AIR KNIFE: ADVANCED
- Information
- Specifications
- FAQs
- How It Works
- Applications
- Dimensions
- Accessories
- Installation & Maintenance
- Streamtek index page
What is an Air Knife System?
Air Knife Systems utilize compressed air for industrial applications. The curtain like airflow of the Air Knife is the most efficient way to dry, clean, removing excess oils and liquids, dust, and cool. The Air Knife is used for Printing and labeling, part or component cooling, Converting and Packaging, Films and Laminating, Form and Fill, Sheet and Web Materials, Bag opening/fill operations, Conveying or hold down, Food Processing, Paint preparation and drying.
Advanced Air Knife Comparison |
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Temperature Rating |
Corrosion Rating |
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Aluminum Regular Air Knife |
275ºF (135ºC) |
Good |
Stainless Steel (Type 303) Regular Air Knife |
400ºF (204ºC) |
Excellent |
*Stainless Steel (Type 316) Regular Air Knife |
800ºF (427ºC) |
Excellent |
| *Available upon special request | ||
Regular Air Knife or Advanced Air Knife?
| The Regular Air Knife provides good performance with a 30:1 air amplification ratio that is less efficient that the Advanced Air Knife. Air consumption is ~3.4 SCFM per inch at 80 PSIG. The Regular Air Knife is a good choice when a less expensive alternative is required. As you can see, it is louder and uses more compressed air than the Advanced Air Knife. |   |
| The Advanced Air Knife provides the best performance with a 40:1 air amplification ratio, make it the most efficient. Air consumption is ~2.9 SCFM per inch at 80 PSIG. The Advanced Air Knife is normally the best choice due to very low noise level and uses less air than the Regular Air Knife at same pressure. | |
| Aluminum Unit Only: Includes only the unit itself, no accessories. | ||
Length
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Model No.
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Material |
3" |
Aluminum |
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6" |
Aluminum
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9" |
Aluminum
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12" |
Aluminum
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18" |
Aluminum
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24" |
Aluminum
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30" |
Aluminum
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36" |
Aluminum
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42" |
Aluminum
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48" |
Aluminum
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54" |
787.AE54SPA | Aluminum
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| Aluminum Standard Kit: Includes Aluminum Advanced Air Knife, and NPT Auto Drain Filter. | ||
Length
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Model No.
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Material |
3" |
Aluminum |
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6" |
Aluminum
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9" |
Aluminum
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12" |
Aluminum
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18" |
Aluminum
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24" |
Aluminum
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30" |
Aluminum
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36" |
Aluminum
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42" |
Aluminum
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48" |
Aluminum
|
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54" |
787.AE54SPA-1 | Aluminum
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| Aluminum Deluxe Kit: Includes Aluminum Advanced Air Knife, NPT Auto Drain Filter, and Pressure Regulator /w Gauge. | ||
Length
|
Model No.
|
Material |
3" |
Aluminum |
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6" |
Aluminum
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9" |
Aluminum
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12" |
Aluminum
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18" |
Aluminum
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24" |
Aluminum
|
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30" |
Aluminum
|
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36" |
Aluminum
|
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42" |
Aluminum
|
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48" |
Aluminum
|
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54" |
787.AE54SPA-2 | Aluminum
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| Stainless Steel Unit Kit: Includes only the unit itself, no accessories. | ||
Length
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Model No.
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Material |
3" |
Stainless |
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6" |
Stainless
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9" |
Stainless
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12" |
Stainless
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18" |
Stainless
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24" |
Stainless
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30" |
Stainless
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|
36" |
Stainless
|
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42" |
Stainless
|
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48" |
Stainless
|
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54" |
Stainless
|
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| Stainless Steel Standard Kit: Includes Stainless Steel (Type 303) Advanced Air Knife, and NPT Auto Drain Filter. | ||
Length
|
Model No.
|
Material |
3" |
Stainless |
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6" |
Stainless
|
|
9" |
Stainless
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12" |
Stainless
|
|
18" |
Stainless
|
|
24" |
Stainless
|
|
30" |
Stainless
|
|
36" |
Stainless
|
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42" |
Stainless
|
|
48" |
Stainless
|
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54" |
Stainless
|
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| Stainless Steel Deluxe Kit: Include Stainless (Type 303) Advanced Air Knife, NPT Auto Drain Filter, and Pressure Regulator /w Gauge. | ||
Length
|
Model No.
