As close to the source as possible: 5 reasons why welders should rely on pull-out torches

For a long time, the extraction torch had been far from the focus of welders and occupational safety experts. To date, low vacuum extraction by means of an extraction arm and extraction bell is probably the most widely used source extraction method to extract welding fumes directly at the point of origin. However, a new development in the industry shows that opinions in the metal processing industry are gradually changing. Consequently, the market demand for such solutions also fuels the suspicion that extraction solutions are once again in demand. The following five reasons show why it is worthwhile for today's welders to address the issue of extraction torches.

New extraction torches combat the persistent myth

It is cumbersome to use, difficult to handle simply because of its weight: even today, myths about using extraction torches persist in the minds of welders. After all, extraction torches have been on the market for quite some time, but they were never considered a true means of origin extraction. However, recent developments show that things are improving. The new extraction torches promise easier handling due to reduced weight. Along with the welding wire, current, protective gas, and cooling water, the extracted air is fed into a hose that is now much lighter and more flexible.

Extraction torches at the top of the extraction hierarchy.

The closer the welding flue-gas extractions are to the point of origin, the more effective the capture of dangerous substances will be. This prevents them from spreading to the respiratory area around the welders or even to the room air. Torch extractions are therefore at the forefront of the hierarchy of protective measures for welding fumes.

Within the group of extractions at origin, the extraction torches are closer to the point of origin. While extraction nozzles or extraction bells are placed comparatively far from the point of origin, simply to avoid disturbing the work of the welders, the extraction torch uses extraction openings arranged directly behind the gas nozzle. No other source of extraction comes this close to the point of origin.

Automatic repositioning provides automatic occupational safety

Compared with other extraction sources, extraction torches have a great advantage: welders carry them automatically. With smoke extraction by means of extraction arm or extraction nozzles, the extraction systems are not integrated into the welding torch units but are separate. Therefore, welders must reposition the extraction unit manually. The integration of extraction into the torch means that the extraction opening of the extraction torches is always at the source.

Optimal coordination of extraction capacity for torches

Extraction torches should have two different functions: on the one hand, welding fumes should be extracted as completely as possible at the point of origin. On the other hand, the gas protective envelope required for an optimal welding cord result should not be affected. In this context, it is not sufficient to simply establish an arbitrary extraction capacity. Optimal coordination of extraction capacity at certain parameters, especially the distance from the extraction opening to the torch is essential. But this is precisely where the difficulty lies, because each torch has different extraction requirements. For an effective interaction between welding fume capture and protective gas preservation, it is precisely these correlations that are crucial.

Digital added value through the new extraction torch for welders

Extraction torches provide digital added value precisely to solve these challenges. There is currently a system on the market which incorporates all the important parameters of conventional welding torches and, on this basis, automatically adjusts the optimum extraction capacity. The welders simply select their welding torch in the system and the unit automatically adjusts to the correct extraction capacity.