About Insulation Machine Airlocks
The airlock (D) is probably the most important part of a high production insulation machine. The larger the airlock, the more production. Other factors contribute to production (i.e., force feeding augers, hose size), but the airlock is key and should be one of the key elements in your decision making.
The diagram above illustrates a machine conditioning insulation material in the proprietary Cool Machine brand. Our scalping augers (A) force the material into the shredders (B) where the material is conditioned to provide a bridging-free hopper. The material drops into the airlock for further conditioning. The larger the airlock, the more material. That is how production is increased. When spraying attics, the airlock slide-gate (E) is usually opened to its largest setting allowing material to freely flow into the airlock.
The slide-gate allows the operator to control the amount of material being delivered. When dense-packing walls, you will close the gate leaving about 4” of access to the airlock. That way, the material will not clog the smaller diameter hose required for dense pack.
The Cool Machine airlock is a perfect cylinder. With high-grade belting material, the airlocks create high pressure minimizing air loss. Every Cool Machine is outfitted with an external gauge so you can view the PSI being delivered to achieve your desired pressure.
The CM1500, CM2400, CM3000XL, CM3500XL, CM4500XL can be outfitted with multiple blowers (C) or a large positive displacement blower. This DOES NOT increase production as the same amount of material falls into the airlock. However, if you are doing wall spray, need an internal wetting system or want to go further length on your hose, the multiple blowers are important to increase the velocity of air pushing the material.
In summary, the Cool Machine brand offers a proprietary system that increases production:
- Scalping augers which force-feed the airlock.
- Larger airlocks
- Perfectly sealed airlocks to sustain greater PSI