What is static electricity?
Static electricity is a natural phenomenon that occurs when an imbalance of electrical charges accumulates on the surface of materials.
Atoms are composed of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons. Normally, these charges balance each other, resulting in a neutral atom. However, certain conditions can cause an imbalance, leading to a buildup of static electricity:
- Positive charge: An atom losing an electron creates a positive ion, resulting in a positive charge.
- Negative charge: An atom gaining an electron creates a negative ion, resulting in a negative charge.
These imbalances in electrical charge lead to the formation of electrostatic charges, which can negatively impact industrial processes.
What causes static electricity in industrial settings?
Static electricity naturally occurs in industrial processes when materials exchange electrons, creating an electrostatic charge.
Creation of charge through contact and separation:
For example, when a cylinder repeatedly strikes a material, it can lead to the transfer of electrons between the two surfaces. This transfer results in one surface gaining a positive charge and the other gaining a negative charge.
Charging Through Friction:
Industrial processes like conveyor belts and roller systems often involve the friction between materials, which can lead to the buildup of static electricity.
Even without direct contact, a charged object can induce a charge in another object simply by being close to it. This can lead to an imbalance of charges within the object itself. This is particularly concerning in the electronics industry, where delicate components can be damaged by even very small electrical discharges.
Electrostatic charging by blowing:
When using compressed air for cleaning, it is essential to filter the air to remove contaminants and dry it to prevent moisture buildup.
When the air is too dry, it becomes a better insulator. This can lead to the buildup of static electricity on surfaces that are exposed to air blasts.
What are the potential dangers of static electricity in industrial environments?
Static electricity can significantly impact the efficiency of industrial machinery and processes, as measured by Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
OEE evaluates machine availability, process performance, and product quality. Static-related issues can negatively affect each of these parameters.
Static electricity generates forces of attraction and repulsion between materials, leading to line jams and unplanned downtime. This directly impacts machine availability.
On some occasions, it becomes necessary to slow down machine speeds to reduce the generation of static electricity. However, this can negatively impact cycle times and overall productivity.
Static electricity can cause dust and contaminants to stick to surfaces, and it can damage delicate electronic components. This can degrade product quality and increase the number of rejected products.
The availability and performance of industrial processes, particularly those involving plastics and polymers, can be affected by large-scale static electricity, often associated with material transport and handling.
Some of the challenges associated with large-scale static electricity include:
- Welding and cutting defects
- Jams in winding machines
- Blockages in part feeders
- Shrink wrapping issues
- Material handling issues
In contrast, product quality is often impacted by microscopic statics, which is particularly relevant in industries that deal with electronic components, semiconductors, and automotive parts. Maintaining clean surfaces is essential in these industries.
Some specific issues caused by microscopic static electricity include:
- Contaminated plastic products
- Defective injection-molded parts
- Fractured brittle materials
- Electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can permanently damage electronic components or cause latent defects that shorten their lifespan.
Both macroscopic and microscopic statics can negatively impact industrial processes, product quality, and workplace safety across various sectors. Operators may be exposed to electrostatic discharges (ESD), and excessive static charge can increase the risk of fires or serious accidents, putting workplace safety at risk.
How do controlling and eliminating static electricity in industrial processes occur?
Effective strategies for managing static electricity can be classified into the following categories:
The process of identifying and eliminating static electricity starts with accurate measurement. Employing sensors, such as SMC's static electricity sensors, is the initial step in this process.
To safeguard workers from electrostatic discharges, proper grounding is essential. By grounding all conductive materials, we ensure that any generated static charge is safely dissipated, preventing the flow of electric current to users.
Static control and elimination systems:
There are several types of ionizers and static eliminators available such as:
These static eliminators are designed for applications requiring coverage of large surfaces and long distances.
Nozzle ionizers provide a precise solution for neutralising static electricity on targeted surfaces.
Air ionizer fans are frequently used for neutralising static electricity in large workspaces or areas where compressed air is not readily available.
Ionizing air guns are used to manually clean insulation materials, neutralizing static charge and preventing particle contamination.
Selecting the right auxiliary components, such as anti-static pneumatic connections and suction cups, is essential for controlling static electricity in industrial processes. These components are designed to minimize and dissipate static charge.
Industrial technical cleaning:
When statically charged particles compromise product quality, industrial cleaning is necessary. SMC's desktop duster boxes offer a comprehensive solution, neutralizing static electricity, removing dust, and collecting debris in a single unit. These devices are suitable for use in clean room environments.
The motto of SMC's range of antistatic solutions: simplicity and effectiveness.
Improve the efficiency and quality of your industrial processes with SMC's reliable anti-static solutions Our static electricity meters and eliminators are designed for user-friendly installation and minimal maintenance.
Discover the ideal ionizer to eliminate unexpected shutdowns, enhance product quality, and safeguard operators from electrostatic discharges.
Seeking expert guidance on choosing static electricity sensor or eliminator? Contact our specialists that can provide personalized advice in Norwegian or English.
