A  900 m/min. Vortex wipe                     Vortex in action (see description)

The Vortex Air Wipe

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WIRE GUIDE-VORTEX AIR WIPE 51wire guide - an air wipe at air offwire guide - an air wipe with air on
     


If you are unhappy with your monthly bill for compressed air to drying your wire, please read on.

Vortex Air Wipe upgrades wiping efficiency and saves compressed air. They feature:                

  1. Vortex air wiping;
  2. Replaceable, diamond polished centering guides;
  3. Diamond polished wiping cylinder;
  4. Choice of multiple wipes.

            How does the Vortex work?

            Air wipe converts the potential energy of compressed air to kinetic energy by passing the air through reducing orifice(s) which routes the air diverged towards the wire entrance of the wiping cylinder.  By arranging the orifice(s) at a slope in compound angle, Vortex Air Wipe converts the potential energy of the compressed air into 2 kinetic vectors, one linear and one rotational.

            The rotational vector creates in the wiping cylinder a strong, revolving Vortex, which imparts onto the water droplet/debris a rotational momentum about its center of mass, dislodging it (from the wire) and carrying it away with the linear vector, analogous to the behavior of a miniature tornado. As a matter of fact, the air velocity within Vortex Air Wipe substantially exceeds that of a tornado (see Questions).

            Photos above illustrate the Vortex in action.  A wire with a small white flag at its top is inserted into a Vortex Air Wipe at air off (top center). When the air is turned on (top right), the wire starts to spin at high speed, which concretely evidencing the action of the Vortex.

            It is this swiveling Vortex that enables the little air wipe shown at top left to cleanse a Ø1.2 mm wire at 900 meters/minute.

            Replaceable Centering Guides

           Centering the wire in the wiping cylinder assures an even distribution of the Vortex.  This can be fulfilled by a centering guide made of ultra-hard material, diamond polished, that is located at the wire exit of the air wipe. To maximize the usability of our air wipes, we offer for your choice replaceable centering guides to match the wire diameters you choose to process.  These centering guides are destined to wear and call for periodical replacements.

            Choice of Multiple Wipes

           When the wiping parameters require increased wiping power beyond the designed wire guide-a dual modual air wipecapability of a single air wipe, it is a common practice to install in tandem 2 identical air wipes.  However, this takes up additional floor space and needs precise alignment of the air wipes.

            We addressed the issue by extending the length of the wiping cylinder integrated in the same air wipe, adding extra air inlets to create Multiple Vortices, saving floor space and eliminating alignment. Shown at right is a Dual Module Air Wipe.

           Air Pressure

           Please see Optimum Air Pressure for Air Wipes.      

            At the time of this writing, we offer for your selection Ruby Air Wipe, Modular Air Wipe, and Replacement Air Wipes, the particulars of which are introduced in the pages to follow.


    Ruby Air Wipe                    Modular Air Wipe                  Replacement Air Wipe