Time to think outside of the box when thinking about flow aids

2020 has been the year of thinking outside of the box. We have been thrown into situations where we were/are working from home, operating with reduced manpower, or being shut down entirely as we navigate the response to Covid-19. However, with the restrictions/limitations that we all have been working with, we are still meeting the demands - and at some points exceeding - of where we were just a year before.

So, I started to think of how we are managing this.  My first thought...innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. We know what the goal/end result is, and now we make adjustments to meet those goals/results. All of us have become experts in video conferencing, conference calls, shared google docs, instant messaging, etc., This same mindset can be used to improve how and where to use technology to move material.

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How would you answer the following questions?

• Do you have a hopper/chute/transfer point that requires manual intervention to get material flowing?
• Do you have the extra manpower to have someone walk around with the sole purpose of getting material flowing again?
• Do you currently use any of the following to fix the flow issue: sledgehammer/metal rod/air lance?
• Do material flow problems have an impact on your daily/weekly/monthly production?
  

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, maybe it's time to think outside of the box and consider an air cannon as a better and more efficient solution to improving material flow.   

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When used correctly, an air cannon can provide:

• A proactive, not reactive, approach to material buildup...don’t wait for the material to stop flowing
• Timed firing/sequencing
• Automated firing triggered by material sensor
• Easy maintenance due to modular design
• Various nozzle & cannon sizes to suit variety of applications
• Safe and cost-effective solution
• Effective use of manpower
• Reduced opportunities for on-the-job injuries

Air cannons can be placed on hoppers, bins, head chutes, etc., for a safe and efficient way to eliminate material pluggage and keep material flowing. Cannons can be used in a wide range of industries and with varieties of material. If you have been dealing with material flow issues by trying the same solutions with limited success, think outside of the box!