Should I Use Individual Dust Collector Units Or A Centralized System To Collect Weld Fumes?

This answer hinges on two key details about your operation: how valuable is your floor space and what is your potential for growth? The size and layout of your operation might play a considerable role, as well. Let’s look at the benefits of both options.

Benefits of a centralized dust collection system:

• Optimizes floor space - If floor space is precious, then a centralized system located on the ceiling or outside is a great option. A powerful unit such as the RoboVent Senturion dust collector can capture dust and fumes from an extensive centralized system with many intake points.
• Lowers maintenance costs - Fewer service points, in centralized systems, lead to lower maintenance costs than an array of individual dust collection units.
• Creates efficiencies - Centralized systems also make it easier to monitor the network, track its performance and make adjustments where necessary. Over time, this data collection, as well as the chance to use more automated controls, can generate major cost savings.
• Provides flexibility - If you might be changing your layout or expanding your production in the near future, a centralized system would better suit your needs. A well-designed centralized system could hold capacity for many welding stations, and adding these stations would be much easier than if they had to be paired with new individual dust collectors, as well. For example, RoboVent’s Grid Configuration uses modular, standardized ductwork that can be reconfigured easily as your needs change.

Benefits of using individual dust collection systems:

• Saves money in certain situations - Welding operations that use only a few stations might be able to collect their fumes quickly and efficiently using standalone collectors. Such an arrangement would avoid the need for ductwork and avoid higher installation costs.
• Avoids overkill - If your operation only produces a modest amount of weld fumes, individual dust collectors, such as RoboVent’s Spire units, could capture them effectively.
• Saves energy - Centralized systems need to move air throughout an entire facility, which uses a lot of power. If your facility only needs a few individual dust collectors, you could save money on energy.
• Allows for odd layouts - If your welding stations are few and far apart, a centralized system with lots of ductwork might not make sense. A few well-placed standalone dust collectors would work well in this situation.
• Provides options for transport - If your dust collectors might be moved to another facility, individual units are obviously the way to go.