Understanding VOCs

Noxious paint fumes, benzene, acetone- these are all substances commonly used in the industrial sector that can be classified as volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds, commonly abbreviated to just VOCs, are solvents which can evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions due to their high vapor pressure and low water solubility.

Mitigate Particulate Matter with Dust Collection

The phrase ‘particulate matter’, often shortened to just ‘PM’, includes a wide range of airborne particles. In the manufacturing world, PM is an umbrella term used to describe microscopic particles which are generated as a result of common manufacturing processes. There are two types of particulate matter: PM₁₀, which are particles smaller than 10µm, and PM_2.5, which are smaller than 2.5µm. The finer PM particles are small enough to actually be inhaled, making them an alarming health hazard.

Particulate matter (PM) is a term that encompasses a range of air quality hazards. As defined by the EPA, PMs include solid matter like dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, along with some liquid matter like paint and solvents. These particles are generated through all kinds of processes, but they have an exceptionally large presence in the manufacturing industry.

What is Diversitech’s Turnkey System Design?

The word ‘turnkey’ is used to describe a system which is “complete and ready to operate”; meaning that getting started is as easy as turning a key, like you would to start up a car or open a new door. At Diversitech we pride ourselves on our turnkey system design, which makes getting started with our equipment as easy as possible for our customers. We are able to create these highly intuitive solutions thanks to expertise of our in-house engineering design team.

Here at Diversitech we offer a broad range of dust collectors, fume extractors, and other air capture devices to help keep the ambient air in your shop free of hazards. With so many options available, it can be difficult to choose or even know where to start when it comes to selecting the right device for your operations. Today, we’ll be going over some of our most popular air pollution solutions to help narrow down which one is right for you.

Downdraft Tables Capture Contaminants at the Source

If your manufacturing process is generating particulate matter, you can’t go wrong with Diversitech’s DD Downdraft Table. Downdraft tables are standalone workstations equipped with a ventilated working surface which resembles a metal grate. While you work, a blower motor attached to the table vacuums up airborne contaminants through the ventilated work surface before they can negatively impact the air quality of your production facility, then deposits the contaminants into a dust collection receptacle. We refer to this as capture-at-source technology. Our downdraft tables are compliant with dust, smoke, and welding fumes capturing guidelines as defined by OSHA, so when you choose Diversitech you know you’re investing in a worthwhile safety measure for your workplace.

Our standard DD downdraft tables are well suited to be used for all kinds of cutting, fusing, and finishing operations. However, we do also offer application-specific kits which are designed to provide the most effective dust collection for certain operations. One of these is the welding/grinding/deburring (WGD) kit, which comes outfitted with booth walls and a metal mesh pre-filter for enhanced dust capture. The spray painting kit is equipped with the same booth walls, but also has an additional paint arrestor pre-filter, polytech filters, and reversible carbon canister afterfilters, along with a greater ventilation area on the tabletop surface. This same tabletop with added ventilation is what’s used on our plasma cutting kit. Lastly, the clean air workstation kit includes side and back walls, a dust and vapor proof light kit for improved visibility, and a backdraft hood. Get a closer look at our different models here.

Many industrial practices result in the creation of a byproduct known as combustible dust. This comes from a wide range of operations and industries- sand handling in foundries, grinding operations in metalworking, even waste conveying in woodwork can result in the production of combustible dust. While the idea of dust might seem like nothing to worry about, combustible dust poses an alarming risk to workplace safety. What defines combustible dust is its ability to cause an explosion when exposed to any form of ignition, regardless of its physical or chemical composition. This means that charcoal, aluminum, some resins, and even powdered milk can be considered forms of combustible dust. A combustible dust’s risk factor is measured by a value called KST: any form of dust that has a KST greater than zero is considered to pose a risk for explosion. The ignition of combustible dust is sadly not unheard of, and has proven to cause significant destruction of workplaces, lead directly to worker injury, and has even taken lives. It is not an issue to be understated or overlooked by any means.

The premiere event for businesses in the metal fabricating industry, FABTECH Expo is North America’s largest and most respected trade show for metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing. Providing a catalyst for growth across the industry, FABTECH offers employers the tools to see their business thrive.

This past September, teams from both Diversitech and Absolent America traveled across the continent to gather in Portland, Oregon where they participated in three (3) days of organizational and team building sessions, and toured the Portland Community College (PCC) along with the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC).

MONTREAL

On Friday, July 29, Diversitech hosted its first ever Family Day at its head office in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This event was open to all Diversitech employees and their immediate families. Everyone in attendance enjoyed a sun-drenched afternoon filled with great food, entertainment, and prizes including a Microsoft Xbox Console.

A tour of our facility was given to all visitors while a balloon magician and face painter were on site to entertain children (and some adults too). Inflatable soccer and basketball nets, along with a bouncy castle, were among the many fun outdoor activities. An ice cream stand was available for those who wanted to enjoy a refreshing desert after a delicious BBQ lunch.

Many thanks to the Diversitech Social Committee for conceptualizing and planning this great event!

JOIN THE ABSOLENT AIR CARE GROUP FAMILY

Absolent Air Care Group AB is pleased to announce that it has acquired all shares in Quatro Air Technologies Inc. including its subsidiary Aerofil Inc., headquartered in Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada.