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Blow Air Gun

What Is a Blow Air Gun?

Blow Air Guns

A blow air gun is a tool that uses compressed air to blow dust and dirt away from the surface of objects.

Typically utilized in various applications, including industrial and automotive maintenance, and household cleaning, examples include air compressors and receiver tanks that generate compressed air. Owing to their use of compressed air, blow air guns can effectively clean even the smallest crevices and areas of complex shape.

They allow for efficient removal of dirt and dust in areas challenging to clean manually, enabling a quicker cleaning process compared to traditional methods.

However, due to the use of high-pressure air, it is crucial to exercise caution to ensure safety. Wearing appropriate protective gear, such as safety glasses, is essential, as direct exposure to high-pressure air can result in injuries to the eyes or skin.

Uses of Blow Air Guns

Thanks to their efficient cleaning capabilities and versatile usage, blow air guns find application in various settings:

1. Automotive Maintenance

Useful for cleaning engine crevices, parts around wheels, brake discs, etc., blow air guns enhance maintenance efficiency and cooling effectiveness. Cleaning these parts is also vital for ensuring safe operation and optimal brake performance.

2. Factories

In manufacturing environments, the cleanliness of machinery and equipment is pivotal for maintaining production quality and safety. Blow air guns play a crucial role in dust removal from machine parts and crevices, thereby preserving precise operation and minimizing the risk of malfunctions and defects.

3. Metal Processing

During the cutting and welding processes in metalworking, metal scraps and chips are produced. Blow air guns are frequently employed to clear these byproducts, preventing debris accumulation, preserving cutting accuracy, and maintaining a safe working environment.

4. Information and Communications

Commonly used for cleaning personal computers and keyboards, blow air guns help remove dust and particles from key gaps and internal fans, ensuring devices operate normally and extend their lifespan. However, air dusters are preferred for smaller-scale cleaning tasks.

Principle of Blow Air Guns

A blow air gun operates by utilizing compressed air to clear dust and dirt from object surfaces. It is comprised of a main body, a nozzle, and an air connection port.

1. Main Body

The main body includes a handle and grip, along with a casing that encloses the internal mechanism. It houses the trigger and operation buttons, serving as the user interface for the blow air gun.

2. Nozzle

Designed to direct compressed air at high velocities, the nozzle’s shape and size are tailored to specific applications and may be interchangeable. Certain models are equipped with air filters to enhance the quality of the air output.

3. Connection Port

Engineered for attachment to a compressed air supply, the connection port on the blow air gun’s body links to the air source via a hose or other means.

Types of Blow Air Guns

There are many different types of blow air guns, depending on their application and shape. The following are common types of blow air guns:

1. Jet Type

Specializing in powerful air delivery, this model is designed for high-impact cleaning and is used alongside high-pressure air compressors.

2. Long Type

Featuring a long, narrow nozzle, this model excels in reaching difficult spaces, with many versions offering telescopic functionality.

3. Flat Type

With a broad nozzle, this model is ideal for cleaning large, flat surfaces efficiently.

Additionally, the versatility of blow air guns is enhanced by the availability of multiple nozzle attachments, catering to varied cleaning needs and applications, including large-area dust blowing and air curtain creation.

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Threadlocker

What Is a Threadlocker?

Threadlockers

Threadlocker is an adhesive designed to prevent the loosening of threaded components, such as screws, in applications ranging from household furniture to industrial machinery. By filling the gaps between threads and solidifying, threadlockers enhance the airtightness of threaded connections and mitigate leakage, especially in die-cast parts where porosity can lead to oil leakage.

Uses of Threadlockers

Threadlockers are utilized across various sectors to secure connections that are susceptible to loosening due to vibration or rotational forces. They are particularly valuable in improving the airtightness of threaded assemblies and preventing leakage in die-cast components with inherent porosity.

Principle of Threadlockers

By penetrating the space between the male and female threads and curing, threadlockers create a bond that resists rotational forces, effectively preventing loosening. Although they bond threads together, threadlockers are designed to allow disassembly when necessary, balancing adhesive strength with removability. Most threadlockers are anaerobic adhesives, curing in the absence of air.

Other Information on Threadlockers

Screw loosening can result from rotational or non-rotational forces. Threadlockers address rotational loosening by countering the tendency of screws to unwind under external stress. Non-rotational loosening, on the other hand, involves a reduction in the axial force of a screw due to wear, sinking of mating parts, or creep from prolonged stress or heat. In such cases, addressing the underlying causes of stress or deformation is crucial to prevent loosening.

