HEALTH & SAFETY
air in the workshop within a very short time. However, this also means that the fresh air supplied from the outside has to be heated to the required temperature. Therefore, the operating costs for such systems are correspondingly high. Moreover, with such a system the welding fumes still pass by the workers. Implementing fume extraction as
part of a retrofit of this scale requires considerable investment in duct systems and air filtration equipment plus a possible reorganisation of the production facility. However, there are other solutions.
Mobile systems
Portable and mobile fume extraction systems are handy, can be transported easily from one workstation to the next, and are less expensive both in terms of initial investment and running costs than central fume extraction systems. You can install them yourself and they can sometimes even be positioned under the workbench. There are also some systems available for the connection of several fume extraction torches. Up to two welding workstations can be served by our fume extraction system xFUME ADVANCED. One of the first system solutions on the
market for welding fume extraction and power source combined in one unit is the xFUME POWER 250 from Abicor Binzel. This mobile air-cooled combined unit has a 250 Amp power source with a duty cycle of 30% and integrated welding fume extraction. It is especially suitable for thin- sheet welding with extraction at the source and – depending on the welding position – captures between 90 and 98% of the welding fumes at a welding workstation. The integrated filter in the fume extraction
module filters up to 99.95% of all dusts > 0.1 µm out of the welding fumes.
Extraction arms
Local fume extraction (LEV - Local Exhaust Ventilation) with fixed or movable extraction hoods and arms can be an easy and inexpensive introduction to fume extraction systems. A local welding fume extraction solution can provide good protection for welders’ health at just a small investment. If the fume extraction hoods are
correctly positioned and guided properly in relation to the welding position, they are highly effective and can achieve extraction values almost comparable with high vacuum systems.
Extraction for welding robots
Even with automated welding processes – especially with welding robots – health hazards caused by harmful welding fumes and associated safety hazards for affected workers can be prevented. There are several solutions for fume extraction of welding robots available to those who are looking for comprehensive solutions. Usually, fume extraction for a welding
robot requires the robot cell to be enclosed and a duct system installed to discharge the welding fumes into a collection container inside or outside the plant. For manufacturers who weld large
parts or need to use an overhead crane in order to lift out parts, these methods are not possible. In such cases, one fume extraction option is to filter the air in the entire plant within a circuit – using so-called central extraction and filter systems. These replace the complete
For instance, the use of a single fume extraction unit can cover several workstations and ensure protection against welding fumes for several workers. When possible, fume extraction should be directly at the source during welding. By extracting the welding fumes immediately during the welding process, there is no possibility of the welding fumes coming into contact with workers at all. Conventional robot welding torches
do not have to be replaced immediately by robot extraction torches for welding fume extraction at the source. With a mounted welding fume extraction solution, the problem of hazardous fumes in the ambient air is solved quickly, efficiently and at comparatively low cost. The xFUME ROBO extraction kit from Abicor Binzel offers this.
Extraction for fixed
automation Mechanised welding systems are used in simple automation processes where repeatability is required, such as welding plates, beams or pipes. These systems are designed to reproduce work sequences from manual welding. Mechanised systems require less equipment investment than robotic processes and are widely used in more open areas rather than closed cells. Here, welders adjust the equipment or torch themselves in order to control, adjust and visually monitor the welding process. In automated welding, welders/
operators are exposed to harmful welding fumes and the use of personal protective equipment is obligatory. For this reason, fume extraction is mandatory even if the environment is well ventilated.
www.binzel-abicor.com
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