With increasing awareness of the severe health risks associated with welding fumes, and a greater focus on worker safety regulations, welding fume extraction torches are rapidly becoming more widespread. Understandably, welders have a number of questions about their performance and impact on their work. Let’s address these common concerns and highlight how we’ve worked to counter them.
Aren’t fume extraction torches bulky and uncomfortable to use?
Many welders express concern about the size and weight of traditional extraction torches. However, the Arc solution addresses this directly. We’ve engineered our torches to be light and maneuverable, featuring an ergonomic handle and optimised internal airflow channels to minimise bulk. The lightweight cable and hose system, combined with a knuckle joint, prevents dragging and reduces strain. Furthermore, the balanced weight distribution ensures precise control and minimises wrist fatigue, making long welding sessions more comfortable.
Doesn’t using a fume extraction torch affect weld quality, such as causing porosity?
It is true that poorly designed extraction systems can disrupt shielding gas and lead to porosity. However, the Arc X Series is specifically designed to minimise turbulence and disturbance to the weld pool. The angled and strategically positioned fume extraction channels draw fumes away from the shielding gas, ensuring consistent weld quality. Extensive modeling was used to optimise the internal channels for smooth airflow, further reducing turbulence.
Doesn’t the fume extraction nozzle obstruct the view of the workpiece?
Visibility is crucial for welding. The Arc nozzle features a low-profile, streamlined design that ensures a clear view of the workpiece. The strategically positioned extraction channels provide an unobstructed view and easy access to the weld joint, allowing for accurate and efficient welding.
Aren’t consumables for fume extraction torches more expensive and require frequent replacement?
We understand the importance of cost effectiveness. Arc consumables are manufactured from high-grade materials and undergo rigorous quality control to ensure exceptional durability and longevity. This translates to reduced downtime and cost savings for the welder. In fact, our consumables are designed to last 3 times longer than standard consumables, minimising the need for frequent replacements.
Are fume extraction torches less effective when welding at angles or in corner joints?
The Arc torch’s optimised nozzle design ensures consistent and effective fume capture across a wide range of welding angles and joint configurations, including challenging corner joints. This ensures reliable fume extraction, regardless of the welding position.
Don’t fume extraction torches require difficult and time-consuming maintenance?
Arc Torchology prioritises ease of maintenance. Our torches are designed for simple and efficient upkeep. For instance, the nozzles are designed to minimise spatter buildup, and the internal channels are angled to minimise blockages. Any blockages that do occur can be easily removed. The robust construction and high-quality materials ensure long-lasting performance, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
What are the benefits of using a fume extraction torch?
Fume extraction torches offer a number of benefits, however, it’s crucial to emphasise that the optimal fume control strategy should always be determined through a thorough risk assessment of your specific workplace and welding processes. While fume extraction torches provide superior source capture, enhanced welder mobility, improved weld quality, increased personal protection, and facilitated compliance in diverse environments, other methods may be more suitable depending on factors like workplace layout, welding volume, and specific fume composition. The aim should always be to select the most effective combination of fume control measures to minimise welder exposure and ensure a safe working environment.
What are the dangers of welding fumes if I don’t use a fume extraction?
Welding fumes are a complex mixture of particles and gases, many of which are carcinogenic. Exposure can lead to:
- Respiratory problems including asthma, COPD, and an increased risk of lung cancer
- Metal fume fever – a flu-like illness caused by exposure to certain metal oxides that can be debilitating
- Eye and skin irritation
- Other long term health conditions have also been linked to prolonged exposure
What is the best method to remove welding fumes?
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is widely recognised as the most effective method, capturing fumes at the source, preventing them reaching the worker’s breathing area and the wider workplace.
LEV can come in a number different forms. Extraction/fume arms are positioned by the welder near to their weld to draw away fumes. These are versatile and adjustable depending on the job, and can also be mobile. Another option is extraction hoods and booths, which contains the welding process and capture fumes within the area. These are particularly effective for repetitive welding tasks in a fixed location. There are also other options such as workbenches with integrated extraction.
On-torch extraction integrates the extraction directly into the welding torch, capturing fumes as soon as they are generated, maximising efficiency and minimising spread. It’s portable, adjustable and can be accommodate a wide range of different welding jobs with little additional setup required.
The key principle of effective LEV systems is to capture the fume as close to the source as practically possible. The best method for a specific workplace will depend on a comprehensive risk assessment considering factors like the welding process, materials, frequency, location, and the number of welders. A combination of different LEV methods may also be the most effective strategy in some environments.
By addressing these common questions, we aim to provide welders with the information they need to make informed decisions about fume extraction torches, ensuring a safer and more efficient welding experience.
For more information on our Arc X Fume Extraction Mig Torch Series visit Fume Mig
