COVER STORY
well suited to this. Each tackles ESA in its own way, and each can be used on its own. Blowfl ex Easy is an in-line ionising air nozzle that neutralises and cleans in one step. A high- velocity stream of ionised compressed air blows loose particles off the surface while neutralising the charge, so the particles are not pulled straight back. It runs on 24 V DC with all high-voltage parts built in the housing, has an IP66 housing for environments that are cleaned frequently, and comes in a range of output confi gurations, including versions for inside cleaning. ThunderION IQ 2.0 is our most powerful ionising bar. Its disc-shaped emitters deliver a very high ion output for neutralising large static charges at a working distance of 300 to 1,000 mm, without needing air to carry the ions. The emitters are shockproof when touched, and end brackets, side plates and emitters can be removed for fast, thorough cleaning. Performax IQ Easy is a rugged ionising bar with
a fi breglass-reinforced housing and an integrated high-voltage power supply running on 24 V DC. It works at 100 to 500 mm, shows its status through LED indicators and has an IP66 rating for easy cleaning. Connected to the Manager IQ Easy, it adds effi ciency and cleaning indication plus data logging.
The result: less scrap and rework, a better fi rst- pass yield and a more consistent process.
FITTING IONISATION INTO A LAMINAR FLOW HOOD
There is no single best ionisation technology for every application. The right choice depends on the airfl ow at the workstation (laminar, turbulent or none), the distance to the product, power supply, safety and maintenance. Inside a hood, four points deserve extra attention: • Mind the metal. Grounded metal parts near an ionising bar attract ions, so fewer of them reach the product. Mounting position and distance matter, especially in a hood with metal surfaces
• Keep it safe for operators. Ionisation equipment must be properly earthed. 24 V DC bars with an integrated high-voltage supply need no high-voltage cables and are shock-free when touched, which matters when hands work close to the bar
• Keep the ioniser clean. An ioniser in a clean zone must stay clean itself. Choose one that is easy to wipe down or take apart. If it uses compressed air, like the Blowfl ex Easy, use only clean, oil-free air
• Check that it works. Measure the charge on the product before and after ionisation with a fi eldmeter, and use a high-voltage tester such as the Simco-Ion TensION to check for high voltage on the emitters
THE DIFFERENCE IS VISIBLE After 30 minutes of exposure during manufacturing, a catheter without static control shows clear particle contamination. With static control, the surface stays clean. Back to the catheter example: with static control in place, our example calculation shows a 40 per cent reduction in rework and scrap rates, 80 production hours recovered and room for 320,000 additional units. At €3.50 per unit, that
is roughly €1.1 million in additional production potential. It shows how much is at stake when a hidden cause is fi nally addressed.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR LINE With more than 60 years in static control and over 10,000 solutions a year, we know where to look and what to ask. If you recognise these symptoms, we are glad
to help. As worldwide leaders in static control, we bring that expertise close to you through our network of local agents and distributors. In Ireland, our partner is Michael Murphy from PSI (Pneumatic & Sensors Ireland). We visit your workplace, establish whether static is part of the picture and tailor a solution to your process.
Contact us:
cs@simco-ion.nl, +31 (0)573 288 333
www.irish-manufacturing.com
Irish Manufacturing September/October 202611
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