Star Highspeed Handpiece - Cause and Cure of Excessive Air Escaping From The Back Cap
Are you noticing a lot of air escaping from around the back cap of your star highspeed handpiece? This problem develops specifically with the star sw series (with the quick connect (swivel) back ends).
If you are experiencing this problem, look into the back end of your handpiece (where it connects to the quick connect).
It should be shiny and brass colored in appearance.
If it has turned black, it is a pretty good indicator the exhaust ports have become clogged.
Clogged exhausts ports result in a tremendous amount of back pressure.
The end result is:
The path of least resistance is through the back cap, and that is why the leakage is so much greater there than normal.
To understand the potential damage that can be caused, think about this: just 32 pounds per square inch, or less, of air pressure in your tires supports the weight of your car (and you are running your star highspeed handpieces at 32-42 psi).
If the back caps were airtight, the clogs would result first, in the internal lines rupturing inside the handpiece.
Then it would pop off the quick connect and be propelled across the operatory like a very large bullet.
Even so, it is generally preventable.
These ports on the star highspeed handpiece should be thoroughly cleaned & flushed each time the handpiece is repaired, regardless of the state of appearance of the back end.
It should be considered a preventative maintenance routine that is included with the repair.
The procedures used to clean these ports are rather straightforward and simple to do.
While it is not labor intensive, it is time intensive.
It can take repetitive, timed applications over a period of several hours when working with star highspeed handpieces that have severe clogs.
Generally, it is not something recommended to be done in-house.
Instead, check with your handpiece repair company to see if this is an included procedure for the star highspeed handpiece.
If it isn't, maybe it's time to change handpiece repair companies.
If you are experiencing this problem, look into the back end of your handpiece (where it connects to the quick connect).
It should be shiny and brass colored in appearance.
If it has turned black, it is a pretty good indicator the exhaust ports have become clogged.
Clogged exhausts ports result in a tremendous amount of back pressure.
The end result is:
- slower operating speeds
- stalls during procedures
- loss of torque
- premature bearing failure
The path of least resistance is through the back cap, and that is why the leakage is so much greater there than normal.
To understand the potential damage that can be caused, think about this: just 32 pounds per square inch, or less, of air pressure in your tires supports the weight of your car (and you are running your star highspeed handpieces at 32-42 psi).
If the back caps were airtight, the clogs would result first, in the internal lines rupturing inside the handpiece.
Then it would pop off the quick connect and be propelled across the operatory like a very large bullet.
a build up of debris and airborne contaminates is generally the source of the problem and one in which you or your assistants would have very little control over."an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
Even so, it is generally preventable.
These ports on the star highspeed handpiece should be thoroughly cleaned & flushed each time the handpiece is repaired, regardless of the state of appearance of the back end.
It should be considered a preventative maintenance routine that is included with the repair.
The procedures used to clean these ports are rather straightforward and simple to do.
While it is not labor intensive, it is time intensive.
It can take repetitive, timed applications over a period of several hours when working with star highspeed handpieces that have severe clogs.
Generally, it is not something recommended to be done in-house.
Instead, check with your handpiece repair company to see if this is an included procedure for the star highspeed handpiece.
If it isn't, maybe it's time to change handpiece repair companies.
