Ron D.R. Laing's Unconventional K&N Air Filter Application Befits Canada's NASG

The conveyorized belt parts washer's effectiveness was greatly improved after adding an E-1650 air filter.
The conveyorized belt parts washer's effectiveness was greatly improved after adding an E-1650 air filter.
"I'm a diehard gear head/car guy, and I run a small performance shop at night named Laing Speed & Performance," Ron D.R. Laing confirmed. Laing's nocturnal automotive pastime and resourcefulness recently crossed over into his fulltime day job, where it's now paying huge dividends. Laing is the Manufacturing Engineering Manager for North American Stamping Group, Inc. in Woodstock, Ontario. NASG produces metal components for the automotive industry.
Ron D.R. Laing unconventional use of a K&N air filter has reduced maintenance and improved the life of their washer/blower system by more than 50%.
Ron D.R. Laing unconventional use of a K&N air filter has reduced maintenance and improved the life of their washer/blower system by more than 50%.


"Our product focus includes both light, and heavy gauge exhaust, seat components, as well as specialized sub-assemblies. Unique innovations such as our in-die welding technology and in-die tapping have given us a competitive advantage in high volume applications. To that end, we recently installed an automated, conveyorized belt parts washer," Laing explains.

"The machine was manufactured by Alliance Manufacturing in Wisconsin. We use the wash system to clean our stamped components that we produce here. During the metal forming (stamping) process the parts receive a film of lube for forming, this film isn't always accepted by our customers, based on end product use, therefore they are clean/washed prior to shipment. It's basically a hot water pressure wash and high heat drying system all integrated with a conveyor system."

During the installation of the washer system Laing noticed the blower inlet for the radiant heater only had a metal guard covering it without any air filtration system in place. "The environment within our manufacturing facility is not completely dust free, and I had requested the vendor supply a filtration system to address this concern. After receiving a quote for a very large amount of money, I chose to solve the issue myself," Laing said.
Laing simple air filtration solution was inspired by the air filter on his 1968 Roadrunner.
Laing simple air filtration solution was inspired by the air filter on his 1968 Roadrunner.


Laing's ingeniously simple solution was to use the K&N air filter from his 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner. "We used the filter and lid off of my car to 'mock-up' the system and ensure the idea would work. When we installed the 14"x3" round filter (E-1650) and the X-Stream top (66-1401) we discovered that the systems were all working very well."

"We complete a regular monthly clean and service on the filter and the amount of debris held back by the filter system is impressive. By using the filter system we are greatly reducing maintenance and improving the life of the blower system by more than 50%," adds Laing.

Laing and his crew are in fact so pleased with the K&N air filter's effectiveness, that he took the time to forward his "upgrade" air filtration solution to the manufacture of the wash cell, and asked them to consider this as a new standard they should include with their equipment.

"Thank you K&N for creating such a superior product that can be used on many applications outside of automotive."
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