AIRKNIFE SYSTEMS
ACI's Airknife Systems are blower-driven solutions that will increase production eficiencies and save significant running costs.
Powered by an ACI centrifugal blower unit, ACI AIrknife Systems are low pressure, high volume production tools that are designed specifically to remove / blow-off all surface liquids and moisture. In addition their ease of installation and low energy consumption make them an efficient, cost effective solution providing signifiant saings over more common thermal and compressed air systems.
When compared to compressed air systems Airknives are:
- More cost effective to operate - runnig costs can be reduced by upto 90%.
- Quieter - due to lower pressure operation, the expansion ratio and turbulence of the air produced is reduced.
- Cleaner - the air from the blower is both dry and oil free. No expensive additional filtration is required.
- Safer - ACI centrifugal blowers operate on the principle of high velocity, low pressure air which presents no danger to operators.
Airknife Applications
Considered to be the fourth utility and ideal for many factory applications, compressed air is at its most ineffective and costly when used with open pipe or wind jet nozzles.
The following section demonstrates the wide variety of applications where compressed air has been replaced by blower-driven airknife systems.
1. Filling Industries - bottling & canning processes
For eliminating problems associated with unwanted surface moisture, ACI's DRI-Line Series of drying systems are a tried and tested drying solution for production lines ranging from 100 to 50,000 bottles or cans per hour. This is a proven range of drying solutions and is well established amongst many leading OEM's as well as hundreds of End-Users around the World.
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Drying System Options
Customer's products and applications will naturally vary in size and complexity enormously. Because of this ACI has developed a number of air delivery options and accessories that have been specifically designed to give effective and reliable results.
Airknives (Anodised Aluminium / Stainless Steel)
- Tailoured to customer specific requirements
- Available in aluminium alloy anodised AA25 (with Stainless Steel 304 fittings) or in Stainless Steel 304/316.
- Available in two diameters – 50mm (AK05) and 76mm (AK08)
- Adjustable slot width
- Available in lengths of 10mm increments with a maximum of up to 4.5 metres
- Stainless Steel options are available in a wide variety of shapes including chevrons, squares and multiple angles
- Various mounting options available; with longer and/or multiple inlets if necessary
Airknives - Anodised Aluminium Datasheet: 
Airknives - Stainless Steel Datasheet: 
View Video Clip:
Reciprocating Nozzles
- Simple to install and operate, ACI's reciprocating nozzle systems are ieally suited for removing water and debris from larger conveyorised products that may require a more vigorous airflow action for satisfactory results.
- The 'back and forth' movement of the flexible nozzles has the effect of throwing the air vigrously towards product.
- This 'recriprocating' action combined with the high volume, low pressure air culminates in an airflow that effectively dislodges moisture and debris from awkward areas, including blind holes.
- ACI's reciprocator nozzles are fabricated from a rrobust but flexible and hardwearing material. This has the added benefit of removing any risk of damaging conveyed product when passing through the drying system.
- ACI can supply fully ducted systems in either galvanised mild steel or stainless steel.
- Applications that have benefitted from ACI Reciprocating Systems include surface preparation of intricate and large engineered components , automotive bumpers and car bodies, basked and crate drying.
Static Neutralisation Bars
- ACI can supply Airknife Systems fitted with static neutralisation bars . These have the effect of producing a high velocity, precisely controlled bladed of ionised air which can then be utilised in an assortment of surface cleaning and static neutralisation applications.
- With an airspeed of up to 110m/second these system produce a high performance, thorough removal of statically attracted contaminants.
- The running cost is typically 80% less than a similar compressed air system.
- Ionisation is provided by fixing a Static Eliminator Bar across the leading edge of the airknife
- A complete range of accessories is available: Filters, pipework, fittings, flow valves, silencers, acoustic enclosures
