What is static electricity?
Static electricity is a natural process in which electrical charge builds up between materials until it finds a path to discharge.
Atoms seek balance between protons and electrons (a neutral charge), but imbalances can occur:
- Positive charge: When an atom loses an electron, it generates positive ions, resulting in a positive charge.
- Negative charge: When an atom gains an electron, it generates negative ions, resulting in a negative charge.
These imbalances generate electrostatic charges that can negatively impact industrial processes.
When and how is static electricity generated in industrial environments?
In all industrial processes, whenever these imbalances occur, electrons are transferred or gained between materials, resulting in the generation of an electrostatic charge:
- Contact and separation:
For example, a cylinder repeatedly striking a material can create a positive charge on one element and a negative charge on the other. - Friction:
Industrial processes like conveyor belts or materials moving over rollers are common sources of friction-generated static electricity. - External influence:
A charged body can induce a charge in a nearby object simply through proximity, even without direct contact. This is especially critical in the electronics industry, where components are highly sensitive to even low-voltage discharges. - Blowing:
In air-blowing cleaning applications, it is necessary to pre-treat the compressed air by filtering out contaminants and drying it to avoid condensation on the cleaned surface.
Low humidity makes the air more insulating, which can increase the likelihood of electrostatic charge generation on blown surfaces.
Risks of static electricity in industrial environments
Static electricity negatively affects OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)—a key metric for measuring the efficiency of machinery and industrial processes—by influencing:
- Availability:
Electrostatic forces of attraction or repulsion between materials can cause jams and unplanned downtime. - Performance:
Machine speeds may need to be reduced to minimize static generation, affecting cycle times. - Quality:
Static charges can attract dust or contaminants to components and cause electronic damage, resulting in poor product quality and increased rejection rates. - Macroscopic static relates to availability and performance issues and is typically associated with the handling and transport of plastics and polymers.
Common issues include: - Defective welding or cutting
- Winding machine jams
- Part feeder jams
- Shrink-wrap defects
- Improper handling
- Microscopic static affects product quality and is linked to processes involving electronic parts, semiconductors, or automotive components, where surface cleanliness is critical.
Associated issues include: - Paint process pores
- Plastic product contamination
- Injection mold defects
- Breakage of fragile materials
- Electrostatic discharges (ESD): These can cause irreversible or latent damage to electronic components, reducing their lifespan.
How to control and eliminate static electricity in industrial processes
Solutions for controlling static electricity fall into the following categories:
- Measurement systems:
Since static electricity is invisible, the first step is to measure and detect critical points. SMC offers static electricity sensors to help identify and address these areas. - Grounding:
ESD that affects workers can be prevented with proper grounding, allowing charges to be safely discharged. All conductive materials should be grounded to dissipate static charge. - Static control and elimination systems:
Various ionizers or static eliminators are available, including: - Anti-static auxiliary components:
It is important to consider the materials used in auxiliary components. For example, anti-static pneumatic fittings and tubing for blow-off applications. - Technical industrial cleaning:
When particles adhere to products due to static charge and affect quality, specialized technical cleaning is recommended.
SMC offers desktop duster box that neutralize static, remove dust, and collect it in a single unit.
Simplicity and efficiency: that’s the core of SMC’s anti-static solutions.
With easy installation and low maintenance, our static eliminators and sensors help you boost both the performance and quality of your industrial processes.
Need expert advice on choosing the right sensor or eliminator?
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