Savvy manufacturers never stop searching for ways to keep costs down and improve productivity… As the at the start cost of electricity tools is without a doubt attractive, pneumatic tools give a lower total price of ownership and greater throughput over the long term.
Industrial air grinders give a different value proposition than electric grinders. They’re engineered for longevity, efficiency, and more importantly safety. Air powered grinders are increasing in popularity due to the benefits provided with regards to their cost. Adopting air powered grinders brings about greater financial savings through the duration of the tool.
In this post, we explore 5 clear cut benefits afforded by the use of industrial grade pneumatic grinders.
1. Non recourse of Electric Shock
Grinders of most varieties are frequently employed in environments where moisture, conductive materials, and flammable liquids exist. Damaged cords and wires pose a hazard to operator safety resulting from electrical shock. Furthermore, metal fabricators often rely on flammable chemicals, such as acetone, to completely clean and prep metals before welding. Pools of spilled liquids can easily be ignited by faulty electrical cords. Additionally, vapor concentrations can be higher when doing work in confined spaces such as those located in the mining and tank cleaning industries. On the other hand, air tools require no electricity, as well as their rotary vane air motors generate no spark. Pneumatic grinders therefore develop a safer work environment which decreases the probability of generating OSHA violations. Simply put, air tools are safer than electric tools because a cloak hose will not emit a spark and could be used in wet conditions.
2. Superior Ergonomics and Capacity to Weight Ratio
Pneumatic grinders give a better power to weight ratio than electric grinders. Simply put, pneumatic grinders produce more horsepower inside a smaller and lighter package. Misleadingly, electric tool manufacturers often classify the strength of their tools with the wattage fed to their electric motors (incidentally 750 watts equals roughly 1 horsepower). What’s not mentioned in electric tool specifications would be that the power fed to the motor is not the same wattage that concerns the spindle from the tool. The truth is, only 50% to 60% from the rated wattage actually arrives to the abrasive or accessory. As opposed, with pneumatic grinders, power in equals power out. An air motor rated for 1 horsepower will give that same volume of capacity to the tool.
3. Increased Productivity
Let’s put ergonomics and ratios aside as it were. If increasing worker output is really a priority to your operation (so when is it not?), pneumatic grinders can help you meet your objectives. When making use of grinders regardless of the sort, Revolutions Each minute (RPM) play a crucial role from the material removal equation. Abrasive products (grinding wheels, fiber discs, flap wheels, etc.) are engineered to do optimally with a specific RPM. Fortunately, modern pneumatic grinders are equipped with a speed control mechanism, (also referred to as a governor), that ensures proper RPM by money venting towards the tool. Since the operator places downward pressure for the abrasive, the governor “opens up”, increasing venting towards the motor and ensuring the best spindle speed.
4. 100% Duty Cycle + High end in Harsh Environments
Mitch Burdick, something Manager for Saws at Bosch says: “The two biggest threats affecting electric tool life are dirt and and warmth – dropping them in water, or baking them within a hot sun doesn’t help either.” By their very nature electric motors possess a rated duty cycle which must be respected. Without a periodic rest, the temperature generated by the motor itself will diminish performance and ultimately cause premature tool failure. Actually, for every 4 minutes running, an electric powered grinder is designed to have one minute respite.
Furthermore, the generation of particles is inherent in any material removal process. With all the open grate style motor compartments required for cooling, electric tool motors are more vulnerable to the accumulation of debris and dust. In contrast, Industrial Grade Air Tools are made especially for used in foundries, shipyards, offshore oil platforms, power plants, metal fabrication facilities, and petrochemical refining plants. Air tools have a 100% duty cycle, meaning they are built to run 24 hours a day Seven days a week (when used in combination with a filter regulator lubricator). Air tool housings are constructed with aluminum or steel, not Fibreglass driving them to more resistant to the impact from repeated drops. Pneumatic grinders could even be used underwater if your exhaust is vented higher than the surface!
5. Ease of Servicing and Sustainability
An industrial grade grinder is not a disposable machine and immediately end up in the landfill like a “disposable” commercial electric grinder. Pneumatic grinders could be updated and stay periodically rebuilt more often than not over. The normal electric tool maintenance interval is between 60 and 120 hours and the tool will typically need, to start, a whole new pair of brushes. Comparatively, a garage / maintenance grade air tool averages 200 hours between service intervals while a really industrial grade air grinder can run up to 2000 hours between tune-ups. When the time comes to service your air tools, convenient and clearly labeled kits are available which contain the most typical wear parts.
To read more about air rotary tool see this useful resource