|
Material |
3" |
Stainless |
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6" |
Stainless
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9" |
Stainless
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12" |
Stainless
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18" |
Stainless
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24" |
Stainless
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30" |
Stainless
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36" |
Stainless
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42" |
Stainless
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48" |
Stainless
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54" |
Stainless
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| Air Consumption*: Advanced Air Knife * Based on Amplification Ratio 40:1. The Air flow out would be 40x the below |
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Air Consumption per inch. With .002" (0.5mm) Shim |
Air Consumption per inch. With .004" (0.10mm) - Shim Added |
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PRESSURE SUPPLY |
SCFM |
SLPM |
SCFM |
SLPM |
20 PSIG (1.4 Bar) |
1.3 |
36.7 |
2.5 |
70.8 |
40 PSIG (2.8 Bar) |
1.7 |
48.1 |
3.4 |
96.2 |
60 PSIG (4.1 Bar) |
2.1 |
59.4 |
4.7 |
133.0 |
80 PSIG (5.5 Bar) |
2.9 |
82.1 |
5.7 |
161.3 |
100 PSIG (6.4 Bar) |
3.3 |
93.4 |
6.7 |
189.6 |
120 PSIG (8.4 Bar) |
4.0 |
113.2 |
7.8 |
220.7 |
Advanced Air Knife - Air Flow Pattern
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| Drilled Pipe Air Consumption: Chart *Compressed Air Flow Trough A Hole in Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute (SCFM) |
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1/16" (1.59mm) Diamater Hole |
3/32" (2.38mm) Diamater Hole |
1/8" (3.18mm) Diamater Hole |
3/16" (4.76mm) Diamater Hole |
1/4" (6.35mm) Diamater Hole |
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PRESSURE SUPPLY |
SCFM |
SLPM |
SCFM |
SLPM |
SCFM |
>SLPM |
>SCFM |
SLPM |
>SCFM |
SLPM |
20 PSIG (1.4 Bar) |
1.5 |
42.4 |
3.4 |
96.2 |
6.3 |
178.3 |
14.7 |
416.0 |
26.0 |
735.8 |
40 PSIG (2.8 Bar) |
2.1 |
65.0 |
5.5 |
155.7 |
10.1 |
285.8 |
23.0 |
650.9 |
40.0 |
1132.0 |
60 PSIG (4.1 Bar) |
3.1 |
87.7 |
7.5 |
212.3 |
14.2 |
401.9 |
31.0 |
877.3 |
54.0 |
1528.2 |
80 PSIG (5.5 Bar) |
3.9 |
110.4 |
9.4 |
266.0 |
17.5 |
495.3 |
40.0 |
1132 |
70.0 |
1981.0 |
100 PSIG (6.4 Bar) |
4.6 |
130.2 |
11.7 |
331.1 |
21.7 |
614.1 |
47.5 |
1344.3 |
83.0 |
2348.9 |
120 PSIG (8.4 Bar) |
5.4 |
152.8 |
13.9 |
393.4 |
25.9 |
733.0 |
56.3 |
1593.3 |
96.0 |
2716.8 |
| Drilled pipe is realativey inexpensive and easy to produce. As showen in the test above, the drilled pipe perfoms poorly. Due to its high compressed air use, the initial cost of the drilled pipe is quickly over taken. In addition, OSHA requirments are violated as the noise levels are excessive and holes can easily become blocked. Due to the nature of drilled pipe, air flow across the entire length is not uniform; resulting in many dead spots and spikes of air." |
1. Will the Air Knife operate with a blower?
No. The Air Knife is designed to use only compressed air. Blowers are very noisy, large, and expensive with 3" to 6" connections. They simply will not produce enough force to operate our Air Knife. 2. Can I cut the Air Knife to a custom length?
No. The Air Knife is precision machined, cutting it would expose the internal design with no way to reseal the air knife. With that said, custom sizes can be machined upon special request.3. Can I connect the cold end of a Vortex Tube to a Air Knife?
No. This would cause an airflow restriction which would instantly produce back-pressure in excess of 5 PSIG! When this back-pressure is exceeded, performance of the Vortex Tube will be negatively impacted. The hot end of the Vortex Tube on the other hand can withstand a pressure up to 30 PSIG (depending on the cold fraction). 4. What is the recommended pressure that should be used with the Air Knife?
Always try to use the lowest pressure that is possible for your application. Always use a pressure regulator to increase force/airflow to the point where your application problem is rectified. The maximum pressure of the Air Knife is 250 PSIG.5. How do I mount the Air Knife?
Rigid compressed air pipe is the best way to mount the Regular Air Knife. If this is not possible, there are multiple 1/4-20 mounting holes located on the back of the Air Knife.6. Can you make Regular Air Knives over 54" or other lengths you do not stock?
Yes. We have the capabilities to manufacture up to 109" long Air Knives. In addition, any length air knife can be machined upon special request. Lead time for custom orders is typically 2-3 weeks. 7. What temperatures can your Air Knives withstand?
Aluminum Air Knife: 275ºF (135ºC)Stainless Steel (Type 303) Air Knife: 400ºF (204ºC)
Stainless Steel (Type 316) Air Knife: 800ºF (427ºC)
* Temperatures that exceed 800ºF (427ºC) could produce intergranular corrosion which could eventually plug the air gap opening
| Note: Animation may take up to 10 seconds to load. |
| Industrial Blow off: |
| • Clean circuit board holes, Flat Sheet Rubber and Plastic; Moulds. |
| • Blow off liquid, chemicals, dirt, chips, and/or water prior to labelling or packaging. |
| • Remove water, coolant, dust, and scrap in parts manufacturing and assembly operations. |
| • Paper dust removal and control. |
| Drying Systems: |
| • Bottles and Cans, Castings, Sheet Metal, and Dip Tank Solution Stripping. |
| • Extrusions, Wire, Produce, Wood Preservative, Drive-Thru Car Wash, Paint, Coatings, and Cloth. |
| Systems for Cooling: |
| • Extrusion Cooling, Food Processing, and Dimensional Stability Control. |
| • Cool metal parts prior to coating and/or painting. |
| • Replace general manufacturing fans |
| • Cooling to set some inks |
ADVANTAGES |
| • Quiet (69 dBA for most applications) |
| • Minimal air consumption (40:1 Air Amplification) |
| • Variable force and flow |
| • No moving parts - maintenance free |
| • Easy mounting - compressed air inlets on each end and bottom |
| • Compact, rugged, easy to install |
| • 316 stainless steel available on special order |
| • Special lengths available |
| • Unlimited system lengths of uninterrupted airflow available |
Air Knife Accessories
| Advanced Air Knife: Shims | ||
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| 787.AE54SP-SHM |
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General Accessories
| Filter Separators: | ||
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| Pressure Regulators: | ||
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| Oil Removal Filters: | ||
Model No.
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Description |
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| Valves: | ||
Model No.
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Description |
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| Compressed Air Hose: | ||
Model No.
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