Mobile and Stationary Welding Fume Extractors: What’s the Difference?

Welding is common in the industrial sector, but it emits toxic fumes containing a mixture of various silicates, metallic oxides, and fluorides. However, it is advisable to extract welding fumes to safeguard your workers and comply with the authorities. There are fume extraction systems designed to capture and filter these dangerous fumes and safeguard workers.

You can choose either stationary or mobile fume-extracting units for your business. Thus, you must consider some factors when choosing between mobile and stationery welding fume extractors. The following are some of these factors:

• Your budget
• The type of fumes your business produces
• The nature of welding tasks
• The size of the workspace

Mobile Fume Extraction Systems

Mobile fume extraction systems are portable and easy to transport around your workspace. Typically, they have a hose or a flexible extraction arm joined to the extraction nozzle or the fume extraction gun. This can also be connected to a vacuum motor or a fan if you want a budget-friendly system. The motor sucks in the fumes, and a filtration system cleans the captured air before releasing it into the environment.

Advantages of Mobile

• Excellent adaptability
• Easy to relocate within the facility
• Valuable in workspaces where the welding task is restricted to one spot.
• Helpful in various sectors, such as automotive repair, manufacturing, and construction.
• Helpful in emergencies since they can easily connect to a power source and extract fumes.
• Best for light-duty and short-term operations.

Drawbacks of Mobile

• Limited extraction capacity.
• Functionality depends on power availability.
• Higher maintenance costs due to mobility.

Stationary Welding Fume Extraction

Stationary fume extraction systems are fixed units that are more powerful than mobile systems. They are designed for permanent installation in welding facilities. It comprises a vacuum unit, electrical panel, dust collector, hose, and fume extraction guns. The fume filtration system cleans the air before it mixes with the atmospheric air.

Advantages of Stationery

• A large motor, giving it enhanced power and extraction capacity.
• Multi-point extraction, enabling it to extract fumes from various welding stations.
• Ideal for long-term, robust performance.

Drawbacks of Stationery

• Immobile
• A high initial cost compared to mobile units.
• Complex installation.

Read More: How To Test Your Fume Extraction System

Expert Fume Filtration Services

Welding fumes extraction is crucial for the well-being of your workers. When contemplating mobile vs. stationary fume extraction units, contact IP Systems for expert advice and service. They can further explain the difference between mobile and stationary welding fume extractors and assist in determining the best solution for your business.