Product category:
Welding ancilliaries
News Release from: Flextraction | Subject: Mobile welding fume extraction system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 January 2007
Mobile weld fume extraction used on
locomotive
Mobile welding fume extraction system - capable of reaching over large fabrications - has been used on a steam locomotive for arc welding repairs to its a copper firebox.
When the UK's Severn Valley Railway (SVR) in Shropshire, needed support with their welding fume problems, they turned to Melton Mowbray based, Flextraction, a specialist provider capturing at source all forms of airborne contamination - dust, fume and oil mist and the sole UK representative for TEKA,Germany, who supplied their latest mobile weld fume extraction equipment - Strongmaster UPF Strongmaster UPF is a mobile cartridge filter system with the welded steel body housing a high efficiency filter cartridge, 3,000m3/h fan unit and 1.1kW motor
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 Jan 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Fume, dusts extraction systems to be shown
UK representative for German, Swedish and Dutch fume, dusts and all forms of airborne contamination equipment will exhibit the systems at a UK manufacturing show.
Mobile industrial fume extractor
The TEKA Caremaster SF is a new BIA European Standard approved mobile one way industrial fume extractor available from Flextraction.
A filter full indicator is standard, which notifies the user when to clean the filter cartridge.
This operation is carried out quickly and safely by the unique way TEKA has designed the safe clean chamber.
The cartridge filter also enables the unit to be used on grinding operations within the workshop.
Further reading
Portable filter for the extraction of gases
Flextraction has launched the Fumex LF70 portable filter for the extraction of gases, capturing at source all forms of airborne contamination: dust, fume and oil mist.
Single-station filter system with suction nozzle
The Fumex LFK175 single-station filter system from Flextraction comes complete with Terfu 75mm diameter local extractor arms and a S300-75 suction nozzle.
Dust extraction and filtration on show
Flextraction will be exhibiting a range of new and existing dust collecting, mist separating and fume extraction equipment at Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition.
The SVR application was unusual having its roots at the 'heart' of the 'steam age' - a steam engine's firebox.
One area in particular, repairing the fireboxes, was creating quite a problem with fumes and dust.
Both MIG and TIG welding processes operating at over 400A, were being used on a range of materials.
The main concern was the firebox lining, which was 16mm triple dioxide phosphorous arsenic copper.
SVR's welder David Howell often has to climb into the firebox to cut away and replace panels.
David said, "The fume level was considerable and we needed a flexible and mobile solution that could reach the areas of weld, wherever I was, on or even in the firebox." Due to the workshop environment and the high degree of filtration required, there was a need for a long reach and flexible extraction arm.
Due to the stability of the TEKA mobile system, Flextraction was able to fit a 4m long self-supporting arm allowing Howell to reach right into the firebox.
Howell and his colleagues within the workshop have noticed a considerable difference since purchasing the unit.
Howell continued: "The workshop used to fill up with fumes and our face masks became very dirty.
This no longer happens and we are delighted with the TEKA Strongmaster.
I can be welding anywhere on the railway and as the extraction equipment is so mobile I am able to take with me, where ever I go." Non welders and support staff within the workshop also commented how they are no longer exposed to the fumes created by the welding and grinding operations.
Severn Valley Railway dates back decades to the Hanbury to Shrewsbury line via Bridgnorth.
When it was closed by British Railways, a society was formed, uncannily at the local pub at one end of the line, and they saved this beautiful stretch of historical railway.
Over the years the society has purchased several line extensions and now the line runs a full 16 miles through beautiful scenery between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster and is today, one of the Midland's leading tourist attractions.
The society has a large and impressive range of steam engines and a continuous programme of repairs, maintenance and overhauls is carried out at their extensive workshops in Bridgnorth.
This application shows that the very latest of technology has a part to play in even the most traditional of engineering environments.
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