Static electricity is a huge potential problem that could impact otherwise safe pneumatic systems. Compressed air is often deployed as a power source in situations where you wouldn’t be able to work with any other source of energy.
That makes it all the more imperative that you eliminate potential problems to ensure the proper functioning of a pneumatic system. Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market that can help you manage static electricity. There are also a few things that you can do with your device’s layout to reduce the risk of major static discharges.
Reducing Static Energy In Your Pneumatic Workshop
If you’ve ever been given advice on how to control electrostatic discharge when working with sensitive components, then you already have a pretty good handle on the best way to reduce these hazards. Make sure that you don’t let sensitive components come into contact with items like loose shrinkwrap. They have a tendency to generate extra static.
You’ve probably seen how a piece of shrinkwrap can attract small objects, so it’s best to keep it away from anything sensitive. Grounding yourself before touching any object that could discharge static is always a good idea as well.
Granted, pneumatic equipment normally isn’t all that sensitive to static electricity. Nevertheless, you will want to protect your workpieces and any electrical devices attached to your compressed air circuits. Firms that work with semiconductors and other sensitive components will want to take some extra care.
Take the opportunity to clean up your area. Ensure that people aren’t scuffing across a piece of carpet before touching sensitive workpieces. Then you’ll be in a good position to install some devices that will help to further protect your investment.
Ionizers & Other Pneumatic Components Designed to Eliminate Static
Industrial ionizers are among the biggest tools for static elimination. These neutralize and control static that’s generated by plastic wrap, foam packing, or labels that cling to your workpieces. These devices are also perfect for those who have to deal with static as a result of air dryers. There are other pneumatic components that are designed to reduce moisture in an installation.
As the total level of humidity drops in a current of air, the level of static in it may rise. That makes ionizers a great device to pair with this kind of equipment.
Many materials used in the packaging can attract ions and dirt. This increases the risk of misapplication and contamination depending on the type of workpieces you’re processing. Consider the case of workshops engaged in printing, paint mixing, plastics manufacturing, and many other industries. Now think about the kinds of problems that any of these organizations would run into if they were to experience damage to any component or workpiece. Misapplication in any industry that mixes fluids is especially problematic. This little thought experiment makes the need for ionizers all the more dramatic.
Static charges can damage sensitive electronic components and may even hurt flat panel displays or medical devices. Semiconductors are among those most at risk. Worst of all, static shocks can potentially put operator comfort and safety at risk.
Once you’ve decided that your firm needs to install some sort of mitigation method for static, you’ll probably want to look at the different technologies involved.
Bar Ionizers
Perhaps the most popular of all the technologies in the pneumatics industry, bar ionizers neutralize static electricity by way of a special set of modules installed within a housing. These are easy to work with. Ionizers normally run in-line with other pieces of compressed air-driven equipment that you might have installed in a layout. That’s helped to ensure that they’ll remain popular no matter how the industry changes.
Nozzle Ionizers
A nozzle ionizer provides a more compact anti-static solution than a more traditional bar-type ionizer. You’ll want to consider these devices if you’re at risk for running out of header space in your layout. That should be welcome news for anyone who has to keep pneumatic equipment covered inside of relatively small area.
Fan Ionizers
Since fan ionizers don’t require a pneumatic air supply, they’re an attractive option for anyone who might be having trouble with pressure differentials in their circuits. These units draw in ambient air then ionize it with four electrodes. That means you won’t have to worry about them draining air from your actual compressor or reservoir itself.
Additional Equipment For Pneumatic Technicians
Are you concerned about the overall amount of static in their installations? Then you might want to consider investing in a series of sensors. There are a number of choices that can help those who want to detect the total amount of potential for an electrical discharge.
Another good idea is to invest in a desktop duster box, which is perfect for small and medium-sized components. If you’re working with things that are sensitive to static as well as static-induced dust adhesion, then a duster box is an ideal solution that can help to get rid of these issues.
Those who want to completely proof their equipment from the ground up might want to install antistatic fittings and tubing lengths to cut the risk of static by several orders of magnitude. These designs are made from conductive resin. The resin prevents static from passing through the material or making its way into the actual flow of air.
On top of this, technicians who are still having problems can use anti-static suction cups that are made from anti-static urethane or conductive NBR materials. These can provide around 109-1,011O of resistance against electrical potential. Depending on just how bad the static forces are in your current workspace, this should be a considerable drop in the remaining amount.
You can use many of these solutions alongside one another, which can drop the amount of static to near zero. Naturally, you’ll never be able to completely eliminate it. Static is simply a fact of life that’s caused by several forces related to the laws of psychics. Nevertheless, these measures can slash the amount of potential harm that these forces can ever cause.
Tackle Your Static Problem With SMC Pneumatics
SMC Pneumatics wants to reduce static electricity in your workplace. We believe that the right ionizers and setup can do the trick. Take a look at our static control equipment in stock.
Make sure to contact SMC Pneumatics online when you’re ready to learn more about the static elimination options available to your business. Our experienced team will help you solve your static-related issues. We can protect your workpieces from damage.