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Rubber Magnet

What Is a Rubber Magnet?

Rubber Magnets

Rubber magnets are made by embedding magnetic material into a flexible rubber substrate, offering a unique combination of magnetic properties and flexibility. This versatility allows them to adhere to various surfaces without causing damage, making them ideal for lightweight applications and adaptable to non-flat surfaces due to their malleability and lightweight. However, their durability is somewhat less than that of traditional magnets, with excessive bending or stretching likely to cause damage.

Uses for Rubber Magnets

Rubber magnets are highly versatile, finding applications in daily life for holding items on refrigerators, as beginner driving markers, in advertising as promotional items, within factories for displaying information, and in educational settings for classroom instruction. Their ease of processing and low magnetic force make them well-suited for these varied applications.

Principle of Rubber Magnets

The operation of rubber magnets is grounded in the magnetic properties of the materials they contain, such as ferrite or neodymium. These materials, mixed into a rubber or plastic base, allow the magnets to maintain a magnetic field. Rubber magnets are flexible and easy to cut and shape, offering a practical solution for various magnetic needs.

Types of Rubber Magnets

Rubber magnets are categorized into ferrite and neodymium types, with ferrite magnets being more cost-effective but less powerful than their neodymium counterparts, which offer a stronger magnetic force suitable for securing heavier objects or applications requiring a strong magnetic hold.

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Concealed Hinge

What Is a Concealed Hinge?

A concealed hinge, also known as a sliding hinge, is designed to be hidden from the front view of a door, either placed at the back or integrated within the door panels. This type of hinge is often used in furniture and door designs to achieve a sleek, hardware-free appearance.

Applications of Concealed Hinges

Commonly found in cubicles, control panels, server racks, and power distribution panels, concealed hinges enhance both the design and security of these structures. They support the weight of doors and panels while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Variants like “extra-heavy-duty concealed hinges” are available for more substantial loads.

Design and Functionality of Concealed Hinges

Concealed hinges are typically multi-axial, allowing for three-dimensional adjustments, a standard in modern fittings. Unlike slide hinges that protrude inward and can obstruct storage space, concealed hinges are installed by embedding them into the door, preserving interior space. The positioning of these hinges is critical to ensure that doors open fully without interference with side panels.

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Diamond Dresser

What Is a Diamond Dresser?

Diamond Dressers

A diamond dresser is a tool that employs diamonds for dressing grinding wheels. Diamonds, known for their exceptional hardness, are ideal for cutting and processing metals and ores. Other typical machines include diamond cutters and diamond drills. They are used to sharpen dulled grinding wheels, restoring their efficiency.

Applications of Diamond Dressers

Diamond dressers are primarily used for rejuvenating grinding wheels. Over time, grinding wheels can wear out or become clogged with abrasive grains. Diamonds are also used in the forming process of grinding wheels. The use of diamonds allows for the efficient removal of these grains and the creation of new sharp edges. These tools are also instrumental in shaping grinding wheels into various forms, thanks to the hardness of diamonds.

Principles of Diamond Dressers

  • Single Diamond Dressers: These dressers use a single diamond attached to the tip, allowing for precision dressing. The dressing outcome significantly depends on the user’s skill and the angle of the diamond.
  • Multi-Diamond Dressers: These dressers utilize multiple diamonds, either in a single layer or several layers. They are more cost-effective than single-stone dressers, which require specific-sized diamonds.
  • Rotating Diamond Dressers: These are rotating dressers with diamonds embedded on the exterior. They are used for internal polishing or dressing gear systems.
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Diaphragm

What Is a Diaphragm?

Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a critical component in both industrial and medical applications, utilized in sensors, valves, pumps, and other machinery. Typically, rubber is used for the flexible parts, while fluoroplastic is preferred for parts in contact with fluids.

Diaphragms operate under various motive forces, including electricity, air, or hydraulic pressure, and their elasticity allows them to be effective in pressure sensing and providing seals.

Uses of Diaphragms

1. Pumps

Diaphragms in pumps isolate and seal moving liquids, handling chemicals and agents with durability thanks to materials like rubber and fluoroplastics.

2. Valves

In the pharmaceutical, food, and medicine industries, diaphragm valves control liquid flow precisely, enhancing valve operation.

3. Gas Control

For high-purity gas handling and precise pressure control, diaphragms offer rapid responsiveness and precision in industrial applications.

