Managing CNC Plasma Cutter Fumes

Crucial Precautions Towards Managing CNC Plasma Cutter Fumes

If you frequently have to cut metals in your line of work and you require precision cutting, a CNC plasma cutting torch will be an extremely valuable tool and Stoney CNC offers some of the most advanced models on the market.

However, precautions are always needed when adding a plasma cutter to your workshop, since it will release quite toxic fumes that must be managed to assure the health and safety of all nearby workers.

There are two main courses of action in managing plasma cutter fumes: getting proper ventilation and getting a specialised cutting table. Let’s overview each of these options in detail:

Proper ventilation is essential in a modern workshop

All modern workshops should feature a proper ventilation system since it’s the first and foremost line of defence against harmful particles and fumes which typically get released in everyday work. Good ventilation is important even if you only use standard torches, but when you’re dealing with a plasma torch cutter it’s vital to ensure adequate air quality – especially since plasma cutters generate highly hazardous fumes that must be controlled to ensure a secure workshop environment.

Adequate ventilation is essential towards ensure adequate airflow inside your workshop, but it’s not sufficient if you want to get a CNC plasma cutter. When you look into purchasing a plasma cutting torch, you should also make sure to get a specialised table that will allow you to use this tool in the safest and secure way possible – which invariably requires having a protected area wherein to use the plasma torch.

Downdraft tables or water tables are essential to safely use plasma cutters

Since using plasma cutting safely system calls for very strict control measures to keep particles and fumes from spreading into the workshop environment, there are two specialized solutions available to you: downdraft tables and water tables, each using a different approach (as suggested by the name).

A downdraft table works by creating an enclosed area that is connected to your air filtration system, in order to effectively constrain all debris and fumes produces while cutting. The residues are continuously sucked out into the air filtration system, which directs the harmful particles away from the working area.

A water table works in a slightly different way; it features a shallow body of water inside which the cutting takes place, meaning that all residues created while cutting don’t spread out into the air but rather are absorbed directly into the water which can then be circulated and disposed of safely.

Plasma cutting torches are extremely useful, but also potentially hazardous. To ensure proper safety, make sure to both install proper ventilation as well as getting either of these specialised cutting tables.