Metalworking & Welding

The Metalworking and Welding Industry, also known as the Metal Processing Industry, the Metallurgical Industry and the Iron and Steel Industry, includes three major components, metal forming, metal casting and metal joining.   

Many dust producing processes are involved in these three industry branches including blasting, crushing, milling, grinding, compressing, cutting, polishing, soldering, and riveting.  

Industry Challenges 

The processes involved in welding and metalwork create serious air pollution challenges for the work environment.  They release poisonous metals, such as arsenic, lead and aluminum and dangerous gasses, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride into the air.  Exposure to these metals and gasses can be poisonous to workers and lead to suffocation risks. 

Dust particles released by welding and metalwork processes are combustible.  High concentrations of dust buildup in the air and on expensive equipment can lead to clogs, damage to delicate mechanisms, fires, and explosions.  Dust collectors, if not designed correctly, impact worker health and production output. 

Solutions Available 

Airtight Solutions has extensive experience in all areas of dust extraction and collection for the welding and metalworking industry. 

Our customizable solutions will provide: 

• Directional air movement, to keep particles airborne 
• Minute filtration capacities 
• Easily accessible filter materials, designed to capture and safely neutralize dust particles, for easy and safe change-out 
• A customized design based on workspace, airflow, and power access 
• Formalized extraction techniques to safely handle and dispose of filtered particulates and exhausted filters 

We provide efficient and effective fume extraction at all essential points along the welding and metalworking process.  In foundries, these points include at the furnace, during sand storage, conveying and handling and at molding, casting, and shakeout points.  Some customizable dust collection and fume extraction solutions include: 

• Extraction at the torch  
• Flexible extraction near the torch  
• Portable dust collection and fume extraction  
• Cutting tables with built in dust collection tools  
• Customized hooding and canopies 
• Purpose-built ducting systems for highly abrasive materials 
• Dry baghouse filtration beneficial for:
  • High-temperature applications 
  • Sticky or wet particulate 
  • Heavy dust loads 
  • Small or large particulates 
• Wet scrubbers, ideal for dealing with moisture in the airstream, beneficial for:
  • High-temperature applications 
  • Moist exhaust stream applications 
  • Applications requiring the removal of both gasses and particles 
  • Applications needing to neutralize corrosive gasses 
• Bin venting filters, pulse jet style industrial dust collectors, beneficial for:
  • High efficiency 
  • Low energy requirements 
  • Low maintenance requirements 
  • Quick installation with minimal installation costs 

Client Benefits/Saving/Results

Dust collection requirements in the welding and metalworking industry are complex and involve strict OSHA regulations.  A reputable dust collection engineering and manufacturing firm will customize a safe, effective, low maintenance solution that will help you: 

• Capture and safely neutralize dust particles 
• Extract dust and fumes at their sources to immediately remove dangerous materials and gasses from the air 
• Ensure a safe and healthy working environment for workers 
• Avoid critical equipment failure and dust explosions