4. Electrical and Electronics Industries

Leveraging their high electrical insulation, diaphragms are integral in manufacturing components such as connectors, switches, and sensors, and controlling devices like vacuum pumps.

Principle of Diaphragms

Diaphragm pumps utilize air or electricity to move the diaphragm, creating suction and pumping action, albeit with pulsation. Diaphragm valves, featuring a diaphragm in the flow path, use handle rotation to extend the diaphragm and control flow, offering low fluid resistance. Differential pressure level gauges convert diaphragm deformation under pressure into electrical signals for liquid level measurement.

Types of Diaphragms

1. Rubber Diaphragm

Common in pump and valve control, rubber diaphragms offer flexibility, durability, and long service life due to their resistance to friction and vibration.

2. Metal Diaphragm

Used in harsh environments, metal diaphragms are prized in the chemical, oil and gas, and aerospace industries for their durability and precision.

3. Plastic Diaphragm

Lightweight and chemically resistant, plastic diaphragms are essential in the pharmaceutical, food industries, and water treatment, also providing electrical insulation.

4. Fluoroplastic Diaphragm

For handling corrosive chemicals, fluoroplastic diaphragms are ideal, offering chemical and temperature resistance, used extensively in chemical plants and the semiconductor industry.

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Electric Blower

What Is an Electric Blower?

Electric Blowers

An electric blower is a device powered by an electric motor that draws in air, accelerates, and directs it outward. The generation of wind is facilitated by the rotation of fan blades. The electric motor enables precise control over the blower’s speed and volume, with many models featuring adjustable settings to modulate wind intensity for varying conditions and preferences.

Differentiation between fans, blowers, and compressors is based on airflow pressure; fans operate below 10 kPa, blowers between 10 kPa and 100 kPa, and devices above 100 kPa are considered compressors.

Uses of Electric Blowers

Electric blowers serve multiple roles across various sectors:

1. Industrial Applications

They are essential in factories for cooling machinery and processes, preventing overheating, and ensuring temperature control in industrial furnaces. Additionally, they are vital for ventilating spaces with organic solvent paints, contributing to workplace health and safety.

2. Air Conditioning

During hot weather, electric blowers help lower indoor temperatures and distribute cool air evenly, enhancing the efficiency of air conditioning systems and ensuring comfort.

3. Underground Parking

In underground parking facilities, blowers promote air circulation, drawing in fresh air and expelling stale air to maintain a clean and healthy indoor environment.

4. Drying Applications

Blowers are also used to regulate humidity, aiding in drying laundry by evaporating moisture, thus reducing humidity and preventing mold and moisture-related issues.

Principle of Electric Blowers

The core of an electric blower is its motor, which rotates a shaft connected to fan blades. These blades, designed at specific angles and shapes, draw in air and accelerate it outward. The airflow’s speed and volume are adjustable through the fan blades’ rotation speed and design.

Types of Electric Blowers

Electric blowers are categorized by the fan’s shape and airflow direction:

1. Axial Flow Blower

Axial flow blowers draw air parallel to the fan blades’ axis, pushing air out in the same direction. Ideal for widespread cooling and ventilation, they are frequently used in aircraft cooling and air conditioning systems.

2. Centrifugal Blowers

Centrifugal blowers intake air along the shaft and expel it at a right angle, excelling in situations requiring high-pressure airflow for exhaust, ventilation, and air conditioning applications.

3. Oblique Flow Blower

Combining features of axial and centrifugal blowers, oblique flow blowers direct air at an angle, offering a balance of volume and pressure suitable for various uses, including air conditioning, ventilation, cooling, and exhaust.

医療用洗浄剤

医療用洗浄剤とは

医療用洗浄剤とは、医療現場で使用した器具や装置を再利用するために、洗浄と滅菌に使用する洗剤のことです。

適切な洗浄が行われないままに、医療器具が再利用されると、次の患者が感染症にかかるリスクが増大します。そのため、医療機器の再利用にあたっては医療用洗浄剤を使って正しく洗浄と滅菌をする必要があります。

一般社団法人日本医療機器学会は「医療現場における滅菌保障のガイドライン」を発行していて、このガイドラインの中で医療機器の除菌、洗浄についてのアドバイスを行っています。このガイドラインの中では、「RMD (再生可能医療機器) の適切な再処理は、感染予防に於いて極めて重要な要素である。適切な洗浄は、効果的で効率的な消毒および滅菌の前提諸条件である。」と述べています。

