Using Dust Collectors for Metalworking

Using Dust Collectors for Metalworking

If you specialize in metalworking, you already understand the importance of proper dust collection. Not only can the metal contaminants released during use of a sander pollute the air and dirty up your shop, but they also have the potential to cause dangerous thermal events that can harm employees and equipment. That’s where high-quality dust collectors come in. These machines gather metal grindings and store them in a secure containment space. However, to ensure that your dust collection process is as efficient and safe as possible, you’ll need to understand the best ways to operate and maintain these invaluable machines. And that’s where we come in.

At Timesavers, we produce the best woodworking and metalworking finishing machines in the industry. Our team has spent the past 70+ years engineering and manufacturing innovative finishing solutions. Above all else, our goal is to provide all of the guidance and support your shop needs to maximize production efficiency, safety and ROI. That’s why we’ll be taking a few minutes today to discuss the best way to use dust collectors for metalworking. But before we jump in, let’s take a moment to review how dust collectors function in the context of metalworking.

How Do Metalworking Dust Collectors Work?

Whenever you debur, finish or grind a ferrous or non-ferrous metal, it releases metal grinding debris into the air. This dust can create a number of issues regarding regulatory compliance, worker health and plant cleanliness. Airborne metal debris can also be combustible, resulting in hazardous fires and even explosions. To maintain employee safety, sanitation and air quality, metalworking shops will often invest in metalworking dust collectors to contain and control the dust generated by their finishing machines.

It’s important to note that there are two primary types of dust collection filtration systems: dry and wet. Dry filtration machines are essentially giant vacuum cleaners, simply sucking up and containing metal debris until they reach maximum capacity. Wet filtration models force all of the grinding debris into a tank of water, capturing and cooling it to mitigate the risk of fires and explosions. Because of this extra safety precaution, we generally recommend that metalworkers invest in wet filtration systems. Moreover, wet dust collection machines are relatively simple to operate and clean, making them an excellent choice for a range of metalworking operations.

Using & Maintaining a Wet Dust Collector

Now that you have a solid understanding of the benefits of wet dust collectors, let’s dive a bit deeper into how these machines are used and maintained. To begin, operators will connect their industrial grinding machine to the collector through ductwork. These pipes will transport the air—along with any airborne dust—into the wet dust collector, pushing them both directly into the water tank. This system will trap and neutralize any dangerous particulates. After production ends, operators will use a scoop to manually pull debris up and out of the water tank, leaving it prepared for the next run.

Beyond these simple operation steps, there are two vital factors that enable wet dust collectors to function correctly. CFM (cubic feet per minute) measures the volume of air being moved, and static pressure (Inches of Water) is the force of the air being moved. Without adequate CFM and static pressure, dust particles won’t be suspended effectively or conveyed to the dust collector. Fortunately Timesavers can help provide you with specific CFM and static pressure requirements for your specific machines and production systems.

If you’re looking to replace or upgrade your debris filtration machinery, be sure to look through our selection of dust collectors. We offer both portable and full-sized machines that are powerful and durable enough to meet and exceed your production requirements, no matter how demanding or ambitious they are. Also, be sure to check out this video on dust collection if you’re interested in learning more about how these incredible solutions work.

Contact Timesavers Today

Have any additional questions about dust collectors or metal finishing in general? Then be sure to call or message Timesavers. You can also contact us if you would like to learn more about our dust collection machines and how they can boost the efficacy of your metalworking projects. As always, we’re here to provide any resources you need to thrive.