Plastic is used in a multiple of areas within manufacturing for a variety of reasons. Plastic is 20 percent lighter than steel, making it easier to install in products like Industrial Maid Air Filtration systems, but it’s also less expensive, non-corrosive, operates quieter and doesn’t take up valuable resources including welding, grinding and paint finish.
At Industrial Maid, we provide recycled polyethylene as an option in our Ambient Air Cleaners, which includes part recycled material and some virgin plastic, making it environmentally friendly. Customers love the look of the plastic and because the systems are modular, the manufacturing process is simplified, more efficient and less expensive—a bonus for all of our customers.
An industrial air filtration system is used to clean up the air quality throughout a plant or in specific areas where the process creates particulates, fumes or vapors.
Air filtration is important in manufacturing or production plants because it protects your employees, plant assets and keeps indoor air safe and clean. Clean air is a huge benefit for your business because it helps extend the life of electronic equipment, parts that create movement or friction, and secures the health and morale of your employees.
A good air filtration system also decreases reliance on the HVAC systems—saving your company energy dollars in heating and cooling seasons. The benefits of a good air filtration system are countless, from ensuring your customers see a clean, quality shop to providing your employees safe and healthy air to breath, to equipment life to overall business savings.
It is important to note every plant process is unique and consulting with an expert on the best solution for your business before you buy, is always a wise decision.
There are many types of industrial air filtration systems, including packaged air cleaners, cyclones, dust collectors, wet collectors, regenerative thermal oxidizers, electronic precipitators and various other technologies. Each technology can be matched to handle nuisance particulates (dust) and fumes, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), hazardous air pollutants (HAP’s) and other items produced in manufacturing and finishing processes. Explore some of the mostcommon applicationsof these systems.
Industrial air filtration systems collect and remove process contaminants from the air. Common collections include welding smoke and fumes, laser and plasma dust, grinding dust and grit, wood dust, composite dusts, cannabis dust and odors, additive manufacturing particles and vapors, and other materials produced in the manufacturing process.
A properly designed air filtration system will collect and contain the materials, keep the air quality safe for your employees to breathe, and protect your HVAC system from plugging filters and building up materials in the ducting or dirtying the coils and burners. Air filtration systems will save you energy, protect your company’s assets and keep your workspace clean and safe.
FAQ contentEvery business is different, so it is important that an evaluation of process, space, materials and workflow is completed before you choose an industrial air filtration system. The system should be designed and considered for your specific application and desired business outcomes. To review what products are available, visit theIndustrial Maid product overviewpage.
The specifics of applications really determine the proper choice of anindustrial air cleaneror adust collector. An industrial air cleaner placed inside a plant is safer, quieter, requires less energy and will handle oily or damp materials better than a dust collector. For welding applications – it is common to have oily materials being welded and for the process to use anti-spatter along with nozzle dip. Properly designed industrial air cleaners can handle these materials better than cartridges designed for dry dust particulate. Each process should be carefully evaluated by an expert to ascertain what is the best overall solution for the expected maintenance & performance criteria.
The United States Department of Labor has many rules and regulations that help create and promote healthy and safe workplaces. The regulations that apply to air filtration are dependent upon the industry and the business processes. We’ve include a link below to the full Table of Contents to OSHA Laws and Regulations page, so you can search for regulations that may affect your business.
There are current OSHA regulations to ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and heating. Below are some of the most common links referenced in these areas.
There are many different types of welding processes—each that come with their own related risks. Below are the health effects of breathing welding fumes published by OSHA, along with an OSHA fact sheet for download.
- Acute exposure to welding fume and gases can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness and nausea. Workers in the area who experience these symptoms should leave the area immediately, seek fresh air and obtain medical attention.
- Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tracts.
- Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume, fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage. Prolonged exposure to manganese fume can cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms.
- Gasses such as helium, argon and carbon dioxide displace oxygen in the air and can lead to suffocation, particularly when welding in confined or enclosed spaces. Carbon monoxide gas can form, posing a serious asphyxiation hazard.
The American Welding Association is an association that works to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide. They assist with certification, advanced training, updated standards, conferences and professional collaborations and career opportunities in welding. To learn more, visit their website below.
