Learning Center

Weather’s effect on Static

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:40:19 GMT

You’ve probably already seen the effects weather has on static, even if you don’t realize it yet. Have you ever pulled a blanket over you and seen, felt and heard the static arching across the blanket? Or maybe you were like me and used the cold, dry winter conditions to charge up your socks right before shocking an unsuspecting sibling. These scenarios happen due to changes in the weather and while this is relatively harmless at home, it can cause huge problems in an industrial environment. These serious problems can include:

- Fires and explosions

- Contamination and quality issues

- Disruption of microprocessor controls

- Operator safety

There are a couple ways to deal with this increasing static season. Be sure that all your equipment is clean and operating efficiently. After that, some of the equipment might need recalibrated if not being used in conjunction with a sensor. Finally, you might even need to think about adding more bars, blowers, or other products to keep things neutralized. Now is the time to review your static control measures.

To learn about static electricity safety and installing active static control solutions,click hereto find your local static specialist.

Static Monitoring

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:39:55 GMT

Correcting issues created by static can seem like a daunting task. There are a lot of things to consider like what products you need and where to place them. The only way to answer these types of questions is to understand the static fields influencing your process and the good news is, Simco-Ion makes tools to help you answer these important questions.

There are a number of ways to monitor static electricity and Simco-Ion makes some of the most advanced options on the market. One thing you’ll see almost every sales rep equipped with is an FMX. This is a handheld device used for monitoring static on the fly. While this is a great option for operators to check multiple locations or lines, there is a better option for monitoring a line for more than a moment. The IQ Power Sensor Bar and its hazardous locations brother, the HL Bar, are means of monitoring a line long term.

These two sensors can be run over any line a static bar could and provide valuable information to operator. This info is displayed on an IQ Power Control Station which can also log data for review later. However, on of the most impressive features of these sensors and IQ system is Closed Loop Feed Back or CLFB.

CLFB links sensors to corresponding neutralizing products like the IQ Easy Bar, IQ Power Nozzle, IQ Power Fantom Wide-Format Blower and more! What this means is that the Control Station is receiving real time information about the state of your web and using that info to make adjustments to the output of your static neutralizing products. The result is the best static neutralizing you can achieve in an industrial environment.

So if you're new to static control or a seasoned veteran just looking for more insight into the systems you manage, monitoring is for you! If you want to learn more about static monitoring or to purchase any of the products mentioned above, reach out to your local sales rep today!

Positive Emitters have Faster Erosion Rates?

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:13:23 GMT

Q: Why do positive emitters on DC Ionizers erode faster than negative emitters?

A: It is very easy to summarize in a simple “physics lesson”:

The positive emitter erodes faster than the negative emitters because the positive emitter is "bombarded" by electrons when it is running and the negative emitter is not. This is the same for any DC corona product. Though the positive emitter "absorbs" a negative molecule, it truly is a bombardment/impact to the emitter; it is not absorbed gently. On a molecular level, it sounds worse than it is, but that's what causes the difference.

IQ Power Control Station Ethernet Port Usage

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 13:01:34 GMT

Q: Can I use the IQ Power Control Station Ethernet port as a communication module?

A: The Ethernet port is not a true communication port. It can be used in very basic FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to access the data log file on a flash drive plugged into the USB port.
It is not a viable option as a communication module for reporting, alarms, or managing the IQ Power products. It does not provide any real time data access.

See the Instruction Manual for the Control Station under "Data Lodding" for any additional details.

Control Stations with serial numbers 1652xxxxxxxxxx or smaller:

Control Station with serial numbers 1701xxxxxxxxxxx and higher:

IQ Power Extension Cords

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 12:55:22 GMT

Simco-Ion is always looking for ways to improve and create better products for the future. That’s why the length of cables on all IQ Power™ Bars have been standardized.

Every IQ Power Bar now comes with a standard 10-foot cable, and extension cords are available to meet specific needs that require longer power cables.

Extension cords come in 10, 30 and 50 foot lengths. Both the power cable on the bars and extension cords are built in a way to allow for shortening if desired. However, there is no performance disadvantage to coiling excess wire and simply securing it safely.

Blowers vs Bars

Mon, 06 May 2019 20:14:17 GMT

With the recent release of the IQ Power™ Fantom Wide-Format Blower, there has been a lot of interest in ionizing blowers. Some of the most common questions have been regarding how blowers and bars differ, when to use each and how each function in different applications. Before we compare the two, here are the basics of how each function:

A bar is simple in theory, power is applied to create a charge in the emitter pins. The charge on the emitter pin creates air ions which carry the charge to its target. This charge is naturally attracted to the opposite charge that has built up on the web as it moved through the manufacturing process. Because of this, bars are effective within inches of the target. Since a bar must be placed closer to the target, it means more ions make it to the web which enables neutralization of higher speed targets.

Blowers have essentially the same technology but instead of relying solely on the attraction of oppositely charged particles, they use forced air to propel ions. This makes blowers effective at eliminating static on a 3D object, slower speed webs, and at a greater distance. In the Fantom’s case, the target can be up to 20 feet away. The benefit of a blower when compared to a nozzle or air assist bar is that it doesn’t require compressed air.

Now that the fundamentals have been laid out, it is time to consider the best product choice for the application. Traditionally, bars are used when there is room close to the web, since bars are most effective within a couple inches of the web. Due to the proximity to the web, bars are able to couple to the charge on the target. This makes them more effective on high speed webs.

However, there isn’t always room for bars. Manufacturing processes with moving parts, machinery, or 3D parts don’t leave space for equipment close to the web. Blowers are effective in these situations because of their ability to work from greater distances.

Blower can blow ions that spread over an object’s surface which makes discharging 3D parts an ideal application. The same air used to propel ions also helps to dislodge any neutralized debris as well. This is extremely effective for processes like prepping auto parts for paint.

Both products have a place in static control. The processes being used, amount of static, or type of environment will determine which option is best. Fortunately, Simco-Ion Reps are extremely knowledgeable in the subject and are the best resource for advising on an individual basis.