Additive Manufacturing Moving To Replace Machining Processes

There are two main factors that are moving the process of using 3D Printing or Additive manufacturing into the product producing mainstream and replacing the traditional machining, CNC and injection molding processes. First, the number of skilled machinists and manufacturing engineers is rapidly declining and secondly, and most important, the younger generation has little or no interest in working for or with any manufacturing operation. The new generation sees their future in the digital world.

The other major reason is the speed in which additive manufacturing has advanced in every facet of product production. This is especially true in the use of additive manufacturing in producing parts from ferrous and nonferrous materials. The ability to produce a steel part that is one piece versus multiple parts or pieces using traditional machining is now blazing new trails in the ability to make a part in one print cycle that used to take five to eight steps. Also, the ability to quickly prototype a part and then change it and print again for five or more iterations in the span of one reduces prototyping and product development to less that 10% of the time for traditional machining.

Interestingly, the method of designing a part for manufacturing is identical in both traditional and additive manufacturing. The use of advanced CAD software allows for the design of any part and the design files are saved in different file types depending whether the part is made on a CNC machine or 3D Printer. This new generation of young workers already know how to use this software as their understanding computers, software, programming and object design is already in place. So, the 3D Printer is a perfect fit for this new group of workers who most likely will work remotely from the actual manufacturing operation.

Pure Air Systems began its operation in 1985 using hand drawings for the design of its HEPA based air filtration systems and then eventually moved into the CAD era and today is looking at using AI for some of its advanced equipment designs. The world of technology is moving at light speed and Pure Air Systems is keeping pace.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll free number at: 800-869-8025.

Interior view of 2000. HS HEPA unit

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Designing Your House With Air Filtration In Mind

People that are either building their first home or third home are always concerned with the interior room sizes, placement of rooms, wall treatments and appliances needed to make their home comfortable and livable. Unless they have had heating or cooling issues with an existing home, people rely on their contractor to put in the adequate cooling and heating systems and seldom think about the air filters or air filtration systems installed in a new home.

Most new homes are much tighter ( in regards to air leakage ) and a positive pressure door test is usually done to ensure that when the HVAC system is operational the home is slightly positive. Meaning air is being pushed out rather than being sucked in. Air filters are normally placed in the air returns that are normally located in most rooms, except the bathrooms. These general duty pleated filters are designed to keep most large airborne dust from entering the HVAC system and have very little resistance so they don’t put a strain on the main blower/motor assembly of the air handler. 

Since the air handlers are designed for the general duty air filters, placing a more restrictive, yet more effective air filter media, in the returns will reduce the fan power and pull less air through your HVAC system that could significantly affect the performance of your HVAC system. Therefore, you need to talk to your contractor prior to putting in your HVAC unit if you want to incorporate a more effective air filter system.

Usually the HVAC contractor will caution you about putting the more restrictive filters in your system and suggest a main air filter unit ( either electronic or media filter ) at the inlet to the air handler itself. This can be difficult and often creates installation issues and accessibility to the unit for servicing.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA based, fan powered air filtration systems since 1985 and has developed a method of attaching one of their HEPA Shield units in a partial by-pass installation that allows the filter to pull anywhere from 600 CFM to 2000 CFM of air through the air filter and then putting back into the HVAC unit. By pulling only a portion of the air the HEPA Shield unit can clean all the air in the house from 24 to 48 times a day depending upon the frequency of operation of the HVAC unit. And, you can still place the general duty filters in the air returns. 

For more information on the complete line of HEPA filters please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.

Typical Air Flow Diagram
Partial By-Pass System

 

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Only 3 Companies Like This In The World

When Pure Air Systems was established in 1985, there were a number of companies selling HEPA like and HEPA type air filtration systems. Many of these were used in the Asbestos Abatement projects that were prevalent at that time. In fact, Pure Air Systems was a spin-off from HEPA unit designed for abatement but never got into production.

The model 600H unit was a unit with a prefilter, carbon media filter and true commercial grade HEPA filter with a 1/3HP GE motor and Lau Blower. It was in one large section which was subsequently broken into two sections. This was the beginning of the PAS Line of HEPA systems. 

As the popularity of the 600H unit grew, PAS introduced the new ECM motors from GE to make the HEPA system available as a stand alone unit as well as using variable speed motors that were then being introduced by all the HVAC companies.

By 1999 PAS had grown the line from one unit to seven different systems including the new portable unit. It has also moved into a new 9,000 square foot building. As of this date, 90% of the units are still built with parts made in the USA and it is now one of only 3 companies in the world that make this type of HEPA with the size and flexibility in size range and air flow control.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon air filtration systems, please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.air filter applications collage

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Why HEPA Filters Are Still Best Choice For Airborne Contaminant Removal

HEPA filters are the best method of removing sub-micron airborne contaminants including, viruses, bacteria, dust particles and airborne allergens ( mold, pollen, etc.).

