Not all static elimination systems are equal and key features must be noted to avoid utilizing an under performing product.
The 4 most important things to watch for in a static application are the following:
1. The level of the static charge on the material
2. Speed of movement of the material
3. Power level of the power supply used to operate the static bar
4. Design and strength of the static bars
If the level of static charge is very high, a stronger static bar may be required to remove the charge. Some manufacturers offer a bogus claim that adding compressed air to “push” the ions from a static bar to the target can address high static charge and remove static quickly. What an air boost does is push the ions of the static bar if it is far from the target, to the target and will remove the static charge at a distance at a higher rate. However, the ion strength will actually be diluted due to ion recombination so when the ions hit the target, it will not be as strong as if the bar was close to the target. An air boost does remove static from a target if the bar is far away but it takes more time than if the bar is close. So often a highly charged surface, especially if the surface is moving quickly, requires a stronger static bar due to the shorter dwell time in the ion field hitting the surface.
Nex Flow offers two ranges of static bars – a standard version and an extra strength version. For fast moving webs or highly charged surfaces the stronger static bar is used. We have had to replace other air knife systems with the superior Nex Flow tm system with the extra strong static bar simply because of the high static charge being addressed or because of the speed of the target. Competitive systems just did not work and left a high residual charge. The extra concentration of ions from the extra strength static bar was able to eliminate the static charge completely.
Another very important design feature often overlooked is the strength of the power supply. There are systems available with 5 KV or 6 KV power supplies. To produce “ions” at the static bar “pins” you need about 4 KV of energy. 5 KV and even 6 KV power supplies not only have to provide 4 KV at the static bar but also overcome resistance in the cable from the power supply to the bar. Also, over time power supply transformers will weaken. This may translate into lower quality performance and shorter life span for the static elimination system. Nex Flow tm uses 7 kv power supplies to provide top performance and proven long life of the entire static control package.
Static bars should be easy to clean with fully shielded cables and safe connections. The design used by Nex Flow uses strong “pins” that cannot be bent and are designed to last over a long period of time. Sharp, thin pins over time wear due to the “ionization” effect and become dull and deteriorate in performance. The design of the pins utilized by Nex Flow uses wear more evenly for a long lasting bar to offer years of top performance as well as being difficult to damage when cleaning. Fully shielded cable prevents stray currents that can also reduce the life span of a static control system. A very important feature is a patented connector which does not make electrical contact until fully connected to prevent shocks when connecting or disconnecting a static bar to the power supply if it is inadvertently left running. Many bayonet type of connectors used by competitive products can become brittle over time and by their vey design can easily break.
The static elimination systems offered by Nex Flow are well designed, with adequate power to provide quality and consistent performance with long life. So confident are we in the systems that we offer a two year warranty on the power supplies! One last comment! A very key feature and benefit of the power supplies is something it seems no one else can offer … they are repairable!!!
This is why Nex Flow leads and is often the first choice for static control!
