Feature: Industry 4.0
reduction and production consistency. Even small deviations can lead to major yield loss or reliability issues in electronics manufacturing. To achieve these goals, air filtration
engineers should undertake a detailed assessment of the industrial process, the materials being worked, and the volume and composition of the fume or particles being emitted. Tis should include detailed mapping of the airflow management parameters, to set the correct capture velocity (the speed of suction) that is required to satisfy local emissions regulations. Tese desktop analytics should then be proven through a process of application testing, to underscore the anticipated benefits with rock-solid performance data. Te resulting fume and particulate
extraction systems should be tailored to specific workplace exposure limits set under the Control of Substances Hazard to Health (COSHH) regulations. One filter media to consider is HEPA filters as they provide a very high level of filtration for both the smallest and largest particulate contaminants. Tey send air through various pre-filters to assist with catching airborne particulate, capturing 99.995% of particles at 0.3 microns, as per the European standards.
More agile manufacturing For many years, the standard approach to manufacturing fume extraction was to use a centralised/fixed or vent-to-air exhaust system. As electronics manufacturers must now adapt to the agile demands of Industry 4.0, portable fume and dust extraction systems are increasingly becoming a feature of automated electronics production processes. Tis includes processes such as wave and reflow soldering in factories producing high-volume, high-quality PCBs. Portable filtration supports a ‘make anything anywhere’ production culture. It is simple for production teams to set up with minimal disruption, and it can be scaled progressively to meet demand. Te quick and flexible deployment of
portable fume extraction systems means that installation and maintenance costs
As electronics manufacturers adapt to Industry
4.0, portable fume and dust extraction systems are
becoming a feature
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. Tis involves complex ducting and pipework, which not only adds to the initial cost but can also make future changes to the factory floor layout more expensive and time-consuming. Traditional vent-to-air systems expel
both air and fumes outside, which can increase energy consumption, since heated or cooled air must continuously be 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. Tis includes large-scale industrial processes where centralised systems are designed to handle the emissions from multiple stations or processes, which can be more efficient for large installations. Tey are also central to the prevention of line contamination, as a centralised vent-to- air system removes potentially 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. 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. Tis 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. Tis can help businesses adapt to changing production layouts and processes without incurring any significant costs and downtime associated with modifying a fixed, centralised infrastructure. Tis multi- layered approach creates a more flexible and comprehensive fume extraction strategy in the factory environment strategy. Effective fume and particulate
extraction play an important part in helping electronics manufacturers create a clean environment for their teams whilst maintaining high levels of quality and productivity. An effective extraction system will contribute to optimal automated electronics manufacturing performance through effective air management and multi-stage filtration technology. Tis now increasingly includes Industry 4.0 considerations, where portable fume extraction solutions are proving to deliver enhanced support through greater flexibility in an agile manufacturing setting. However, portable solutions can also
be deployed to effectively support more traditional fixed fume extraction systems. Tis 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.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk April 2026 45
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