Shocking Fact of Life

However, fixing static-related productivity and quality issues doesn't have to be a mind-bending or pocket-emptying experience. "Whenever contamination is a concern, air ionizing devices like ionizing air nozzles, air bars, ionizing airknives, and WebVacs become common tools for the fight to control static, and its ability to attract and hold particles," said Jim Patterson, executive vice president of Julie Industries, Inc. (Wilmington, Mass.). "Most converters and printers are familiar with web cleaners that include blow and vacuum components, sticky/tacky tapes, ultrasonic, and a host of other products that bear similar acronyms. The engineer who takes these conventional tools and uses his or her imagination will have a better chance of solving unique problems at a lower cost."