In the extrusion of soft materials (usually insulated cables and tubes), air wipes are necessary for the proper operation of in-line printers and spark testers to remove water droplets or films which otherwise would cause print failure or false fault counts (risking shock hazards to cable users).
Air wipes protect process instrumentation, such as spark testers or diameter gauges, from damage by water carried into or sprayed onto the equipment.
Marldon air wipes achieve maximum wiping action with modest air consumption because the wipe orifice can be easily set to the optimum diameter required with enough clearance to allow for whip and vibration.
Air consumption varies directly with the orifice size; the smaller orifice used, the lower the air consumption.
Competitive Advantage
Marldon Airwipes all offer the facility to vary the cable path orifice diameter thus allowing one Airwipe to cater for a range of cables with equal efficiency for each diameter cable. This contrasts with other manufacturers’ products which usually offer fixed diameter orifices which means that a different unit will be needed to accommodate EACH cable diameter. By using a Marldon Airwipe you only need one unit to cover a range of diameters.
And, for high-speed Airwiping, the Marldon model 838 is the only Airwipe to break the surface tension of the water during the drying process – increasing efficiency.
Each model has 2 wheels, each with a groove of increasing depth cut around the circumference. The wheels are marked with diameter indications around the circumference to facilitate setting the airwipe for the appropriate cable diameter being processed. These indications are the largest cable diameter at that setting ( not the orifice diameter ). Each wheel is rotated (and then fixed) so that the markings on the circumference match at the point of contact between the 2 wheels. This indication specifies the cable diameter which will dry through this orifice setting. The wheels index into fixed positions. The design gives a 360°, surround air jet, which is directed slightly upstream. Air only exits at the position where the cable passes through. One wheel is mounted on a hinged “floating” bracket which enables it to ride over knots or lumps.
- Model 688 – from 2 to 12 mm. dia. at speeds up to 350 metres/min
- Model 674 – from 3 to 22 mm. dia. at speeds up to 350 metres/min
- Model 685 – from 12 – 65 mm. dia. at speeds up to 350 metres/min
Model, comprises an upper and lower section, with 9 air jets. Each section is fitted with ceramic protectors to prevent wear as the cable contacts the airwipe. Contact is intended as it facilitates water removal. The upper and lower sections are designed with exit vents to allow removed water to escape. The upper and lower halves are hinged and kept together by a spring, allowing the airwipe to open as necessary for the passage of knots and lumps. The airwipe is fitted with simple adjustment to modify the distance between the two sections to allow optimum settings for the cable diameter.
- Model 838 – from 0.5 to 8 mm. dia at speeds up to 1000 metres/min
Two tubes are supported on hinged arms. Each tube comprises a central tube and an outer sleeve. The inner tube has an air exit slot (either 115mm or 150mm long) pointing towards the opposite tube. The outer sleeve has 4 slots, one slot at each 90° position around the sleeve. These slots are of different lengths and the required slot length for the cable diameter is chosen by rotating the sleeve. The tube support arms can be adjusted to rest at the customer’s chosen width apart, but are spring loaded to open wider and then return to rest to allow the passage of knots and lumps. A support roller is provided to carry the larger cables used on this size airwipe.
- Model 115 – from 50 to 115 mm. dia. at speeds up to 50 metres/min
- Model 150 – from 50 to 150 mm. dia. at speeds up to 50 metres/min