Farr Gold Series® Customer Installation Photos Case Studies Who's Using Farr GS Testimonials Industry Articles

Process Equipment

• Laser cutters (laser tables)
• Plasma cutters (plasma tables)

The cleaning mechanism on the Farr Gold Series Collector was designed specifically for laser and plasma cutting applications. These applications can be one of the most difficult to maintain a stable differential pressure. The enhanced cleaning mechanism is standard on all Farr Gold Series Collectors. The cleaning mechanisms along with the inlet design and Gold Cone® cartridge have given our customers great performance and long media life. We are seeing over 4,000 hours in cartridge life on very difficult laser and plasma applications.

Farr Gold Series on Laser and Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutters are available in portable units much like an acetylene torch as well as CNC controlled plasma tables. The application that this paper addresses is for CNC Plasma tables and laser tables. The molten metal and smoke that is generated from laser and plasma tables is pulled down through the grate. The sparks and molten metal settle out in the area below the grate. The smoke is then removed through the duct work and filtered through the Farr Gold Series Collector.

Safety Considerations

The Farr Gold Series channel baffle inlet should be used to help deflect any sparks that make it to the collector. A spark drop out box should also be considered. A baffle arrangement in the table itself that creates a torturous path for the sparks being generated is also helpful in preventing the sparks reaching the collector. In extreme cases, spark detection and suppression should be considered.

Fire retardant cartridges should always be used in this application, as well as sprinkler heads in the collector itself.

Explosion vents should also be included when cutting aluminum. The collector should be located outside. It is best to have the customer check with his insurance carrier and follow all local regulations and safety standards such as ATEX for the prevention of fire and dust explosions from the manufacturing, processing and handling of combustible particulate solids.