OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ can significantly increase your production speeds and improve gloss levels.

HEATED AIR KNIVES

Improve your drying process with OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ Heated Air Knife Systems.

OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ can provide either ambient or, heated air knife systems.  Systems can be either fixed or portable.

OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ Heated Air Knives are blower driven and designed to give maximum efficiency for high velocity air drying of inks, coatings and, blow off applications. Our systems feature a continuous, uninterrupted air slot for uniform air coverage over the projected area.

  • Increase your production speeds with OXYTECH SYSTEMS™
  • Yield higher speeds and better gloss levels
  • Unique design decreases time for scheduled maintenance
  • Portable systems can move from press to press with ease and are adjustable to virtually any web path configuration
  • PLC assures 24/7 performance and reliability
  • Start the drying process of waterbased inks and aqueous coatings with high velocity heated air
  • Bottling and canning facilities use air knives to dry products prior to date coding or labeling
  • Water and chemicals can be sheared from surfaces after washing
  • Fruit and other food products are dried and, dirt and debris are blown off with air
  • After cutting or machining, debris and scrap are effectively removed from metal, wood, cardboard, plastic and other surfaces
  • Packaged foods are air dried without adding excessive heat
  • After applying coatings to parts, foods, etc, excess coating can be sheared off to evenly distribute the coating
  • Chemicals and flux can be removed from printed circuit boards.

Contact us to learn how heated air knife systems from OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ can increase your production speeds and reduce downtime for scheduled maintenance.

Portable Air Knife
Heated Air Knives for Sheetfed Presses
OXYTECH SYSTEMS™ Air Knife

Oxytech Systems Heated Air Knives: Revolutionizing Industrial Drying

Oxytech Systems leads the industry in delivering innovative solutions for high-performance drying, particularly through its advanced heated air knife systems. These systems transform manufacturing processes by enhancing efficiency, boosting production speeds, and ensuring superior drying outcomes across various applications, such as, sheet fed, flexo printing, laminating, web and digital printing. This article explores how Oxytech’s heated air knives work, their key features, applications, and the tangible benefits they bring to industries, all while drawing on insights from their official resources.

How Heated Air Knives Function

Oxytech’s heated air knives generate a powerful, high-velocity curtain of heated air to remove moisture, debris, or coatings from surfaces without physical contact. The system employs a centrifugal blower that forces air through a precision-engineered plenum, exiting through a narrow slot to create a uniform, laminar airflow. This airflow delivers controlled heat and velocity, ensuring efficient drying or cleaning of surfaces, printed materials, or industrial components. Unlike traditional compressed air systems, Oxytech’s blower-powered design reduces energy consumption by 50–75%, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.

The heated air knives integrate advanced temperature and velocity controls, allowing operators to tailor performance to specific applications. For instance, the system maintains consistent drying for water-based inks or glues by evaporating moisture rapidly and uniformly. Oxytech’s systems also feature evacuation provisions to remove vaporized moisture, preventing recontamination of surfaces. These capabilities make the heated air knives ideal for high-speed production lines where precision and efficiency are paramount.

Key Features of Oxytech’s Heated Air Knives

Oxytech designs its heated air knives with several standout features that set them apart in the industry:

  • Customizable Configurations: Oxytech offers both portable and permanent heated air knife systems, tailored to meet specific application needs. Each system includes custom-built enclosures, supply and return blowers, and Mitsubishi PLC-based controls for seamless integration into existing production lines.
  • Energy Efficiency: By leveraging blower-driven technology, Oxytech’s systems reduce energy costs significantly compared to compressed air alternatives. This efficiency aligns with modern sustainability goals, minimizing operational expenses.
  • Precision Control: The systems feature adjustable temperature and velocity settings, ensuring optimal performance for diverse materials, from cardboard to metal sheets. Operators use a single interface to fine-tune settings, enhancing ease of use.
  • Robust Design: Built for durability, Oxytech’s air knives withstand demanding industrial environments, ensuring long-term reliability with minimal maintenance.
  • Versatile Applications: The systems support a range of processes, including drying remoisturizing glue, drying aqueous inks and coatings, and cleaning surfaces, making them adaptable to various industries.

These features collectively enable Oxytech’s heated air knives to deliver consistent, high-quality results while optimizing production efficiency.

Applications in Industry

Oxytech’s heated air knives serve a wide array of industries, particularly in printing and packaging. Here are some key applications:

Benefits of Oxytech’s Heated Air Knives

Adopting Oxytech’s heated air knives brings several advantages to industrial operations:

  • Increased Production Speeds: By accelerating drying processes, the systems enable faster line speeds, boosting throughput and reducing production bottlenecks.
  • Improved Product Quality: The uniform airflow ensures consistent drying, reducing defects. This reliability enhances the quality of finished products.
  • Environmental Impact: By minimizing energy use and eliminating the need for carbon-based fuels, Oxytech’s systems support sustainable manufacturing practices.
  • Enhanced Workplace Safety: The non-contact drying method reduces the risk of mechanical damage to products and eliminates hazards associated with open-flame heaters.

