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FUME EXTRACTION SYSTEMS FOR WELDING ROBOTS

 

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) data, the number of industrial robots in operation increased from 3 million 904 thousand in 2022 to 4 million 282 thousand last year.

Again according to IFR data, the number of industrial robots in operation in Turkiye was 26 thousand 413 units in 2023 with an increase of 15% compared to the previous year. Of course, not all of these are welding robots.

The use of robots in production is increasing rapidly in Turkiye as in the whole world. Unfortunately, many of the robots used in welded manufacturing do not have fume extraction systems.

However, these robots, which provide more arc time than manual welding processes, cause much more particles to be emitted into the working environment. These welding fume particles produced by robots actually damage the robots themselves. These particles penetrate the sensitive mechanical and electronic parts of the robots and increase the failure rates.

Let's take a quick look at fume extraction systems in welding robots.

 

   1. Fume extraction from robots working inside the cell: Some welding robots operate in completely enclosed cells. If these cells are designed correctly, there should be a pipe connection on the upper side and there should be grilles of appropriate size on the lower side of the walls of the cell to allow outside air to enter. Please consult our experts for the calculation of the required air flow rate for a completely closed cell.

        On the upper side, a pipe connection is made through the pipe connection hole and smoke suction is provided to a filter unit.  Ambient air enters naturally through the air inlet grilles on the underside of the cell walls. In some cases, all or part of the clean air from the filter unit can be fed back into the cell at very low speeds from the floor level of the cell.

 

 

Some robot cells are designed with a completely open top. Different fume extraction systems can be designed for such cells.

Fume extraction can be provided with a hood. Please contact our experts for flow rate calculation according to the size of the hood and the height at which it will be hung.

 

If parts are to be loaded continuously from the top with a crane, mobile hoods can be designed.

 

 

The cell roof can be opened/closed completely. Thus, material transfer from the top can be done easily and when this ceiling, which is also designed as a hood, is closed, smoke extraction can be done in a healthy way.

 

 

High vacuum extraction can be provided through the torch. Please check our high vacuum products.

 

 

If the design is suitable, fume extraction can be provided from the bottom.
If the robot is slider type, hood connection can be made using special suction ducts.

Please check BLIND

 

A small push-pull device can be installed inside the cell. 

 

 

2. Fume extraction from robots operating in a completely open environment: There are different options to absorb the welding fumes produced by such robots.
Fume extraction can be provided with a hood. Detailed calculations are required when designing the hood. Please contact our experts for flow rate calculation according to the size of the hood and the height at which it will be hung.

 

If parts are to be loaded continuously from the top with a crane, mobile extraction hoods can be designed.
High vacuum extraction can be provided through the torch
If the design is suitable, extraction can be provided from the bottom.
If the robot is slider type, hood connection can be made using special extraction ducts.

 

Robot integrators can also design very different systems according to the demands of their customers. Whatever the design, we always have a solution to absorb and filter welding fumes at the highest level.

We can also produce efficient solutions for different applications such as plasma/laser cutting robots, grinding robots, painting robots.

Companies investing in robots should definitely proceed by taking into account fume and dust extraction systems before their orders. Much more successful results can be obtained when fume and dust extraction system design is added at the beginning of the design.

Robot integrators should definitely cooperate with expert companies for fume and dust extraction system designs.

 

HiVent Technology, 18/11/2024, Ankara