Originally Published EMDM November/December 2001
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Manufacturing Equipment
Fume Extraction System Reduces Toxins, Extends Machinery Life
A fume extraction
system has applications in laser marking, coding, welding, and cutting. Hi-Tech
UK (Rotherham, S Yorks, UK) supplies Laserex, which the company describes as
the only fume extraction system capable of neutralizing the toxic and corrosive
materials generated when marking, cutting, or welding PVC and PET. These particular
plastics are used in a wide variety of products in the medical device industry,
including wrappers, bottles, and tablet blister packs.
“The importance
of an effective fume extraction and purification system is often underestimated,”
says Phil Mullins, managing director of Hi-Tech UK. “At first glance [fumes]
may not seem to be a problem, but in a plant coding millions of products per
week, the volume of dust and fumes generated is considerable,” he says,
adding that welding and cutting produce hazardous dust and fumes that may cause
long-term illnesses like cancer and occupational asthma.
The Laserex system
has been specifically designed to combat the harsh conditions caused by marking
or coding plastics. PVC and PET release both particles and fumes when marked
with a laser. The particles are sticky and can block normal filters within minutes.
The fumes released are toxic, and include hydrogen chloride and benzene. Hydrogen
chloride fumes are a particular problem, as they combine with moisture in the
air to form hydrochloric acid, which attacks and corrodes machinery.
Hi-Tech UK’s
systems prevent corrosion in a unique way. Hydrochloric acid is removed from
the atmosphere and condenses inside the prefilter to form a liquid that is absorbed
safely in a specially positioned chemical pad. The Laserex machine itself is
manufactured from chemically resistant materials to prevent corrosion.
Benjamin Lichtman
Copyright ©2001 European Medical Device Manufacturer
