Downdraft Tables
/ Workstations
Q. “What features are needed in a down draft table for plasma cutting?” A. A down draft table for plasma cutting should have local ventilation, rather than
table-style ventilation. Also, to handle smoke, a down draft table for plasma cutting
should incorporate HEPA filtration. Q. “Can one down draft table be used for several diverse tasks, such as
metal pipe grinding and boron carbide abrasive grit grinding?” A. Yes – with the caveat that aluminum should not be “mixed” with other metals. Q. “Can metal grinding dust hazards be eliminated with down draft tables?” A. Yes –Tri-Mer’s Downdraft Workstation captures virtually all ferrous and
nonferrous metal dusts .5 microns or larger at 99.5% efficiency or better. Q. “Can we buy self-contained downdraft tables for carbide grinding –
also grinding aluminum?” A. Self-contained downdraft tables are suitable for both carbide grinding and
grinding aluminum. The downdraft table for grinding aluminum should be ducted
to a wet collector – not a dry system, and it needs a hydrogen release valve.
There are economical downdraft tables that have these requirements. Q. “Is there a downdraft table made to aerospace specs that’s suitable
for grinding volatile materials?” A. The Tri-Mer Wet Station Downdraft Table is manufactured to
aerospace specifications and is engineered for grinding beryllium, titanium,
magnesium and aluminum. Q. “The link between asthma and oil mist – also metal grinding dust hazards,
and metal grinding dusts diseases – are concerns for operators of grinders,
grinding tables. Are there economical answers?” A. The connection between asthma and oil mist is now well-known. An O/M-1 solves
this problem. Notably, the UAW and the United Steelworkers of America have sued to
force the federal government to set stricter limits on metalworking fluids exposure.
The standard for exposure to oil mists is now 5 mg. of mist per cubic meter of air per
8-hour shift. The lawsuit asserts that the current level can cause serious health problems.
The link between asthma and oil mist is strong, and should be addressed by operators of
grinders, grinding tables and all machines that use lubricants and coolants. In regard to metal grinding dust hazards and metal grinding dust diseases, the solution
is a downdraft table with wet particulate collector. The best down draft tables are
99% efficient at eliminating metal grinding dust hazards – and preventing the
metal grinding dust diseases created by those hazards. Q. Is adowndraft table suitable for “non machining” tasks, such as sanding,
polishing – or powder mixing? A. The Tri-Mer downdraft table is suitable for all of these; if corrosives are present,
polypropylene, rather than mild steel construction, is preferred. Q. “Our shop has several machining operations in a small space.
If a downdraft table has a 3’ X 8 ‘ work surface, will we have to deal
with noise damping?” A. Some downdraft tables in this setting would need enclosures – or barriers
or silencers. Others are designed to be well-within acceptable OSHA noise limits,
and, in even quiet enough for normal conversation.
“This information is for general information purposes only.
For specific applications, please consult Tri-Mer.
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