器具の洗浄という観点では、一般の家庭で使われる台所用洗剤が広く知られていますが、医療用洗浄剤と台所用洗剤とでは除去する汚れの対象が異なります。例えば、医療用洗浄剤は、ハサミやメスなどの医療器具に付着した血液や体液に含まれるたんぱく質の汚れが洗浄のターゲットです。

それに対して台所用洗剤は食器に付着した油や炭水化物などの汚れをターゲットとしており、それぞれ洗剤の構成成分が異なります。具体的には、医療用洗浄剤はたんぱく質分解酵素やアルカリ化剤などで構成されていますが、台所用洗剤は界面活性剤を使用しています。従って、台所用洗剤を医療用洗浄剤として使うことは推奨されていません。

医療用洗浄剤の使用用途

医療機器は、再生利用可能医療機器 (英: Reusable Medical Device, RMD) と単回使用医療機器 (英: Single Uses Device, SUD) の2つに分けられます。

医療用洗浄剤は、RMDを再利用するための洗浄剤として使用します。RMDにはメスやハサミのように小さな器具もあれば、内視鏡や人工透析装置のような複雑な装置もあります。

したがって、医療用洗浄剤が洗浄するRMDは大きさや形状、構成部品の材質など様々であり、医療用洗浄剤の種類もさまざまです。

医療用洗浄剤の原理

医療用洗浄剤は、洗浄対象となるRMDと除去すべき汚れの2つに注目し、最適な洗浄剤と洗浄方法、洗浄条件を組み合わせることにより、必要な洗浄や滅菌効果を確保します。医療用洗浄剤が対象とする汚れには、患者由来の汚れと医療処置由来の汚れがあります。

1. 患者由来の汚れ

患者由来の汚れには、血液、体液、脂肪、骨片などが挙げられます。RMDに血液や体液が付着すると、時間が経つにつれて洗浄が難しくなります。

洗浄までに時間がかかる場合は予備洗浄スプレーを使用して、付着物の乾燥と凝固を防ぎます。脂肪を除去するには、脂肪の溶けやすい40℃から50℃に加温して洗浄するのが効果的です。温度をこれ以上高くすると、たんぱく質分解酵素の働きが弱くなるので、洗浄効果が弱まります。

2. 医療処置由来の汚れ

医療処置由来の汚れには軟膏、接着剤、消毒液、生理食塩水などがあります。また、人工透析の機械では、透析過程で透析液を使います。

この透析液の残存によって装置内部に溜まる炭酸カルシウムスケールの除去も対象となる汚れです。生理食塩水と消毒液は水で洗い流すことができます。

特に、消毒液は、他の医療用洗浄剤を使用するよりも先に水で洗い流しておく必要があります。消毒液が残っていると、医療用洗浄剤の効果が小さくなる危険性があります。

洗浄方法には、人がRMDを手で洗う用手洗浄、RMDを医療用洗浄剤を溶かした溶液に浸しておくだけの浸漬洗浄、超音波洗浄やウォッシャ-ステリライザーという装置を使った洗浄まで、様々です。

医療用洗浄剤の選び方

RMDの洗浄は医療現場での感染症予防の観点から非常に重要で、汚れを完全に取り除く必要があります。その一方で、除去する汚れの種類と、汚れが付着しているRMDの形状、大きさ、材質は様々です。

したがって、それぞれに対応する洗浄方法や洗浄装置もいくつも種類があります。さらに、予備洗浄、本洗浄、後洗浄というように複数の工程に分かれた処置が必要になる場合もあります。このような、複雑な条件で医療用洗浄剤を選択するのは容易ではありません。

医療用洗浄剤の選択に際しては、まずその洗浄がここに掲げたどのような洗浄に該当するか、それぞれの観点から要素分析をして、適切な洗剤を選びます。一般的には、医療用洗浄剤は酵素洗浄剤とアルカリ洗浄剤の2種類です。

酵素洗浄剤は皮膚に対する刺激が弱いので、用手洗浄、浸漬洗浄で使用されます。アルカリ洗浄剤は、酵素洗浄剤よりも高い洗浄力があります。しかし、皮膚に対する刺激が強いので、洗浄装置用の洗浄剤として使われます。洗浄装置によっては、洗浄装置メーカーからその装置用の洗浄液が供給される場合もあります。
 
いずれも、新たに医療用洗浄剤を選択する際は、メーカーのホームページで洗剤の仕様を確認するなど、慎重に検討することが大切です。

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Urethane Tubing

What Is Urethane Tubing?

