Coating Control Air Knife


Precise Non-Contact Coating Control Air Knife
Low-maintenance solution for improved coating quality and faster drying
Sonic's Coating Control Air Knife Systems offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for continuous coating control. Achieve optimum coating thickness at higher speeds for conveyor widths of 1" to 192" (2.5 to 487 cm) without compromising liquid viscosity. Sonic's adjustable and non-contact air knife systems eliminate the need for squeegee rolls and scraper blades, reducing maintenance costs and delivering clean, dry, and oil/dirt-free air for improved coating quality and faster drying process. A Sonic 10 HP (7.5 kW) blower can replace up to 40 HP (30 kW) of compressed air for a typical 48" (122 cm) wide with efficient designs for coating thickness and continuous coating drying. Sonic can also incorporate heated air knife air into the system, utilizing natural heat rise through air compression or pulling heat from ovens. Customizable options are available to meet specific requirements. Sonic provides tailored solutions to various industries, optimizing energy consumption and reducing the size and complexity of traditional methods.
Achieve Precise Coating Control with High-Velocity Airflow
The Coating Control Air Knife by Sonic Air Systems is a high-precision machine designed to regulate and refine coating processes and applications across various industries. By delivering a uniform, high-velocity air stream, this system ensures even coating thickness, minimizes waste, and enhances production efficiency. It is widely used in industries such as printing, textiles, food processing, and industrial manufacturing, where precise coating application is critical for product performance and quality.
Engineered for Excellence in Every Application
- Precision Coating Control: The air knife delivers an even, high-speed airflow that produces precise coating thickness across surfaces, eliminating inconsistencies.
- Non-Contact Operation: Unlike traditional methods, the Coating Control Air Knife machine does not physically touch the material, reducing wear and tear while maintaining coating integrity.
- Adjustable Airflow for Versatility: Operators can fine-tune the air velocity and pressure to accommodate different coating viscosities and application requirements.
- Wide Conveyor Compatibility: Designed to fit conveyor widths from 1 inch to 192 inches (2.5 to 487.7 cm), this system adapts to both small and large-scale production lines.
- Stainless Steel Construction: Built with durable stainless steel, the system is resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh industrial environments.
- Seamless Integration with Existing Systems: The Coating Control Air Knife easily integrates with existing coating and drying systems, making installation simple and cost-effective.
- Consistent Product Quality: Ensures uniform coating thickness, reducing defects and maintaining product consistency across large production batches.
- Lower Material Waste: By precisely controlling the air knife coating process, this system minimizes excess material usage, which leads to cost savings.
- Reduced Maintenance and Downtime: The non-contact design eliminates mechanical wear, lowers maintenance costs, and reduces production downtime.
- Improved Production Speed: Faster drying times and efficient coating removal increase overall production efficiency without compromising quality.
- Enhanced Adhesion Performance: By removing excess material, the system helps coatings adhere more effectively to surfaces, improving final product durability.
- Cost-Effective Operation: The system reduces both energy consumption and material waste, making it a cost-efficient solution for high-volume production.
How to Select the Right Industrial Diverter Valve
Determining the best valve for your system depends on balancing air volume, pressure, and material characteristics. When these factors align, you achieve smoother performance, higher efficiency, and long-term reliability. The ideal configuration not only maintains consistent airflow and minimizes pressure loss but also enhances energy efficiency across continuous production cycles.
Common Types of Diverter Valves
- Flap Type Diverter: Simple, cost-effective valve ideal for low- to medium-pressure systems handling powders, pellets, or airflows requiring gentle redirection.
- Plug (Rotor) Diverter: Designed for continuous-duty applications, offering smooth switching between lines with minimal leakage.
Slide or Slideflex Diverter: Provides fast, tight-sealing transitions for high-pressure or high-temperature processes where precision airflow management is essential.
Key Technical Considerations
When specifying an industrial air diverter valve, consider the following engineering factors to ensure long-term reliability:
- Material Compatibility: Choose materials suited to your process—aluminum for lightweight efficiency, stainless steel for hygienic or corrosive environments, or coated alloys for chemical resistance.
- Actuation & Automation: Sonic offers manual, pneumatic, or automated actuation to integrate with PLC or sensor-driven systems for instant airflow control.
Sealing & Maintenance: Valves are designed with precision-fit components and replaceable seals to maintain efficiency and reduce downtime during maintenance intervals.
View Case Studies

Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Sonic butterfly valves can operate in conjunction with a VFD for blower speed control; however, they can also function as the sole airflow control device. As a low-cost alternative to a VFD, the butterfly valve allows operators to manually fine-tune air velocity and pressure, setting the optimum airflow level during the initial system setup without relying on expensive electronic controls.
The Sonic Y-Verter™ is a mechanical alternative to Variable Frequency Drive motor controllers traditionally used in blower and air knife systems. It allows rapid, reliable airflow redirection between system branches without changing motor speed, reducing complexity and maintenance requirements compared to VFD-based systems.
A Y-Verter™ is particularly effective when using standard 3,600 RPM, 60 Hz motors where air control needs can be met through mechanical redirection rather than motor speed modulation. While certain high-speed blower motors (up to 20,000 RPM) may require VFDs with output frequencies up to 330 Hz, many air knife applications can achieve equal or better airflow management with the simpler, more durable Y-Verter™ system.
Yes. They can be integrated with most industrial blowers or pneumatic systems, and custom configurations are available for unique operating conditions.
Coating Control Air Knife

Precise Non-Contact Coating Control Air Knife
Low-maintenance solution for improved coating quality and faster drying
Sonic's Coating Control Air Knife Systems offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for continuous coating control. Achieve optimum coating thickness at higher speeds for conveyor widths of 1" to 192" (2.5 to 487 cm) without compromising liquid viscosity. Sonic's adjustable and non-contact air knife systems eliminate the need for squeegee rolls and scraper blades, reducing maintenance costs and delivering clean, dry, and oil/dirt-free air for improved coating quality and faster drying process. A Sonic 10 HP (7.5 kW) blower can replace up to 40 HP (30 kW) of compressed air for a typical 48" (122 cm) wide with efficient designs for coating thickness and continuous coating drying. Sonic can also incorporate heated air knife air into the system, utilizing natural heat rise through air compression or pulling heat from ovens. Customizable options are available to meet specific requirements. Sonic provides tailored solutions to various industries, optimizing energy consumption and reducing the size and complexity of traditional methods.

Achieve Precise Coating Control with High-Velocity Airflow
The Coating Control Air Knife by Sonic Air Systems is a high-precision machine designed to regulate and refine coating processes and applications across various industries. By delivering a uniform, high-velocity air stream, this system ensures even coating thickness, minimizes waste, and enhances production efficiency. It is widely used in industries such as printing, textiles, food processing, and industrial manufacturing, where precise coating application is critical for product performance and quality.










