What is the purpose?

Dust Extraction and Ventilation systems (for dust & fumes) are used to create breathable air quality, cleaner work environment around the factory (inside & exterior), around your expensive machinery, and of course for your workers. By removing dust & fume particles from the atmosphere or around machinery thus creating healthy, sustainable conditions. There are numerous reasons as to why people choose to install a dust collector but the main reasons are to create a safe,comfortable and healthy environment for everyone who is in the room or factory.

Who needs one?

There are many different reasons as to why you may need a dust collector. In most cases, we deal with companies or businesses who work in factories or other environments where there are lots of dust & fumes in the air. Either created by machinery, powder mixing in food, pharmaceutical, plastics, metal fabrication, mining and many more such manufacturing plants or raw material processing. However, there could be any number of reasons as to why someone needs a dustcollector.

How do they work?

There is quite a mechanical design process involved with the dust & fume particles being conveyed through the ductwork network to the filter system, driven via an extraction fan, before being discharged into a waste collection point. The thorough system is exactly why it is important to invest in a quality dust & fume extractor so that it performs its job to a high efficient standard. This will keep Work cover and the EPA away!

How do I choose the correct dust extractor?

The great thing about dust & fume extractors are that they come in a range of sizes and designs so there really is more than one out there to suit the needs of everyone! If you’re not sure which dust extractor would be best for you, give us a call today and we can point you in the right direction! There are numerous things to consider when choosing a dust extractor, such as, the volume of dust conveyed, the type of dust, density, temperature, velocity, filter media type, the size of the building, what kind of work goes on and the like.

Can I install one myself?

Yes you can. If you have a maintenance team of fitters and mechanical minded workers. Although it is quite a technical process and it is important that every single aspect is installed and working correctly. However having our team to install or having one of our supervises during the installation the would be recommended. We can even suggest a maintenance service schedule for you. We have been in the industry for many years now so we know all of the ins and outs and are more than qualified for the job!

At the end of the day, there are options out there to suit everyone so as long as you do your research you should end up with a dust extractor that is perfect for you needs! Alternatively, give us a call today and we can point you in the right direction!

Thankfully, the creation of dust collectors has allowed companies to meet strict regulations relating to environmental pollution of dust and fume control. The important issue is to remove any excess dust and fumes from your industrial machinery and in the surrounding air. In turn, this provides a cleaner, safer working environment for staff. To ensure a dust collector is working to its full potential it is imperative to maintain it on a regular basis.

This will keep it running smoothly and also extend its shelf life. To make things easier for you, or whoever it is that will be in charge of maintaining the dust collector, we recommend creating a maintenance schedule which details what needs to be done on a frequent basis and what needs to be checked every now and again. This schedule could compile daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and yearly tasks however the more common the maintenance is, the better your dust collector will run.

Below are a few simple, yet effective tasks you should incorporate in order to maintain you dust collector.

• We would suggest using a pressure gauge (magnehelic gauge) that is attached to the dust extractor where it can be easily read each day or so. Just like the gauges in your car, if the temperature rises there is a problem and you can sort it out immediately before causing major issues to your engine.  The magnehelic gauge is similar it will tell you if the filters are blocked. If this is the case then there is a check list:

• This one is quite possibly the simplest there is. You should regularly empty the dust bin or bag. If it gets too full then the dust will potentially stay up in the filters. These then become blocked which lessens your suction performance at the machinery pick up points.

• You will need to keep an eye on the filter cleaning system.  If your dust

Collector’s filters are clogged it is not going to be very effective. Pressure will build up and loss of suction. If there are holes in the filters the dust and fumes will pass back into your factory or outside, all over your cars or your neighbours cars. A properly designed self cleaning system (e.g. Reverse Pulse Dust Extractors that use compressed air, set on a timer or pressure timer, blast a shot of air back on the filter and releases the dust into the bin) will maintain a good lifespan of the filters and prevent blockages.

• Keep an eye out for any leaks. You do not want any leaking ducting  connections or flexible hose leaks in the system as the dust and leaking ductwork can have suction problems at the machinery extraction points.  If you do come across any holes in the hoses etc., you can patch them up yourself, or replace the entire hose. Or get an expert in like Dust Extraction Solutions.

• Clean any switches and electrical boxes on the dust collector. Dust particles and fumes can make their way into improper electrical enclosures and  components. This runs the risk of fires or corrosion, so it is important to make sure you use industrial certified IP enclosures and switch gear especially around explosive fumes and volatile dusts.

• Ensure the exhaust fan is always in prime condition. Any unusual vibration and noise should be immediately checked by a specialist like Dust Extraction Solutions. Hot bearing housings, loose belts and fan vibration are warning signs.

Most importantly, when working with heavy machinery, your safety is extremely important. Make sure you adhere to health and safety guidelines to prevent any accidents from happening. Isolate the fan and lock it out.

This checklist will steer you in the right direction to begin regular maintenance work on your dust collector, however, every piece of machinery is different. Some will require more maintenance work than others, but if you take the time to monitor your equipment regularly, you shouldn’t face any expensive breakdowns.