Maxson Automatic Machinery Co., (Westerly, Rhode Island), offers the Airfoil Overlap System, a patented design that utilizes the principles of fluid mechanics to achieve safe, reliable jam free performance at the point of overlap on high speed sheeting applications. The device can increase speeds at the point of overlap by 200 fpm (60 mpm).
Constant streams of pressurized air (75 psi or 7 kPa) from the Airfoil’s manifold, flow over the stainless steel doctor board plate and up the curved profile of the Airfoil’s tail. As the air washes across the surface of the plate, a vacuum is created pulling the trailing edge of the sheet packet down. The air is then directed perpendicular to the flow of the oncoming sheet, blowing the leading edge up.
The use of fluid mechanics rather than mechanical components in overlapping sheets reduces the possibility of marking the sheet packet, ongoing maintenance requirements and static build up. Its compact design permits it to be easily retrofitted to sheeters.
