Plasma cutting table fume extraction questions
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2022 9:57 am
So I'm planning to purchase a CNC plasma table for my metal fabrication shop, and I need to know a few details in order to budget for the installation of the unit.
Firstly, as I have decided on going for a downdraft table to clear the relatively small shop of toxic fumes, I am faced with two options: Fume extraction without any filters to the roof of the building or a filtered fume extractor that re-circulates the filtered air back into the shop.
I'd rather go extract directly out of the workshop as that will be the cheaper solution on the long run as I will not have to be constantly facing the inevitable filter change.
That being said, does anyone have any idea how long these filters last? I know it's almost impossible to say with any amount of certainty so lets take a worst case scenario of 8 hours/day of cutting aluminum sheets with a thickness of 20mm.
Also, are plasma cutting fumes hot? The reason I ask is so that I can price the ducting work accordingly. Might have to insulate the pipes from heat to prevent any potential skin burns.
Finally, if I decide to go for the fume extraction on the roof method, can I reduce the ducting diameter if it goes straight up for about 10 meters? My plasma table has an airflow requirement of 3500 m3/h and the outlet diameter is 310 mm. Will it be ok to reduce that directly to say 200 mm and go up from there?
Firstly, as I have decided on going for a downdraft table to clear the relatively small shop of toxic fumes, I am faced with two options: Fume extraction without any filters to the roof of the building or a filtered fume extractor that re-circulates the filtered air back into the shop.
I'd rather go extract directly out of the workshop as that will be the cheaper solution on the long run as I will not have to be constantly facing the inevitable filter change.
That being said, does anyone have any idea how long these filters last? I know it's almost impossible to say with any amount of certainty so lets take a worst case scenario of 8 hours/day of cutting aluminum sheets with a thickness of 20mm.
Also, are plasma cutting fumes hot? The reason I ask is so that I can price the ducting work accordingly. Might have to insulate the pipes from heat to prevent any potential skin burns.
Finally, if I decide to go for the fume extraction on the roof method, can I reduce the ducting diameter if it goes straight up for about 10 meters? My plasma table has an airflow requirement of 3500 m3/h and the outlet diameter is 310 mm. Will it be ok to reduce that directly to say 200 mm and go up from there?