These benefits make Oxytech’s heated air knives a strategic investment for manufacturers aiming to optimize performance while reducing costs and environmental footprints.

Why Choose Oxytech Systems?

Oxytech Systems, based in Carpentersville, Illinois, has earned a reputation as a leader in drying and curing solutions since 2004. The company’s commitment to innovation drives its development of cutting-edge technologies like heated air knives. Unlike competitors, Oxytech customizes each system to meet specific client needs, ensuring optimal performance for unique applications. Their in-house engineering expertise allows for rapid design and deployment, supported by comprehensive customer service, including consultation, installation, and ongoing support.

Oxytech’s focus on quality is evident in its made-in-the-USA products, which adhere to rigorous standards for durability and performance. The company’s heated air knives integrate seamlessly with other drying technologies, such as infrared or ultraviolet systems, offering clients a holistic approach to production challenges. By choosing Oxytech, businesses gain a partner dedicated to maximizing efficiency and delivering measurable results.

Competitive Edge in the Market

Compared to competitors like Sonic Air Systems or Vortec, Oxytech’s heated air knives stand out for their tailored configurations and energy efficiency. While Sonic emphasizes heater-less designs with variable temperature control, Oxytech’s systems offer precise PLC-based controls and evacuation provisions, ensuring superior drying consistency. Vortec’s air knives, which rely on compressed air, consume more energy than Oxytech’s blower-driven systems, making Oxytech a more cost-effective choice for high-volume operations.

Future Potential

As industries increasingly prioritize sustainability and efficiency, Oxytech’s heated air knives are well-positioned to meet growing demand. Their ability to reduce energy consumption while maintaining high performance aligns with global trends toward greener manufacturing. Future innovations may include enhanced automation or integration with smart factory systems, further streamlining production processes. Oxytech’s ongoing commitment to research and development ensures that its solutions will continue to evolve, keeping clients at the forefront of their industries.

Contacting Oxytech Systems

Businesses interested in exploring Oxytech’s heated air knives can contact the company directly at their Carpentersville, Illinois, headquarters. Reach out via phone at 847-888-8611, fax at 847-888-8696, or info@oxytechsystems.com. Oxytech’s team of experts stands ready to provide customized solutions tailored to specific production needs, ensuring seamless integration and optimal results.

Conclusion

Oxytech Systems’ heated air knives redefine industrial drying by combining precision, efficiency, and sustainability. Their ability to enhance production speeds, reduce costs, and improve product quality makes them a game-changer for industries like printing and packaging. With customizable designs and a commitment to innovation, Oxytech empowers manufacturers to achieve their goals while staying ahead in a competitive market. For businesses seeking reliable, high-performance drying solutions, Oxytech’s heated air knives deliver unmatched value and results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Oxytech’s heated air knives used for?

Oxytech’s heated air knives are high‑performance drying systems that use a powerful, high‑velocity curtain of heated air to remove moisture, debris, or coatings from surfaces without physical contact. They are ideal for applications such as sheetfed, flexo, laminating, web, and digital printing, as well as other industrial drying and cleaning processes.

How do Oxytech’s heated air knives work?

The systems use a centrifugal blower to force air through a precision‑engineered plenum, exiting via a narrow slot to create a uniform, laminar airflow. This delivers controlled heat and velocity for rapid, even drying. Compared to compressed air systems, they reduce energy consumption by 50–75%.

What key features set Oxytech’s heated air knives apart?

They offer customizable configurations (portable or permanent), Mitsubishi PLC‑based controls, adjustable temperature and velocity, robust construction for industrial environments, and versatility for drying inks, coatings, glues, and cleaning surfaces.

What industries use Oxytech’s heated air knives?

They are widely used in printing, packaging, bottling, canning, food processing, metal and wood fabrication, and electronics manufacturing — anywhere fast, precise, non‑contact drying or debris removal is needed.

What benefits do they provide to manufacturers?

Benefits include increased production speeds, improved product quality, reduced energy costs, enhanced workplace safety, and support for sustainable manufacturing practices.

How do Oxytech’s heated air knives compare to competitors?

Unlike some competitors that rely on compressed air or heater‑less designs, Oxytech’s blower‑driven systems with PLC controls and evacuation provisions deliver superior drying consistency and greater energy efficiency, making them more cost‑effective for high‑volume operations.

Can the systems be customized?

Yes. Oxytech offers tailored designs with various lamp configurations, power settings, and control options to meet specific application needs. Systems are scalable for future production growth.

How can I contact Oxytech Systems?

You can reach Oxytech at their Carpentersville, Illinois headquarters by phone at 847‑888‑8611, fax at 847‑888‑8696, or email at info@oxytechsystems.com for consultation, installation, and support.


Please call with questions about drying and curing solutions.

Main: 847-888-8611