In an industry where safety and efficiency are everything, Martin Engineering has just raised the bar. The global leader in bulk material flow technology has introduced a new solution designed to revolutionize how air cannons are mounted and maintained: the Martin X-Stand.
Built to tackle the challenges of heat, hazard, and hard-to-reach installations, the X-Stand offers safer access, tidier workspaces, and smarter system layouts — all while reducing downtime and operating costs.
A Smarter Way to Mount Air Cannons
Traditionally, air cannons are mounted directly next to preheaters, hoppers, or drop chutes — often in high-temperature zones that are tough for maintenance crews to reach. The X-Stand changes the game by allowing air cannons to be mounted at a safer distance, in more accessible and organized positions.
“We designed the X-Stand in direct response to customer challenges,” said Sid Dev, Martin’s Air Cannon Product Manager. “What started as a safety upgrade quickly turned into a smarter, more efficient way to manage air cannons — and it’s already paying off.”
Built for Strength and Flexibility
The X-Stand is a heavy-duty steel cube frame, available in three sizes to accommodate 35L, 70L, and 150L air cannon tanks — including Martin’s own Hurricane and Typhoon models. The largest frame measures 36x36x36 inches (91.5×91.5×91.5 cm) and weighs roughly 175 lbs (80 kg).
Each frame is built to absorb vibration and distribute the cannon’s firing energy evenly. A top access hole allows easy servicing of valves and connections, while open sides provide full visibility and room to maneuver. There’s even space to mount a solenoid box on the side for easy control access.
The units are designed to be stacked and arranged in multiple configurations to maximize space, minimize hazards, and fit any facility layout. And yes — they come fully assembled, with all bolts and hardware included. Just use standard tools, and you’re good to go.
Air Cannons: Powerful and Proven
If you’re in the business of moving bulk material, you already know air cannons are indispensable. They blast away buildup inside preheaters, silos, hoppers, and chutes — keeping material flowing and systems running without having to send workers into hazardous areas.
Each cannon stores compressed air in a 35L–150L tank, releasing it in a powerful burst triggered from up to 200 feet away. The air blast breaks up clogs and prevents hang-ups, reducing downtime and keeping productivity high.
Why the X-Stand Is a Game-Changer
Until now, cannon installations often created clutter and safety risks. Tanks could jut into walkways, block access points, or sit dangerously close to hot equipment. That’s where the X-Stand shines — offering a way to relocate cannons away from dangerous zones while still maintaining their effectiveness.
“We found that moving the air cannon even a few feet away from the vessel caused almost no loss in performance,” Dev explained. “At most, you lose around 5% power per pipe elbow — a small trade-off for much better safety and access.”
By redirecting pipes under or over walkways and organizing tanks into accessible racks, the X-Stand ensures safe, obstacle-free zones for workers — especially important when carrying tools or heavy parts.
Real-World Wins from Field Testing
In real-life plant tests, the X-Stand has already proven its worth:
- At a cement plant, relocating air cannons away from a superheated kiln wall dramatically improved maintenance conditions and cut service time to just 5–15 minutes per nozzle change.
- At a steel mill, X-Stands allowed cannons to be moved away from inspection doors, giving teams better access and safer working conditions without compromising performance.
- At a bulk material facility, engineers rerouted air cannon piping beneath walkways using upward-facing valves. The result? An unobstructed platform and faster, safer maintenance access.
A Cleaner, Safer Future for Bulk Material Handling
Operators involved in testing praised the X-Stand’s tidy, organized design — noting how it transformed congested areas into clean, efficient workspaces without sacrificing cannon power.
“Martin Engineering listens closely to what customers need,” Dev said. “The X-Stand is a direct result of that feedback. It’s one more step toward making bulk handling operations cleaner, safer, and more efficient.”
