RESOURCE HUB
This FAQ answers the most common questions about ACI’s Air Knife Systems, covering selection, installation, maintenance, performance, and industry-specific applications. Whether you’re considering a new system or maintaining an existing one, you’ll find practical guidance for specifiers, engineers, and operators alike.
Products & Benefits
What is an air knife, and how does it work?
An air knife is a precision-engineered device that produces a high-velocity, laminar sheet of air. It removes moisture, debris, or static from product surfaces on production lines. The air is delivered evenly through a continuous regulated slot, allowing for efficient, non-contact drying or cleaning.
Read our Air Knife Guide for more information.
Why choose a blower-powered air knife instead of compressed air?
Blower-powered air knives are significantly more energy-efficient than compressed air systems, often reducing energy usage by 50–90%. They also operate more quietly, produce cleaner, oil-free air, and reduce maintenance demands. This makes them safer, more cost-effective, and more sustainable for continuous industrial use. Read our Comparative Blogfor more information.
What types of air knives do you offer?
- ACI offers a wide range of air knife types to suit different applications:
- Standard straight knives (aluminium or stainless steel)
- Chevron air knives for sheet and web drying
- Ring/air wipes for 360° cleaning of pipes or cables
- Adjustable air knives for flexible airflow control
- Neck & cap dryers, can tunnels, and more
Visit our Glossary of Terms to find out more.
Can air knives be used for static elimination?
Yes. We offer ionising air knives with anti-static bars to neutralise surface charge during the blow-off process. This is particularly useful in static-sensitive environments such as packaging lines, plastic film production, electronics assembly, and printing operations. By neutralising static, ionising air knives help prevent dust attraction, static misfeeds and material cling, thus improving product quality.
Are food-grade or hygienic air knives available?
Yes. We manufacture air knives in stainless steel for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications. These models resist corrosion, comply with hygienic design standards, and can be integrated into washdown environments.
Are explosion-proof or ATEX-rated air knife systems available?
Yes. We can supply air knives fitted with anti-static bars suitable for ATEX zones. If the blower is located within the explosive zone, an ATEX-certified blower must also be used. Our Engineers can advise you on the best configuration for hazardous environments.
System Selection & Performance
How do I size an air knife system for my application?
Proper sizing depends on product width, line speed, mounting distance, and drying/removal goals. Our technical team will recommend the optimal slot width, blower capacity, and air velocity for your needs. Custom lengths and configurations are available. Contact our Sales Team to get help with your project.
How long do ACI Air Knife systems last?
With regular maintenance, ACI air knife systems are built for long-term performance, and many customers report over a decade of reliable operation. While lifespan depends on environmental conditions and usage, routine belt and filter changes can significantly extend system life. All ACI products are covered by a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty as standard.
What return on investment (ROI) can I expect?
Most ACI systems offer ROI in under 12 months, thanks to significant savings on energy and compressed air costs. For example, replacing compressed air nozzles with a blower-powered air knife system can reduce operating costs by thousands per year, depending on run-time and air volume requirements.
Can ACI offer on-site demonstrations?
Yes, ACI offers free on-site demonstrations of our air knife systems to companies based on the UK mainland. For businesses outside the UK, we can assess your application using in-house testing at our dedicated facility in Devon, UK. We also provide demonstrations of our Industrial Fans and JetBlack Safety products where applicable.
Installation & Maintenance
Does ACI offer installation services?
Yes. We offer installation support for UK mainland customers when required. A typical system install, including blower, air knives or manifolds, is usually completed within one working day. If you’re installing multiple lines or large-scale systems, our team can help plan resources and downtime. For more information on fitting, please Contact Us.
How much maintenance does the blower require?
Blower systems are designed for long service life, but routine maintenance is essential to protect performance and prevent avoidable failures. We recommend regular visual checks to confirm the belt is correctly tensioned and the motor rotation matches the blower label. A loose or misaligned belt can cause vibration, lead to bearing wear, or result in overheating, particularly at the pulley end of the blower.
It’s also important to keep filters clean and inspect for dust buildup, as poor filtration can lead to performance loss and increased wear on the impeller and housing. Over time, airborne particles can affect internal clearances and increase the risk of bearing failure.
Following basic preventive maintenance, including periodic belt and filter replacement, most ACI blowers will operate reliably for over 10 years. For complete guidance, refer to your system’s user manual or contact our Technical Support Team.
How do I order replacement parts?
We stock all routine maintenance parts from belts and filters to blower heads, and aim to dispatch most orders quickly. Same-day dispatch is usually possible if the part is critical and the order is placed before 11 am (UK time).
Most standard parts are shipped within 1-3 working days. For urgent requests, contact our Sales Team directly.
What do I do if there is a blower head failure?
If a blower head fails, do not attempt to rebuild it on-site. Our blowers require precision balancing, rebuilding without it may lead to severe damage or injury.
We’ll typically provide a repair quote within 48 hours of receiving the faulty blower head. Standard turnaround for repairs is 3–5 business days from order confirmation.