One of the challenges of using HEPA filters in a residential application is how the HEPA filter is installed to best gather the greatest amount of airborne particles from all rooms of the home. Most air filters in residential HVAC systems are either placed in the air returns for each room or one largepr filter is placed at the return air inlet of the main HVAC fan unit. 

Since HEPA filters have a much higher resistance to air flow than standard duty air filters, they need to be placed in a cabinet that includes its own blower/motor section to assist the air flow through the HVAC system so there is no disruption to the air flow from the HVAC unit. 

Pure Air Systems developed a HEPA filtration system that incorporated its own blower/motor unit along with a true commercial grade HEPA filter, prefilter and carbon media filter. This metal framed housing unit could be attached to the return air side of the HVAC system in what is called a “partial pass” concept. In essence, the HEPA system would pull anywhere from 600 CFM up to 2000 CFM of the return air ( the later used mostly in commercial systems) and then return it back into the HVAC system on the supply side. In this manner the HEPA system would clean all the air in the house after the 3rd or 4th pass. Or, approximately 30 to 50 times  day, depending on how often the HVAC fan system runs.

The PAS units all utililze the newer variable speed drive, digitially controlled motors that can be programmed to operate in sync with any HVAC system.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon systems please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.

Typical Air Flow Diagram
Partial By-Pass System

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Heat, Humidity and Your Enviroment

If you live in a part of the country where the summer months bring high humidity along with the heat, then your indoor living environment needs adequate air conditioning to maintain healthy living. 

High amounts of humidity (moisture) will condense out on cold surfaces and can become a breading ground for mold. If the moisture gets into a crawl space or attic area that is not conditioned, this area can also be a potential place for mold to grow. 

Aside from efficient air conditioning, the home envelope should be under positive pressure. This means that when the HVAC system fan is running, the air pressure inside the home should be slightly higher than the external air pressure. This ensures the home will always be expelling a small amount of air and keeping outside moisture, heat and humidity from entering the home. If the home air balance is not correct, the negative affect of outside air intrusion into the home will far outweigh a good heating/cooling system.

In addition, good filtration should be part of your HVAC system. Whether you use good filters on the return air grills or a good media filter at the fan unit, filters can significantly minimize the levels of airborne dust and the potential for mold build up on interior surfaces.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA based air filtration systems, please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.

1200/2000HS Plus Series Pre-Filter
1200/2000HS Plus Series Pre-Filter
600HS/600HS Plus Series OA Carbon Cartridge
600HS/600HS Plus Series OA Carbon Cartridge

 

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Using Carbon For Gaseous Pollutants

Removing odors and gaseous pollutants from any environment is much difficult than removing airborne particulate. There are a number of air filter types that can easily remove airborne dust, but the removal of airborne odors and gases requires some very specific materials that can effectively adsorb these organic or inorganic molecules.

The most common material used to remove odors is activated carbon ( charcoal) which comes in a number of sizes. The most common is cocoanut shell carbon that is usually around 1/4″ in size and is often enclosed in a mesh type material or sometimes in a fine opening screen container. Carbon can be used in both air and water for the extraction of gaseous pollutants, making it one of the more popular materials on the market.

When cocoanut shells are placed in a high temperature oven under pressure it expands the surface area of the material and then makes it into a carbon material. The expansion to the shell gives the material a very high surface area and the ability to adsorb up to 100 times its own weight in gaseous pollutants. This means that a small amount of carbon material can remove a large amount of the odors and last a long period of time. 

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered, commercial grade air filter systems since 1985. The various systems available from PAS include carbon media as a standard part of the filtration unit along with a prefilter an HEPA filter. In cases where a customer only has an odor or gaseous pollutant issue, Pure Air Systems can remove the HEPA filter and replace it with an all carbon bed of material. Depending upon the odor challenge, the systems can hold from as little as 8 lbs of carbon up to 60 lbs of carbon material. And the air flow capacity of the systems range from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon air filter systems please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com or call us on our toll-free number at:  8-869-8025.

Model 2000 HS with HEPA and Carbon

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Pure Air Systems Still Use All Metal Housings

Pure Air Systems began its journey in 1985 producing one of the first true, commercial grade, fan powered air filtration system that could be used in either commercial or residential applications. These units were made from 20 gauge mild steel that is powder coated for a durable, long-lasting finish. 