Urethane Tubing

Urethane tubing, known for its pressure resistance, flexibility, and ease of handling, is extensively used across various industries. It is commonly used for transporting air and water. Available in translucent, white, and black, it also comes in vibrant colors like green, blue, and red, with a range of tube diameters.

Specialized types include conductive urethane tubing for anti-static measures, oil- and weather-resistant tubing, and an even more flexible variant known as soft urethane tubing.

Uses of Urethane Tubing

Its applications span from general pneumatic piping to cooling water piping. Pneumatic piping utilizes urethane tubing for air control in panels, machines, and vacuum systems. It’s also employed in tubing for assembly equipment, semiconductor processing, scientific instruments, and pesticide spraying via drones. Due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of processing, it’s utilized in coiling and welding processes, with one-touch connections made possible through dedicated fittings.

Principle of Urethane Tubing

Urethane tubing’s flexibility makes it a preferred choice for general piping needs. It remains durable with minimal mold growth or deterioration, even in humid conditions. Available in soft, rigid, and semi-rigid materials, it primarily uses ether-based polyurethane resins. Soft urethane offers the most flexibility, whereas rigid urethane provides a slightly firmer structure, both softer than nylon tubing. However, its temperature tolerance is generally low, around 60°C, with heat-resistant variants only withstanding up to 80°C. For high-pressure applications, nylon tubing is recommended, while Teflon tubing is advised for chemical resistance, noting that urethane tubing is produced through extrusion molding.

Types of Urethane Tubing

1. Breathable Urethane Tubing

This type allows air and gases to pass through, making it ideal for air brake systems, air filters, and exhaust systems, especially in automotive applications for engine exhaust and brake operation control.

2. Pressure-Resistant Urethane Tubing

Enhanced for high-pressure resistance, this tubing is used in hydraulic systems, air conditioning, and liquid supply systems, as well as in transportation equipment like aircraft and automobiles for reliable high-pressure liquid transport.

3. Abrasion-Resistant Urethane Tubing

Designed for high abrasion resistance, this tubing withstands friction and wear, suitable for conveyor belts, slurry pipes, and grinding equipment, particularly in mining and construction where durability is crucial.

4. Heat-Resistant Urethane Tubing

Made for high-temperature environments, it’s used in engine parts, heater systems, and hot-air blowers, maintaining properties under high temperatures. Its electrical insulation and chemical resistance make it fit for electrical components and the chemical and medical industries.

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Parting Agent

What Is a Parting Agent?

Parting agents facilitate the removal of old paint, coatings, resins, and adhesives from metal, glass, and plastic surfaces. Traditionally, methylene chloride-based agents were common, but there has been a shift towards environmentally friendly, non-chlorinated alternatives.

Uses of Parting Agents

They are essential in preventing uneven painting, peeling, and cracking when applying new coatings. Choices between water-based, solvent-based, and methylene chloride-based agents depend on material compatibility, the extent of removal, and the process involved. Given its harmful effects on health and the environment, methylene chloride requires careful handling.

Principle of Parting Agents

Parting agents alter the adhesion properties of coatings, facilitating their removal. The effectiveness varies with the solvent type:

1. Methylene Chloride Type

Characterized by its high permeability, this type softens paint films for removal, especially useful for steel surfaces prone to rust. Available in neutral, acidic, and alkaline variants, it complies with industrial safety and environmental regulations.

2. Non-chlorinated Type

These agents dissolve and remove the coating. While suitable for removing cured adhesives and resin-based films, their pungent odor and high viscosity make them less ideal for detailed cleaning and slow to dry. They are also regulated under fire safety laws.

Other Information on Parting Agents

1. How to Use Parting Agents

Immersion: Submerge the coated material in a tank filled with a parting agent for comprehensive removal. Techniques like electro-stripping can speed up the process, though the solution requires periodic renewal to remove impurities.

Spray Application: Spraying the agent can be uneven and risks contaminating unintended areas. Automation helps, but the manual application still presents challenges.

Direct Application: Brush application allows for selective and economical use, requiring minimal quantities.

2. Application in the Medical Field

In medical contexts, parting agents assist in managing prosthetics like artificial anus or bladder devices, ensuring a tight seal against the skin to prevent odor leakage. These medical-grade agents prioritize ingredients that are gentle on the skin, offering options from odorless to scented varieties. Their formulation, often silicone-based and sometimes alcohol-free, minimizes skin irritation. Designed for convenience and ease of use, they cater to both individual and caregiver needs, emphasizing functionality and portability.