CO2, YAG and Diode lasers are commonly used to code, mark, etch, engrave, weld or cut components or products which are manufactured from a variety of materials. Hazardous fumes and dust are produced when the substrate, lacquer, paint or coating is marked or cut. Purex systems not only ensure compliance with International Health and Safety Law but also deliver actual cost savings to the production process.

Download PDF spec. sheet

MACHINE FEATURES
1. IQ 2000 system
2. LCD display
3. Quick change HEPA filter
4. Patented concertina pre-filter
5. Castors for mobility
6. Easy access door

FILTER SCHEMATIC
7. Reverse air flow
8. Air equalisation plates
9. Reinforced HEPA element
10. Chemical layer
11. Purified air returned to
workplace

LASER DOWNTIME
Dirty laser lens, proximity sensors and mirrors.
Cause: Insufficient extraction causes contaminants to settle onto laser components which then require cleaning. The result is the loss of valuable production time. Contact with dust particles from the process can also cause the expensive laser lens to fracture.
Solution: Purex ensure that only a suitable extraction system is supplied. Only by using the correct machine specification, extraction point position, nozzle and pipework system can this be achieved.
Mark or code quality is fading or becoming blurred as production is increased.
Cause: Insufficient extraction leads to build up of dust and fume around the product. This adversely affects the laser beam and leads to blurred or faded marks and in turn, to increased reject rates.
Solution: Vacuum flow rates on Purex machines range from 80 to 5000m3/hr. This means a suitable machine is available for most processes. Many systems are also upgradeable if production increases.

Contaminated products.
Cause: Dust from the laser marking process can settle onto the product if inadequate vacuum is created by the extraction system. This can be a major problem and lead to increased reject rates, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries where stringent levels of hygiene are essential.
Solution: Purex machines utilise high pressure pumps to generate the vacuum required to keep products clear of contamination.

Fume extraction level dropping over time.
Cause: As a filter becomes blocked, the extraction level falls. This leads to a build up of contaminants around the product.
Solution: Purex machines feature "Flow Control", microprocessor controlled, high pressure pumps. As a filter becomes blocked, power to the pump is automatically increased so that the extraction rate remains constant.

PERSONNEL ISSUES
Staff complaining about dust and fumes, sick leave increasing or compensation claims possible.
Cause: Inadequate fume extraction allows contaminants to escape into the workplace which can lead to an increase in sick leave, potential compensation claims and poor employee relations. These fumes can cause serious medical conditions such as occupational asthma and cancer.
Solution: Purex systems ensure that contaminants do not escape into the workplace. They ensure compliance with International Health and Safety Law and also employ constant monitoring devices which alert the operator should a breach occur.

PRODUCTION DELAYS
Changing filters.
Cause: Regularly stopping production to change filters can be a time consuming and expensive process. Filter life is directly proportional to the area of filter media and level of vacuum. Filters become blocked more quickly in low pressure extraction systems due to their limited ability to sustain adequate airflow through a partially blocked filter.
Solution: All Purex filters are easily accessible and can be changed (independantly), in seconds without the use of any tools.

The Purex patented concertina pre-filter offers around ten times the life of a normal pre-filter. It prevents premature blockage of the main filter by removing larger particles from the airstream.
In independent tests, the main HEPA filters remove 99.997% of all particles above 0.3 microns and 95% down to 0.01 microns. A chemical layer is also employed to remove gasses from the airstream.

The HEPA/Chemical filters utilise a pleated design which offers greater life than normal filters. A reinforcing membrane allows the use of high pressure pumps that are able to draw air through partially blocked filters for much longer, vastly increasing their life.

HEALTH & SAFETY
Non compliance with regulations.
Cause: Many health and safety regulations worldwide state that "the employer must not expose personnel to substances that are hazardous to health" and "should constantly monitor process exhaust gases for fume and particulate levels". Most fume extraction units only indicate when a filter is blocked and have no safety features to prevent contaminated air being pumped into the workplace should a breach occur.
Solution: Purex systems ensure personnel safety and legal compliance with health and safety regulations by employing gas and particulate sensors to monitor exhaust air. Audible and visible alarms alert the user to any contamination.
Filters not actually working.
Cause: Individual laser processes will generate unique amounts of fumes and dust, therefore filters will become blocked over differing periods of time. Consequently, an average filter change period cannot be given. If an average time is specified, the filter may have become blocked earlier and contaminants may have been pumped into the workplace.
Solution: Purex systems constantly monitor the state of the filter and give audible and visible alerts when a filter is blocked, saturated, damaged or where a seal is compromised. A signal to the laser can also be sent.

LOST PRODUCTION
Cleaning production machinery.
Cause: The lasing of a material can produce large amounts of dust. This dust settles onto production equipment and necessitates periodic cleaning to prevent breakdown. The resulting loss of production can be significant.
Solution: Purex systems remove and contain all contaminants from the process in specially designed, corrosion proof filters.

Corrosion of machinery.
Cause: Some materials, when lased, produce acidic substances which corrode production machinery e.g. Hydrochloric Acid from PVC. In conventional (top loading) fume extraction systems, acid saturates the filters then drips downwards corroding the electrics and motor below.
Solution: Purex cabinets and filters are manufactured from acid resistant materials. Reverse airflow means that the motor and electrical system are positioned at the top of the machine, not in the base, where acid droplets would collect and corrode these components. Reverse airflow also causes air to be drawn upwards through the filters, forcing larger particles to drop out of the airstream, thus preventing premature filter blockage. The patented concertina pre-filter causes acid vapour to coalesce and drip onto an absorbant pad where it is neutralised.

SPARES & MAINTENANCE.
Cause: As a process cannot operate legally without fume extraction, poor customer support can cause problems. Waiting for spares or maintenance for fume extraction units can be expensive in terms of downtime.
Solution: Purex systems are the most reliable on the market. Should the unit require servicing, most procedures can be carried out in minutes with few or no tools required. Purex carry over £1/2 million worth of spares in stock, ensuring that the unit can be serviced as quickly as possible. UK customers enjoy the benefits of a 24 hour response time and worldwide, there is a network of highly trained distributors.

VENTING TO ATMOSPHERE
External emissions regulations.
Cause: Venting of contaminants into the atmosphere is not environmentally friendly. There are also stringent regulations which govern what and how much can be released. These regulations can carry large financial penalties should the limits be exceeded.
Solution: Purex systems capture all contaminants in disposable filters and return purified air to the workplace.

Moving the process.
Cause: In a modern production environment, it is necessary to have flexible production lines that can be moved as the factory grows or the production emphasis is altered. Vent to atmosphere extraction requires extensive, fixed pipework which cannot easily be moved. If moved, this pipework can harbour contaminants which must be cleaned up and made safe. Planning permission is often required to cut holes in the factory roof or walls. These holes must be sealed again if the pipework moves! This lengthy process interrupts valuable production time.
Solution: Purex systems are easily moved on high strength castors. Simply disconnect from the process, move and reconnect!

Excessive heating or air conditioning costs.
Cause: Venting to atmosphere removes heated or conditioned air from the factory, leading to higher energy usage and costs.
Solution: Purex systems return purified air to the workplace in virtually the same conditioned state as when the air entered the machine.