Jul 06, 2011 
Virtual Industries, Inc., a leading supplier of ESD-safe manual vacuum handling solutions, introduces its VIR-STATTM line of air ionizers for eliminating static charges in ESD-sensitive assembly areas.
The VIR-STAT air-ionizers are available in various configurations, with prices starting at $495.78. There are two bench top units that direct ionized air to the workspace directly in front of an assembler. One unit has an RS485 port for data collection, while the other does not. Overhead ionizing units are available for controlling larger areas.
In addition to protecting ESD-sensitive components, air ionization reduces “stiction” when handling extremely small insulative components. Stiction occurs when two surfaces with areas below the micrometer range come into close contact, such as a small part probe and the part being handled. The part sticks to the probe and will not release. Ionizing the air neutralizes the static charge and associated stiction.
Founded in 1987, Virtual Industries Inc. is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. For more than 20 years, Virtual Industries has been a leading supplier of manual vacuum handling solutions to the world’s high-technology firms. The company’s patented ESD-safe products are used by CLASS I clean room personnel, electronics assemblers, semiconductor manufacturers, Universities and scientists globally. Virtual Industries’ success has come from developing innovative manual vacuum handling tools and pick-up tips based on customer requests and customer feed back. These tools provide customer specific solutions that make assembly and processing operations more productive and ergonomic.
