Page 33 - MetalForming Magazine May 2023

Special Section: FABRICATION LASER CUTTING DUST COLLECTION
such as lead or hexavalent chromium. Should gaseous emissions be of con- cern, a progressive filtration strategy that includes an activated carbon after- filter may be required.
Fire and Explosion Protection
Dust-collection systems for laser cutting and welding must comply with National Fire Protection Association guidelines for collection of combustible dust. All dust-collection systems should be equipped with fire-detection and - suppression technologies appropriate for the type of dust collected. Explosible dust may require deflagration systems, which include explosion vents, isola- tion valves and rotary airlocks for the collection bin. A dust-hazard analysis, including testing of the dust generated by your systems, may be required to determine the explosive potential dust.
Switching from CO2 to Fiber Laser Cutting
For dust collection in laser cutting
applications, the type of laser matters. Newer fiber lasers operate much faster than CO2 lasers, as much as two to six times as fast. Even though fiber gen- erally produces a narrower kerf, or the amount of material removed per cut, the increased speed results in more dust produced per minute. Fabricators upgrading from older CO2 machines to high-speed fiber laser cutters also may need to upgrade their dust-col- lection systems to handle increased dust volume.
Dealing with Fugitive Fume
Fugitive fume from laser welding or cutting processes may present a prob- lem when using machines not fully enclosed or if enclosures are not air- tight. Fugitive fume also may arise from cooling parts as they exit the produc- tion line. As contamination may not be visible to the human eye, conduct air-quality testing to determine the presence of fumes in the ambient air, especially when working with highly
toxic or carcinogenic contaminants. A secondary ambient air-filtration system or ventilation system may be needed to meet PELs.
When to Call the Experts
Dust-collection system design for laser processes can be complex, espe- cially when a fabricator runs several high-production machines or engages in mixed processes with differing dust- collection requirements. Consult a qualified engineering firm when:
• Planning dust collection for a new build or expansion
• Adding new production processes or upgrading processes, such as moving from CO2 to fiber laser cutting
• Experiencing problems with pro- duction or dust collection equipment • Noticing a decline in indoor air
quality.
A system engineer can evaluate a
fabricator’s current air quality, set appropriate goals and design a system for maximum efficiency. MF
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