ProEnergy’s turbine overhaul and repair facility installs custom dual downdraft tables for weld fume and dust collection
ProEnergy’s turbine overhaul and repair facility installs custom dual downdraft tables for weld fume and dust collection
ProEnergy’s 900,000 square foot corporate campus in Sedalia Missouri provides repair services and manufactures equipment for the power generation and oil & gas industries. After learning about the project Diversitech completed at Dresser Rand in Houston Texas, ProEnergy sought Diversitech’s expertise to develop a similar solution for the reconditioning of turbine blades. The downdraft tables were installed in the turbine services facility where operators repair and refurbish turbines by grinding, deburring and TIG welding various steel parts.
After reviewing ProEnergy’s project requirements, Diversitech’s application engineering department designed a custom downdraft table workstation to accommodate their welders and operators. The downdraft table includes a downdraft and backdraft suction to allow for weld fume and deburring dust to be removed higher from the table surface. The tables incorporate an 8600 CFM 15HP blower with 6 nanofiber filter cartridges to power the dual workstation system.
The downdraft table workstations were ergonomically designed so that operators could comfortably sit at the table with kick space for their legs. Explosion proof light kits were specified for each work cell along with sound attenuation media on the inner walls to reduce noise levels for workers. A blue cushion grid mat was also placed on the surface of the steel bar grating to prevent parts from getting damaged or scratched. 110v outlets were strategically installed on the table to provide power for hand deburring and finishing tools.
Shelving was installed on the sidewalls of the table to provide space for weld consumables and abrasive discs with weld wire and grinder holders. The downdraft tables also included a manual height adjustment feature, to allow for the unit to move up or down for various work pieces and operators.
Diversitech understood ProEngery’s unique application and indoor air quality issues, and designed a system that would fit the operator rather than providing a standard inflexible solution. Our application engineering team is ready to design a flexible cost-effective system for your air filtration application.
GE Aviation’s additive manufacturing facility installs a wet downdraft table to collect 3D printing dust
GE Aviation’s additive manufacturing facility installs a wet downdraft table to collect 3D printing dust
GE Aviation’s additive manufacturing facility in Cincinnati Ohio is focused on producing 3D printed parts for use in advanced turbofan jet engines. One of the parts produced is a 3D printed fuel nozzle, a critical component of the LEAP jet engine. The plant uses a variety of different 3D printing machines including direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), Electron-beam melting (EBM), Selective Laser Melting (SLM) along with other types of 3D printing processes.
These parts are frequently produced from exotic metal alloys including, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, cobalt chrome and stainless steel. In order to prevent fires and combustible dust explosion hazards from 3D printing dust, GE Aviation required a solution that would protect their workforce from the dangers of explosive dust.
Following a site visit by Diversitech’s local representative, a wet downdraft table system was custom designed for their specific deburring and finishing application. The table was divided into 6 workstations, each with a work area of 32” deep by 42” wide with side and back walls and middle dividers to contain the airborne dust. The tables were ducted to two W5000 CFM wet dust collectors with dual silencers and hydrogen vent fans to exhaust flammable hydrogen gas produced as the metal dust oxidizes in the collector’s water reservoir.
The downdraft table was ergonomically designed so that operators could comfortably sit at the table with kick space for their legs. Explosion proof light kits were specified for each work cell along with sound attenuation media on the inner walls to reduce noise levels for workers. A blue cushion grid mat was also placed on the surface of the steel bar grating to prevent parts from getting damaged.
Diversitech’s application engineering department is capable of providing a tailored solution for your 3D printing finishing dust collection application and can custom design a downdraft table work area to meet your specific needs. Companies know that combustible metal dust is a serious workplace hazard and that employees and property need to be protected from the risk of dust fires and explosions. Diversitech has the experience and the team to design the right dust collection system to suit your specific needs.
