INDUSTRY 4.0 / SMART FACTORIES H


owever, the increased flexibility created by Industry 4.0 approaches introduces new challenges, as factory floors become dynamic rather than static.


For many years, the standard approach to


manufacturing fume extraction was to use a centralised/fixed or vent-to-air exhaust system. Manufacturers must now adapt to the agile demands of Industry 4.0, so portable fume extraction is playing an increasingly important role. Portable filtration supports a ‘make anything anywhere’ production culture. It is quicker and easier for production


teams to set up with minimal disruption, and it can be scaled progressively to meet demand. Alongside the recognition that portable extraction offers operational agility and efficiency, this shift is also being driven by a growing focus on workplace atmosphere management and cost savings. Engineering and health and safety managers


must now assess the options between portable and fixed extraction. This includes ensuring they understand the potential risk any given process presents in the workplace. They should also assess the installation and life cycle costs of fixed and portable systems, while projecting the future mix of work relative to agility, capability and capacity.


FLEXIBILITY Portable systems are far more manoeuvrable than their fixed counterparts, providing flexibility that accommodates changes to the factory floor. Their ability to be quickly repositioned to support evolving layouts, without the need for major infrastructure changes, is a significant advantage in an Industry 4.0 environment. The quick and flexible deployment of


portable fume extraction systems means that installation and maintenance costs tend to be lower. In contrast, a vent-to-air system requires a greater initial investment due to the need for a larger-scale, centralised infrastructure. This involves complex ducting and pipework, which not only adds to the initial cost but also makes future changes to the factory floor layout more expensive and time- consuming.


ENERGY EFFICIENCY Traditional vent-to-air systems expel both air and fumes outside, which can increase energy consumption as heated or cooled air must be continuously removed from the workplace However, portable systems recirculate


filtered air back into the workplace, which helps to retain heated air within the building and reduces the need for it to be replaced with cold outside air. Consequently, energy consumption for space heating can be lower for portable fume extraction systems.


BLENDED APPROACH While portable systems offer significant flexibility, it is important to remember that a fixed or centralised vent-to-air system might be better suited to certain applications. This includes large-scale industrial processes where centralised systems are designed to


WHY INDUSTRY 4.0 DEMANDS MORE AGILE FUME EXTRACTION


By Arran Morgan, Product and Engineering Director, Donaldson BOFA


Industry 4.0 is driving greater efficiency across operations, allowing manufacturers to respond more swiftly and precisely to customer demands


handle the emissions from multiple stations or processes, which can be more efficient for large installations. They are also central to the prevention of


line contamination, as a centralised vent- to-air system removes harmful airborne contaminants, reducing the risk of particles settling on production equipment, which could potentially damage product quality. Also, for high-volume and stationary process situations that are not expected to change, a fixed system can provide a robust and permanent solution to ensure consistent fume removal where there is no need for frequent repositioning.


“Increasingly, portable fume ex- traction solutions are proving to deliver enhanced support against the demands of Industry 4.0. “


However, it is not necessarily a ‘one size


fits all’ option, as portable and fixed fume extraction solutions can be combined effectively to optimise production. Portable systems can be used to augment an existing vent-to-air (VTA) system, addressing specific processes or workstations that may not be a


good fit for the main centralised exhaust. This dual functionality is particularly useful


in agile manufacturing environments where a business might use a fixed VTA system as a base but also needs the flexibility of portable units. This allows businesses to adapt to changing production layouts and processes without incurring any significant costs and downtime associated with modifying a fixed, centralised infrastructure. This multi- layered approach creates a more flexible and comprehensive fume extraction strategy in the factory environment strategy. Increasingly, portable fume extraction


solutions are proving to deliver enhanced support against the demands of Industry 4.0, through greater flexibility in an agile manufacturing setting. However, they can also be deployed to


effectively support more traditional fixed fume extraction systems. This will enable manufacturers to optimise


investments already made in factory processes, infrastructure and equipment, while taking advantage of new smart factory approaches that enhance production, minimise downtime and eliminate inefficiencies.


Donaldson BOFA www.donaldsonbofa.com FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | OCTOBER 2025 15


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46