Air Shaft Basics

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In manufacturing, an air shaft is a rotating machine part used for rotating a series of winding brushes in the manufacturing process of soft web-fiber materials, like continuous-process print presses. It has many applications, but most commonly these are found in spray foam blowing, injection molding, and the manufacturing of thin-wall panel insulation, check out Air Shafts from Goldenrod Corporation . These types of machinery also often appear in auto body shops, boat yards, gyms, auto parts and tire stores. Many of these applications use air-powered versions as stand-up units.

The general purpose of an air shaft in a machine is to move or rotate a series of windings while feeding a spindle or other type of housing through it. There are generally four types of air shafts available: pneumatic, electric, pneumatic lifters, and rotary cutters. Each serves a particular application, so knowing which one to use is dependent on the application and type of machine. Electric air-driven shafts are generally used in spray foam blowing, injection molding, and the manufacture of thin-wall panels, view expanding air shafts from Goldenrod Corporation . Pneumatic lifters are usually used in wheelchairs, overhead cranes, and compressors, and rotary cutters are used in hand cranes, woodworking machines, and textile dyes and colors.

Many applications utilize electric air shafts to provide smooth, low-profile operation. The same effect can be achieved with rotary cutters by changing the diameter of the rotor blades or adding rings. Rotary cutters are also commonly utilized to cut into fabric, to cut a panel to a specific size, or to fabricate panels of fiberglass helmet or cover. Many industries have access to electric air shafts because they are light, relatively inexpensive, and can be controlled remotely.

An air shaft is typically constructed of steel, with an inner liner and outer ring. This outer ring is known as the "core" of the unit, while the core is known as the "shaft." Depending upon the application, the ring may also contain an outer collar, which provides for attachment of various accessories. These accessories include an inner core that carries ballast, which reduce the velocity through the air shaft, and a clutch, which may carry a motor and associated electric elements.

In addition to many applications requiring steady pressure of air at a fixed rate, air shafts are also used in industrial and commercial applications requiring higher pressures. For example, most fresh air generators need to operate at higher pressures than do industrial and commercial generators, and almost all aircraft must have an air shaft in order to generate their own lift. Moreover, many pumps require an air shaft in order to operate, since their impellers and/or rotors are mounted inside an air shaft.

Shafts and their cores can be constructed from different materials. Shafts that consist of a steel shell or core are common on many air shafts, including both the outer and inner rings. Core construction is most often metal, though it may be constructed of high-density plastic, epoxy, or other composite materials. An air shaft core has a large diameter and may be solid or hollow and have either a ballast or a clutch. A ballast is a heavy weight at the bottom of an air shaft, which allows for steady pressure to maintain a steady flow through the shaft, while a clutch is a small piston that, when activated, causes the piston to lift, thus propelling the air upward through the shaft. Learn more from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/air-shaft