Central New Mexico Community College selects 53′ Mobile Welding Trailer with Downdraft Tables
Central New Mexico Community College selects 53′ Mobile Welding Trailer with Downdraft Tables
The Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, New Mexico was looking for a mobile welding lab with eight welding stations to train new students. As a leading educational institution, it was important for CNM to procure the best custom welding lab built into a 53’ welding trailer. The toxic fumes and sparks created by the welding process needed to be captured and filtered before reaching the student’s breathing zone.
Diversitech manufactured the mobile welding trailer’s downdraft tables, which includes 8 2×4 downdraft tables equipped with nanofiber filters and welding kits which includes side & back walls, metal mesh pre-filters and a grounding lug.
Along with downdraft suction to remove welding fumes, the tables include dampered backdraft hoods so that the table would remove fumes higher off the worksurface. The downdraft benches also came with a 3 HP 2600 CFM blower to ensure enough capture velocity to maintain clean air in the mobile welding lab.
To run the downdraft table’s reverse pulse self-cleaning system, a 5 HP air compressor was installed in the front of the trailer along with 2 air conditioning units to maintain a comfortable environment in the welding lab.
After the CNM mobile welding trailer delivered, the college was impressed with the quality and performance of their new mobile welding shop. Diversitech and its partner itd are ready to take on any of your custom welding trailer applications, Contact us today for a detailed proposal.
Kubota seeks custom solution for welding and grinding dust
Kubota seeks custom solution for welding and grinding dust
Kubota Materials Corporation located in Orillia, Ontario is a world-class manufacturer of high quality alloy-steel castings and assemblies. The company was looking for a solution for dealing with welding smoke and grinding dust being generated from their finishing work on sand-cast products. For Kubota, it was critical to find a way to eliminate the dust and fumes from grinding and welding stainless steel pipes to better protect workers.
Many of these products are used throughout the Oil & Gas, Steel & Aluminum fabrication and the Mining industry.
Diversitech visited their facility, and spoke to operators and engineering to come up with a custom solution to handle their unique application. A custom downdraft table was chosen as the optimal solution to remove welding fumes and grinding dust from their workspace.
After careful evaluation, Diversitech’s engineering group designed a reinforced 3′ x 6′ downdraft table rated for heavy 1000 lbs parts. The machine was equipped with a low profile 32” high table for ergonomic operation along with an electronic height adjustment system including 4 hydraulic pistons. The actuators allow operators to operate the table at the preferred height depending on the dimensions of their work-pieces. A custom side shroud was incorporated to capture and direct grinding sparks and dust down in the table and two front cut-outs provide suction even when working off of the ventilated table surface.
After initially installing two of these 3′x6′ custom downdraft tables, Kubota achieved an improvement in plant air quality, and an increase operator comfort They approved an additional four 3′x6′ downdraft tables for the other workstations.
Boeing Faces Problems with Deburring Dust Control
Boeing faces problems with deburring dust control
Boeing’s facility in Wichita, Kansas was facing problems dealing with dust control created during deburring and finishing of certain aluminum components. As a premier manufacturer of commercial and military aircraft, it was important to them to find a way to contain the aluminium dust.
The process of deburring aluminum removes sharp edges and excess material from the components being produced.
When we visited the facility, operators were deburring on tables with no ventilation and were forced to wear uncomfortable face masks to prevent dust inhalation.
After careful evaluation, we recommended a 2′ x 4′ downdraft table equipped with extended overhang, lexan side & back walls, and explosion proof motors. The extended overhang table was key to operator comfort, giving them the ability to sit comfortably with legs under the table for an entire shift. The lexan side & back walls were used to ensure good visibility through the facility, and the explosion proof motors were specified to reduce the hazard in the presence of aluminum dust.
After initially installing four of these 2’x4′ extended overhang tables, the staff at Boeing were so pleased with the improved air quality, dust control, and workstation comfort that they requested additional 3’x6′ and 3’x8′ custom downdraft tables for other deburring processes.
