ORLANDO, FLA. — Incorporating a new parabolic tower design, Dri-Air Industries Inc. rolled out its new E-Plus series of dryers at NPE 2015 in Orlando.
“We did the tower fatter and shorter for better efficiency. When you do that, you get good air flow,” said Charles Sears, president of Dri-Air, while showing off his newest creation.
The dryer system has the hopper encased in a tower design, and Sears noted that it uses 50 percent less energy. The setup means that the hopper is better insulated and there is only one small tube at the top.
Sears said that he came up with the idea about five years ago and it underwent various testing and is finally ready for the latest NPE. The E-Plus he said stands for “energy-plus.”
The plus feature came about because it is a closed system and contains a laser sensor. Details are displayed on a touch screen which can be viewed from 20 feet or more. It is a standard feature.
The screen is uncluttered, offering a quick look at stats, an ability to set the temperature and an on-off switch. Percentages and actual weight are now in digital form.
“Can a guy at 3 o'clock in the morning set up the machine the way it has to be set up?” said Sears, explaining the logic driving the screen display.
More information can be accessed if needed, and the control can be accessed from a smart phone, tablet or other portable device.
The cleanout is simple. There is a takeout box inside that you just remove. A spring-loaded slide gate keeps the material inside.
“It's ideal for medical, because you can clean it easy,” he said.
Dryers are offered in three sizes with drying capacities of 25, 50 or 100 pounds an hour. Dri-Air is based in East Windsor, Conn.