Soldering Ventilation

(a) The fume from the wave soldering machine is leaking to the surrounding although it is enclosed and attached to the local exhaust ventilation system with a capacity of 5000 CFM.
(b) Current local exhaust ventilation system or the portable exhaust fans are found not efficient in extracting the fume during soldering at single workstation.

Do you have any good recommendation to solve the above problems with cost-effective and space-saving technology?

Hi Y

It's somewhat difficult to help you when you don't give one any sizing data nor hood design.

The most IMPORTANT thing about fume capture is to have the fume hood as CLOSE AS POSSIBLE to the source.

A minor point, which determines somewhat the fan static pressure, is the sizing of the ducting ... in your case I'd opt for max. max. 3,000 fpm.

Come back with a sketch ... and I ... and others .... will try to help you better.... OK?

Another point which emerges is the given fan sizing. Are you pluperfectly SURE that the fan is 5,000 cfm? Are you sure that the fan wheel isn't the wrong way around?
(Yup, I've sure seen that, too!) ...I am a great disbeliever, based on experience, of what others tell me.

Freeman Newton - White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Ed. note: Please keep Freeman in your thoughts & prayers. Message from Freeman, Dec. 2010