Static Eliminator / Static Brush Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DO YOU MANUFACTURE CUSTOM ANTI-STATIC BRUSHES?
WHAT IS STATIC ELECTRICITY?
HOW DOES A STATIC ELIMINATOR BRUSH WORK?
WHAT TYPE OF STATIC REMOVAL BRUSH AND ANTI-STATIC FIBER SHOULD BE SELECTED?
HOW ARE STATIC REMOVAL BRUSHES MOUNTED?
WILL A SINGLE ANTI-STATIC BRUSH REMOVE STATIC CHARGES?
WILL WESTMONT INC'S ANTI-STATIC BRUSHES SCRATCH MY MATERIAL?

DO YOU MANUFACTURE CUSTOM ANTI-STATIC BRUSHES?

Absolutely, Westmont Inc specializes in making custom static elimination brushes for a variety of applications including but not limited to:

· Printers (Ink-Jet, Thermal, Laser)
· Copiers
· Collators
· Stretch wrap equipment
· Packaging equipment
· Fax Machines
· Paper handling machines

For more information on custom static elimination brushes, click the "Custom Brushes" link in the menu.
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WHAT IS STATIC ELECTRICITY?

Static electricity is electricity that is not moving (static). Rubbing or separating of two different materials typically causes it. One of the materials will become positively charged and the other will become negatively charged. Usually, at least one material has high resistively, that is, nonconductive; the charge will remain on the surface of that material.

The static charge may be large enough that it will discharge when it becomes close enough to a grounding point. This electro static discharge (ESD) spark can injure personnel, damage electronic components and sensitive material and cause fires and explosions.

In addition, when two similar charges are near each other they will repel and dissimilar charged materials will attract each other. Because of this attract/repel condition electrostatic charges and ESD will often cause major material handling problems.
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HOW DOES A STATIC ELIMINATOR BRUSH WORK?

When dissimilarly charged materials come together they neutralize each other. The conductive static elimination brush gives the static charge a path to the ground allowing it to be neutralized. When a static charge is generated on a surface (such as plastic film), a properly positioned static elimination brush mounted very close to or touching the film "conducts" the charge off the surface of the film to the ground. The static elimination brush should be mounted in equipment FOLLOWING the location at which the charge generates.
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WHAT TYPE OF STATIC REMOVAL BRUSH AND ANTI-STATIC FIBER SHOULD BE SELECTED?

Westmont provides both stock designs of static removal brushes and custom designed static removal brushes.

First determine the required length for your needs. The brush should cover the entire width of the material that is being discharged. If the web is wider than 48 inches, then just attach more than one on a grounded mounting bar. In most instances, both sides of a film, web, etc. should be discharged using a static removal brush. Discharge from two sides is necessary because the material is usually nonconductive and the charge will not move or conduct to the brush from the opposite side of the web.

Brush anti-static fill material is selected next. Carbon fiber, conductive nylon fiber and stainless steel fiber brushes are all extremely soft and pliable. These fibers cannot scratch or mar most surfaces since they are so soft. All three materials are conductive and can work effectively in most applications. Selection should be based on mounting position and handling of the brushes after mounting.

The carbon fibers are somewhat more 'rigid' and can be broken off if bent past 60-90 degrees. The stainless steel is more resilient but can become snarled together if handled excessively. The conductive nylon is the newest material for static brushes.

All the fibers are available in 8-12 micron diameters except the nylon, which is 45 microns in diameter.

Nylon Fiber is not particularly conductive and does not work as well as the other materials. Nylon also does not like warm temperatures and will become bent over and set after being exposed to warm temperatures.

The final selection is the frame or channel that holds the fibers in place. For rigid static brushes the frame can be constructed of stainless steel, copper or brass. Both narrow channel (flat) and u-shaped channels (to hold more fiber) designs are available.

To speak with an application specialist about your specific situation, call 1-330-862-3080 (outside USA 001-330-862-3080) email us or fill out a request information or sample.
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HOW ARE STATIC REMOVAL BRUSHES MOUNTED?

Static removal brushes are punched, drilled or notched to allow screws to attach the brush. Conductive tapes may also be used but can be somewhat expensive. Each brush must be electrically grounded. This is a key factor in good installation. If the web or area to be static guarded is wider than 48 inches, more than one static removal brush can be affixed to a grounded mounting bar.
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WILL A SINGLE ANTI-STATIC BRUSH REMOVE STATIC CHARGES?

Most likely one brush will not work effectively. There are many things that affect the generation of static. Often, experimentation is the only sure way of determining the number and location of static brushes. Typically, static removal brushes must cover both sides of a sheet, web, etc.

Brushing with a conductive static brush and removing charge on one side of a sheet does not necessarily remove charge on the opposite side. The charge will not pass through the sheet since the material is non-conductive. Also, if the material with the charge is moving against a number of rollers and bars, more than one set of brushes is needed to remove all the charge.
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WILL WESTMONT INC'S BRUSHES SCRATCH MY MATERIAL?

No, Westmont Inc.'s anti-static brushes are made of soft, flexible, carbon, nylon, or stainless steel fibers that have been proven to not scratch or harm material.
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Please call or email us for help designing a system to eliminate static that is right for your application. If you would like to purchase stock dimension static brushes please contact websales@westmontinc.com

For smaller quantities of stock brushes visit McMaster Carr.