Report answers critics' questions
June 1st 2008 The dangers of fumes from
welding have long been
known.
Traditional capture hoods
and nozzles can work well,
but require an element of
operator involvement to
ensure correct positioning of
the capture device. For MIG
Welding it has been possible
to integrate the capture
nozzle into the welding torch
itself, and advances in recent
years have seen these
torches improve in efficiency,
weight and manoeuvrability.
Having the extraction
device built into the torch
removes responsibility from
the welder to position hoods
or nozzles correctly, as the
point of extraction is always
in proximity to the weld.
Until recently the
efficiency of on torch fume
extraction had not been
tested, and there were doubts
over the overall effectiveness
of such systems.
Nederman, together with
its partner Abicor Binzel
commissioned tests at the
Health & Safety Laboratory
that would answer such
questions and for the first
time provide quantitative
results of capture efficiency
via the welding torch.
The report has concluded
that the extraction of
welding fumes via the torch
can offer very high capture
efficiencies and with the
correct welding parameters
in place, there was no
disturbance of shielding gas
and therefore no detriment
to the integrity of the weld.
For a free copy of the On
Torch Welding Report,
contact Nederman on the
number below. More articles from Nederman Limited: | 
