Welding is a fun, profitable activity with a large population of professional individuals. It’s an industry that’s essential for the well-being and construction of society. However, it is a dangerous job rife with hazards. Toxic exposure is a huge threat and can damage a welder’s respiratory and nervous systems, so many workshops utilize fume extraction machines as a form of protection. Read on to learn how these devices work.
Negative Draft and Source Capture
Extractors have built-in fans that use negative drafts to suck up dust and fumes. This process is extremely robust, eliminating virtually every particle and toxin from the air. The other key aspect of this system is source capture. Movable fume extraction arms serve many functions, but their primary job is to move between workspaces to catch objects and chemicals right from the source and pull them into the filters of the extractor.
Filters
The most essential component of extraction machines is the filter. The filter effectively collects dust particles and other contaminants, which allows clean air to pump back into the workshop. Different filters have a MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) that determines which kinds of metal fumes and particles they can properly trap. This value refers to how porous a filter is—as a rule of thumb, replace any filter when it is visibly dirty.
The Different Types of Extraction Machines
While all fume extraction devices use negative draft, source capture, and filters, not every machine is equal. There are three different kinds of extractors: wall-mounted, portable, and downdraft table.
As its name suggests, a wall-mounted machine affixes to the wall of a workshop. The facility sets up workstations nearby, and extraction arms make the ventilation more accurate. Portable extractors also use arms but allow welders to move the device throughout the working environment. Downdraft tables are workstations with built-in extraction systems, meaning they do not require extraction arms.
Understanding how weld fume extraction machines work is helpful for both professional welders and hobbyists. They are essential for limiting the toxic hazards present both in industrial and personal usage.
