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If metal processing companies want to protect their employees and equipment, then filter technology plays an essential part for automated processes. Clausthaler Laser- und Werkstofftechnik GmbH agrees with this statement. After adding fiber laser cutting of pipes to its portfolio, an extraction plant cleans the air from hazardous substances using innovative filter technology.No new business area without modern filter technology: That was clear for Clausthaler Laser- und Werkstofftechnik GmbH (CLW) right from the start. Increasing cost pressures previously forced CLW to rethink its strategy.

Welding fumes affect the lungs and are toxic or carcinogenic. The health consequences for the welder depend mainly on the composition of welding fumes. Science differentiates between three effects.The hazardous substances in welding fumes created during welding are formed of several components: Basic and supplementary materials, inert gases, coatings, contamination and ambient air. Prerequisite for the formation of hazardous substances are certain physical and/or chemical processes. This includes: Evaporation, condensation, oxidation, decomposition, pyrolysis and combustion.

Thermal cutting generates harmful substances which are hazardous to health. A range of parameters influence the emission of harmful substances – and thus the potential for damage to health.
The work processes for thermal cutting are always developing.  In combination with the use of new work materials, it is thus essential that measures for employee protection in the workplace with regards to damage to health are continuously optimized and improved – this also applies for thermal cutting.

Every metal processor should know these days that welding fumes are harmful.  Yet, one question gets asked over and over again: What are welding fumes exactly? Just looking at the composition gives an indication of what hazards are behind welding fumes and why welding fume extraction is important.

Nitrous gases are often responsible for acute poisoning when welding. They occur during gas welding and arc welding processes. Due to current occupational medicine findings, the occupational exposure limits for nitrous gases were significantly lowered in May 2016.

The quality of an extraction hood is of utmost importance to ensure that welders accept the welding fumes extraction system. Thanks to a special design, the extraction hood with flange requires 40% less repositioning than standard extraction hoods. It is not just the flange that distinguishes it from standard systems. 

Occupational safety during welding is prescribed by law. To this day, however, some companies still use no effective equipment for occupational safety such as extraction plants. We are talking to Marco Baumgärtner about what he finds out when visiting companies, how he conducts conversations and what the trends are. The Area Sales Manager for Southern Germany in interview with KEMPER GmbH.

Wherever welding takes place, an extraction table is normally not far off. It is not just used as a material support, but also ensures the safety of the employees from the large fine dust volumes when operating the cutting plant - seven facts on what makes an effective extraction table.