Today, the line up of 7 different systems made in variations in both size and air flow design are still made from the same high-grade 20 gauge powder coated steel housings now using the latest iteration of the variable speed drive motors that are digitally controlled. The HEPA filters are all 99.99% efficient at .3 microns and larger and the prefilters and carbon filters come standard with each unit. 

The HEPA Shield systems come in air flow ranges from a low of 50 CFM from our portable unit up to 2,000 CFM on our largest model 2000HS unit. These systems can also be modified to be attached to an existing HVAC duct work system or as stand-alone units. 

Pure Air Systems are all made here in the USA with most of the components manufactured in the US. Some of the original units are still in operation and the average longevity of any of the systems is better than 15 years. Making the PAS units one of the best economical purchases for any air filtration system on the market today.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon air filtrations please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

Typical Air Flow Diagram
Partial By-Pass System

 

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AI, Becoming The Next Great Employee

I have been playing around with the new Google AI app, Bard. It is fast, and easy to use. Further more, it will create anything you ask it to create. The more and better the prompt information you input, the better the end result. I have already used it to write some simple contracts. 

In the field of engineering, AI apps are helping entrepreneurs and manufacturing and design companies to both enhance existing designs and fabrication techniques but also developing whole new concepts is product development. And while there are skeptics out there who believe AI is the end of the world as we know it, this technology is growing so fast that in another 3 months it will become ubiquitous in the field of writing and creating everything.

ChatGPT and other AI apps are gaining popularity and there are now more than 15 of these apps out in the market place. Yes, students are using it to write term papers and do math problems, and this can be an issue down the road, but it also ushers in a new way to increase the speed of creating everything and with fewer employees. This concept has not been lost on major corporations who are already looking for individuals with some experience with these new computer models.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade HEPA based, fan-powered air filtration systems since 1985 and will begin to utilize this new technology for enhancing its product line as well as writing some of its marketing materials.

For more information on our complete product line please go to our website,  http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll free number at: 800-869-8025.

600 HS PLUS Plus Diagram - Components with Descriptions
600 HS PLUS – Split Housing Design

 

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Exploring Carbon For Odor Control

Standard Carbon Filter for 600HS/600HS Plus Series
Standard Carbon Filter for 600HS/600HS Plus Series

Carbon that is used for odor control if often made from expanded cocoanut shell carbon. This type of carbon has a high surface area and very high ratio of molecular adsorption to weight of carbon. This makes this material suitable for both adsorption of organic and inorganic odors and gaseous pollutants in both air and water applications.

For general odors found in most homes; typically pet, cooking and carpet odors, carbon filters placed in the HVAC system will be capable of removing about 50% of those odors with a replacement cycle of once every two months.

For commercial and industrial applications, it may be necessary to use large carbon beds, 10 – 20lb pads of carbon, to significantly reduce the the gaseous pollutants. And, in some cases, a catalytic material like zeolite may be required to enhance the adsorption of the gaseous pollutants. Depending upon the amount of pollutant being released it may be necessary to replace these carbon pads as often as once a week. 

Odors such those produced by cigarettes are some of the most difficult to remove as the nicotine smoke produces a sticky residue with adheres to almost any surface and releases that odor for long periods of time. Carbon can help in these cases but replacement of the carbon can be up to once a day.

For more information on carbon and other filtration processes please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll free number at:  800-869-8025.

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Commercial HEPA Air Filtration Systems

Started in 1985, Pure Air Systems has been making commercial grade, fan-powered, true HEPA air filtration systems for over 38 years. The same high quality metal fabricated housings used then are still used today. High quality ECM motors and metal framed HEPA filters along with carbon media and ring panel prefilters are all part of the various systems offered by Pure Air Systems.

PAS makes units a number of systems ranging in air flow from 50 CFM up to 2000 CFM. These units are configured so they can be mounted either as stand-alone units or as part of an existing, ducted HVAC system. The powder coated painted 16 gauge steel housings can be mounted in side or outdoors depending upon the application.

The ECM motors provide for variable speed control using digital controllers or run by a computer system. In addition, they can be used in a a120 volt 60Hz electrical system or 240 volt 50 Hz system. This means they can be use in any location around the world.

HEPA filters are the best method of removing over 99.9995% of all particles 0.3 microns in size and larger and approach 99.99% for particles as small as 0.12 microns. They are used in all hospital and medical facilities and in commercial, military and residential markets.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon filtration systems available from PAS, please go to our website at:  http://www.pureairsystems.com    or call us on our toll free number at;  800-869-8025.

600 HS PLUS Plus Diagram - Components with Descriptions
600 HS PLUS – Split Housing Design

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