Many Thien baffle enthusiasts have been searching for methods & modifications that might improve in the separation of fines/"wood flour". In researching my own build, a possible solution has occurred to me:
In many pictures and videos of Thien separators—especially those that make use of transparent acrylic &/or polycarbonate—very fine sanding flour can be seen 'sticking' to the separator as a result of electrostatic forces. This is hardly surprising, since high velocity particles rubbing against either of these materials is reminiscent of the static experiments many of us did in school, rubbing an acrylic rod with wool in order to demonstrate a negative static charge.
My idea is to exploit the electrostatic properties of these plastics in order to exaggerate this effect and remove a higher percentage of sanding fines during dust extraction.
This could be trialed very easily by temporarily fixing something like a wool buffing wheel to the EXTERIOR of the separator assembly, where it would create an initial negative static charge on the plastic surface.
Theoretically, this would result in MORE of the fines adhering to the inside of the plastic—in turn, creating a small amount of additional turbulence—which might further exaggerate the effect by slowing the cyclonic air path.
Of course, the fines wouldn't be expected to drop through the Thien baffle until the collector and 'static generator' is turned off, at which point the mass would drop under its own weight, or with a gentle tap.
If this worked, it might permit a more versatile dust collection solution, where a conventional Thien baffle is used for coarse material, and where the 'static generator' is employed on the exterior of the otherwise UNMODIFIED Thien separator during tasks like sanding, where a higher quantity of fines is expected.
...Wondering if anyone might be in a position to test this concept properly?
Just a thought. I am most grateful Phil's generous design offering and everyone else's contributions.
In many pictures and videos of Thien separators—especially those that make use of transparent acrylic &/or polycarbonate—very fine sanding flour can be seen 'sticking' to the separator as a result of electrostatic forces. This is hardly surprising, since high velocity particles rubbing against either of these materials is reminiscent of the static experiments many of us did in school, rubbing an acrylic rod with wool in order to demonstrate a negative static charge.
My idea is to exploit the electrostatic properties of these plastics in order to exaggerate this effect and remove a higher percentage of sanding fines during dust extraction.
This could be trialed very easily by temporarily fixing something like a wool buffing wheel to the EXTERIOR of the separator assembly, where it would create an initial negative static charge on the plastic surface.
Theoretically, this would result in MORE of the fines adhering to the inside of the plastic—in turn, creating a small amount of additional turbulence—which might further exaggerate the effect by slowing the cyclonic air path.
Of course, the fines wouldn't be expected to drop through the Thien baffle until the collector and 'static generator' is turned off, at which point the mass would drop under its own weight, or with a gentle tap.
If this worked, it might permit a more versatile dust collection solution, where a conventional Thien baffle is used for coarse material, and where the 'static generator' is employed on the exterior of the otherwise UNMODIFIED Thien separator during tasks like sanding, where a higher quantity of fines is expected.
...Wondering if anyone might be in a position to test this concept properly?
Just a thought. I am most grateful Phil's generous design offering and everyone else's contributions.