ABIBLOG: ABICOR BINZEL's Welding Blog

When welding metals, there are a number of emissions which, on the one hand, cause the legally prescribed MAK values (“maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentration”: maximum workplace concentration) to rise above the permissible threshold value and, due to toxic and / or disease-causing ingredients, represent a health risk for the personnel in the processing area. This fact obliges companies in the welding industry in particular to ensure effective air filtering and ventilation in the areas concerned. Because not only the welder himself is affected by the harmful emissions, but also the rest of the staff in the production hall, who are exposed to the welding fumes.

In addition to a large number of stationary fume extraction systems, the torch-integrated fume extraction (fume extraction torches) is one of the most effective and mobile methods that can be used. Welding with fume extraction torches is definitely a challenge when it comes to the handling.

So how can you weld correctly with fume extraction torches? What do you need to pay attention to?

Purchasing a fume extraction unit is the first step in the right direction. To protect the welder and other endangered persons from the dangers of welding fumes for as long as possible, there are a few things to consider, especially when it comes to the fume filters. The fume filter ensures that the hazardous gases in the welding fumes are filtered out and that the working environment is safe for everyone. How exactly does that work?

Fume extraction systems are designed to help you, which also requires you take care of them. Maintenance is a simple, yet important part of keeping your fume extraction systems running at their optimal performance level. Whether you have a portable or large stationary fume system, the maintenance is manageable and necessary. These different systems require their own specific attention, but ultimately use the same maintenance checklist. 

The decision to purchase and use a fume extraction system and a fume extraction torch to capture the health-endangering welding fumes directly at the source is becoming increasingly easier for many people. The awareness of the potentially hazardous gases in welding fumes has cleary spread throughout the industry.

Are you looking to continue advancing your welding process? You've completed the first step by adding robots to your operation, but now you're looking to improve safety among your team. Step two is setting up a robotic fume extraction system in your plant to improve air quality. The xFUME™ ROBO by ABICOR BINZEL USA and CA is the most effective and economical way to control welding smoke emissions with fume source capture.

If you are looking to invest in Fume Extraction equipment but you don't want to use manual Fume Extraction torches because they are too heavy, you're using a Machine/Robotic torch and you're concerned about access issues or you're simply on a tight budget - then here are a few external kits that you can use with your existing setup.

RAS Torch Kits 

The RAS fume extraction option is an economical and ergonomic alternative to integrated fume extraction torches e.g. RAB GRIP.

ABICOR BINZEL USA is now offering full turn-key solutions to fume extraction welding in both automated, robotic applications and manual applications.

Fume extraction is part of the basic equipment of every welding workplace. There is a wide range of extraction systems on the market, and the requirements are just as individual. From stationary systems that regularly exchange air in a complete production hall to mobile fume extraction with the absorption of welding fume directly at its point of origin, the so-called source extraction, there are many variants. In a previous blog, we went into more detail about the benefits of the extraction at the source. Today we want to focus on the costs that you will face if you want to buy a fume extraction system.

How to mitigate welding fume is a big topic. People, by instinct, oftentimes say, "Oh, I'll put a mask on and that'll be sufficient"

Now, however, there is a systematic approach that's been used by OSHA or any health and safety offices. Now, the approach is to start looking at the process, and starting at the bottom of mitigation pyramid and systematically moving up.

Eliminating or Substituting the Weld Process

The first question to ask is if it is possible to eliminate or substitute the process that's causing the fume? Obviously, most of the time it's not possible to remove welding from the operation. But it's worth considering if you are using stick welding or flux core welding whether you can substitute this process for a better process as far as smoke creation?

What is welding fumes? We all have an idea of what is welding fume. It is obviously coming from molten metal that you create when you're welding. The mixture of the welding smoke is changing from one process to the other, but overall, it's a mixture of very fine particles and gases.