Axial panel fan

What is an axial panel fan?

An axial panel fan conveys air along the axis of the motor – i.e., parallel to the rotor shaft. This design allows for space-saving integration into devices and systems. The air flows in axially and also leaves the fan axially,creating uniform airflowwith high volume output at comparatively low pressure.

Axial panel fans have a large impingement area and a low installation depth. They are ideal for applications where a large volume of air must be moved at low back pressure. Depending on the series, the impellers are made of metal or glass-fiber reinforced plastic and are optimized for aerodynamics.

How does an axial panel fan work?

Axial panel fans draw air in along the motor axis and expel it again in the same direction. This air movement is created by rotating blades that supply energy to the flowing medium and accelerate it. The fans usually require an air duct system but can also be operated without a housing, lowering their power consumption by 10–15%*.

The power consumption is lowest when axial panel fans run without counterpressure (free blowing). The energy use increases with increasing counterpressure. For efficient operation, sufficient space is required in front of and behind the fan so that the air can flow in and out optimally.

The airflow: How air is moved

Axial panel fans move air parallel to the rotor axis. This makes them great for applications where high air volumes and low pressure are required. Their design and low noise level make them ideal for use in heat exchangers, air conditioners, and electronics cooling.

By comparison, centrifugal fans draw air in parallel to the shaft, deflect it by 90° in the impeller, and blow it out radially. They generate higher pressure and are therefore better suited for applications with high counterpressure, such as air conditioning units or industrial air ducting systems.

What the Tech:
How is an industrial fan constructed?

How is an axial panel fan constructed?

Impeller:

The impeller is equipped with flow-optimized blades that supply energy to the airflow and accelerate it. Depending on the series, materials such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (lightweight, corrosion resistant, and flexible), aluminum (robust and durable with good corrosion resistance), or sheet steel (particularly resistant) are used. The choice of material influences the mechanical stability, the noise behavior, energy efficiency, and service life of the fan.

Motor:

The motor is usually an external rotor motor in which the rotor rotates around the stationary stator. This design allows for a compact construction, as the impeller is mounted directly on the rotor.

Housing:

The housing – often in the form of a wall ring or nozzle – serves the targeted air duct design and has a significant influence on efficiency and noise generation. Variants such as full nozzles, short nozzles, or double flanges allow flexible integration into different applications.

What are the advantages of an axial panel fan?

Axial panel fans have many technical and functional advantages that make them the preferred solution in numerous applications:

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about axial panel fans

The airflow direction is indicated by looking at the rotor end face: "A" means air comes toward you, "V" means air moves away from you.

Depending on the series, the impeller could be made from aluminum, glass-fiber reinforced plastic, or metal. The material is chosen based on the requirements of the respective application.

The energy requirement increases with increasing counterpressure. Without counterpressure (free blowing), the power consumption is lowest.

In technical terminology, the terms "axial panel fan" and "axial compact fan" are often used synonymously. Both refer to devices that convey air along the motor axis. However, the term "axial panel fan" is preferred in an industrial context, especially for larger sizes, higher performance requirements, and more complex system solutions. "Axial compact fan," on the other hand, is more commonly found in the field of electronics cooling or in smaller devices. Technically speaking, there is no fundamental difference in how they work – it is more a matter of terminology depending on the area of application and performance range.

Both move air axially. “Axial fan” is mostly used in an industrial context, while “axial blower” is more commonly used for smaller devices or electronics cooling. The difference lies primarily in the application and performance size.

Thanks to flow-optimized geometry and optional diffusers such as AxiTop, axial fans are particularly quiet. Depending on the size and application, noise reductions of up to 7.2 dB(A) are possible.

The service life depends on the operating conditions and maintenance. High-quality models with EC technology and robust materials achieve operating times of over 50,000 hours.

“Free blowing” describes operation without back pressure – i.e. without downstream components such as heat exchangers or filters. In this state, power consumption is at its lowest, but the air delivery rate is not at its maximum.

A diffuser such as the AxiTop improves efficiency, reduces noise, and increases the air delivery rate. It converts kinetic energy into static pressure and minimizes outlet losses.

For optimal operation, there must be sufficient space in front of and behind the fan. Unfavorable installation conditions can cause flow losses and significantly reduce performance