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    • Mobile Welding Fume Extractors

    Mobile Welding Fume Extractors

    Posted by ACL Team (Credit: Weldclass) on 4th Sep 2024

    The Mobile Welding Fume Extractor suits many Australian workshops, but is it necessarily the best welding smoke extractor system for every application?


    What is so good about them?

    • Low operating costs & proven reliability
    • 7 Year Warranty offer
    • Cleanable cartridge filter for extended life and significantly lower filter replacement costs
    • Exceptional suction power with max air flow rate of up to 3,500 m3/hr
    • Cleanable cartridge allows for consistent suction, with minimal flow drop
    • Spark deflection system shields filters from coarse particles and sparks, and redirects them to the dust collection tray/bin, significantly reducing the risk of burnout and further increasing filter life
    • Large surface area filters with high filtration efficiency
    • Patented dust collection tray/bin allows fast & safe removal of dust ejected from filter cleaning
    • Exhaust airflow is directed upwards & away from the floor/ground, for minimal disturbance of dust in surrounding environment
    • 100% Australian owned, operated, & supported
    • Range of units available with manual and auto cleaning, 1ph or 3ph power, single or twin arms

    What is a Mobile Welding Fume Extractor?

    A Mobile Welding Fume Extractor, or fume cart, is a portable device designed to remove harmful fumes and particulate matter generated during welding processes. These extractors typically feature a flexible arm or hose that can be positioned near the welding area to capture fumes at the source. The device filters the captured air to remove contaminants, for a safer and cleaner working environment. Mobile units are equipped with wheels or casters, allowing easy relocation to different workshop areas as needed.

    How do Mobile Welding Fume Extractors Compare with Other Solutions?

    Here we cover some of the key pros and cons of the 4 main types of welding fume extraction systems: Mobile Fume Extractors, Fume Extraction MIG/TIG Torches, PAPR Welding Helmets, and Ducted Central Fume Extraction systems:

    Fume Control System

    Pros

    Cons

    Mobile Fume Extractor
    • Extracts fumes at the source
    • Can be moved to different locations
    • Versatile: can be easily deployed, and utilised only where/when needed by each operator
    • Easy to maintain
    • Does not interfere with operator ergonomics or comfort
    • Depending on model/brand, are suitable for wide range of applications including: MIG, Stick, TIG, Grinding, Plasma, Oxy, Gouging
    • Need to be manually moved to the fume source / welding location
    • In very confined spaces, wall mounted, or other systems may be better option
    • May not be ideal where the welder is having to move very frequently over a wide area
    Fume Extraction MIG or TIG Welding Torch
    • Extracts fumes directly at the point of generation for high efficiency removal
    • Eliminates need for additional set up/movement, with extraction point always at the fume source
    • Not suitable for Grinding, Stick/MMA welding, Plasma cutting, or Gouging
    • High set up cost: Fume torches costs substantially more than standard torches & each torch requires a dedicated extraction & filtration unit
    • Torch is bulkier, heavier, and more cumbersome than standard torches
    • Torch cannot be used in some applications where there is confined space at the weld joint
    • More complex with additional components to service / repair
    • Ongoing cost of torch consumables can be significantly higher than standard torches
    Welding Helmet with PAPR Respirator
    • Relatively low cost for initial purchase
    • Very mobile and allows for unrestricted movement
    • Quickly & easily deployed
    • Powered air provides additional operator comfort
    • Only protects the user
    • Does not remove fumes from the environment, or protect others in the environment
    • Depends on battery power
    • Requires frequent filter replacement
    • Operator carries additional weight & bulk
    Ducted/Central Fume Extraction System
    • Extracts fumes at the source
    • Suited to large-scale workshops, especially if all workstations are typically active at the same time
    • Minimal maintenance, or down time for operators
    • High cost
    • Time consuming to procure and install
    • Can be inefficient if workstations are used at different times, and/or some workstations are not always utilised
    • Not suitable where portability & flexibility is required

    Main differences with the Fume Extractors

    1) Air-Flow / Suction Capacity:

    Obviously you don't want to invest in a fume extractor, only to find that it doesn't have enough airflow or suction power to do the job. There are significant differences between the air flow rate (m3 per hour) between brands and models, so it pays to check this out. Keep in mind that airflow rates are measured when the filter is new/clean, and the advertised flow rate is not the whole story.

    It's also just as important to be aware that the air flow rate typically reduces as the filter becomes full (because there is more air flow obstruction), resulting in lower suction and reduced extraction efficiency.


    2) Replacement Filter Costs:

    This factor is often not given enough consideration prior to purchase of an extraction unit. The two questions here are a) what do replacement filters cost? and b) how often will I need to replace them?

    Replacement filters can cost anywhere from around $500 to well over $1,000. However, the price alone is somewhat meaningless without some indication of service life. A filter might be higher cost than others, but last longer in service and result in a lower overall cost.

    Determining out how long a filter will last is one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions. There are so many factors and variables that can affect the service life (volume of fume, frequency of use, etc), that most manufacturers will only provide a ballpark figure at best.


    3) Filter System:

    All mobile extractors have replaceable filters. The three main types of filters used are Box Filters, Disposable Cartridge Filters, and Cleanable Filters.