Super Air Knife, Standard Air Knife and Full-Flow Air Knife.

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 of all three air knives. Air consumption is lowest of all three 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.

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.

The Full-Flow Air Knife provides good performance with a 30:1 air amplification ratio. The Full-Flow Air Knife is the least expensive and 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 inlet(s) 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.