I haven\u2019t done a spotlight in a while, so buckle up. \u00a0In these, I pull from the dozens of phone calls or emails and walk you through how we on the Application Engineering team select a product for a specific application!<\/p>\n
In this week\u2019s spotlight, we focus on a common scenario rather than an unusual application. Engaging in conversations about this topic is something we do frequently throughout the day here at EXAIR. CNC machines generate a significant amount of chips, and without an efficient management system, these chips can pose serious challenges. In this particular case, the customer operated a CNC machine equipped with two interchanging tombstones, allowing for one to be unloaded and loaded while the other remained within the machining envelope. This created a large issue when the fixtures and parts came out of the machining envelope where the chip management was located as the entire fixture and parts were covered in chips. <\/p>\n The solution we landed on was the EXAIR 55 Gallon Chip vac system<\/a>. The operator would use the aluminum pick-up wand to clear the chips away prior to unloading the fixture. And since they dispose of their chips in 55 gallon drums, they just switch the top over to an empty drum and roll the full one to their recycling room.<\/p>\n EXAIR\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Chip Vac<\/a>\u00a0is a compressed air operated\u00a0industrial duty vacuum<\/a>\u00a0designed specifically for vacuuming up chips and shavings. The powerful vacuum is suitable for use with metal, wood, or plastic chips and is designed to thread into the 2\u201d NPT bung on standard drum lids. The Chip Vac can handle dry or wet chips from fixtures, floors and work surfaces of machining centers, lathes, saws, mills, and a variety of other industrial equipment.<\/p>\n Electrically powered vacuums or shop vacs are not designed to be operated in a rugged industrial environment. Filters clog, motors wear out, and you find yourself frequently replacing them. EXAIR\u2019s Chip Vac has NO moving parts to wear out, doesn\u2019t require maintenance, and needs nothing but a source of compressed air to operate. In addition, the\u00a0sound level<\/a>\u00a0produced is half of that produced by an electric vacuum.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Chip Vac<\/a>\u00a0is sold in systems both with and without the drum. EXAIR has 5, 30, 55, and 110 gallon systems available for a wide range of applications. If you already have spare drums in your facility, the Chip Vac is also available with just the lid assembly, Chip Vac, 10\u2019 hose, tools, and filter bag to attach to the top of your own drums. All systems will include a drum lid with a locking right that easily fits onto the top of a standard open-top drum. It\u2019s easy to remove and place onto another drum so that different materials can be easily kept separate for recycling. Recycling companies will pay a premium price for pre-sorted chips and shavings.<\/p>\n With the Chip Vac, it\u2019s as easy as removing the lid and placing it onto a new drum in between jobs. Don\u2019t waste your time fooling with and replacing electrical vacuum systems. Get yourself a vacuum designed for the job. One that will last you year after year!<\/p>\n Get in\u00a0contact\u00a0<\/a>with an Application Engineer today to discuss how EXAIR can help solve your industrial vacuum needs with a maintenance-free product, shipped from stock the same day.<\/p>\n Jordan Shouse Send me an\u00a0email TombStone Image courtesy of\u00a0Siemens PLM\u00a0<\/a>via creative commons<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.exair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10144385063_445127fd5c_o.png?ssl=1\")
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Application Engineer<\/p>\n
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