From small machine shops to large scale production facilities operating multiple CNC machines, our mist extraction effectively removes oil and coolant mist, fume and steam from the air in precision engineering workshops.

Oil Mist Extraction

Cutting, turning, milling, grinding, and EDM spark erosion are common practice for sub-contract and in-house precision engineers. These applications all include the use of coolants to lubricate and cool the metal bar stock whilst it’s being machined.

Different types of CNC machining coolants, also known as metalworking fluids (MWFs), are used depending on the nature of the material being machined, the speed of the process and the operations being undertaken inside the machine’s enclosure.

These include:

  • Water-soluble/soluble oil coolants - also referred to as emulsions
  • Synthetic coolants - chemical solutions containing no petroleum oil
  • Semi-synthetic coolants - a mix of mineral oil with synthetic additives
  • Straight (neat) cutting oils

All of these substances atomise into a fine mist when sprayed onto components being machined at high speeds and pressures. It is a legal requirement under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2002 that exposure to oil mist is minimised to ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ (ALARP) to protect workers’ health.

Filtermist manufactures, supplies, specifies, commissions and installs oil mist filters for precision engineering companies all over the UK every day. As well as stand-alone oil mist filtration units for individual machine tools, we also supply large scale centralised extraction systems which draw contaminated air from multiple pick-up points, sending it through ducting to one larger oil mist filter and then recirculating or exhausting to atmosphere.

Dust & Fume Extraction

Precision engineering companies may also need effective dust and fume extraction from processes including grinding, deburring, welding and more.

Filtermist manufactures and supplies a wide range of wet and dry dust collectors, as well as downdraft benches. Wet dust collectors are particularly suitable for controlling dust generated when machining exotic metals including titanium, aluminium and magnesium.

Aftermarket Services

We also provide extensive aftermarket services including spares and consumables, routine and reactive maintenance, and COSHH compliant LEV testing for all makes and models of LEV systems used to remove oil mist, dust, smoke and fume from workplace air.

Industrial Vacuum Cleaners

The Kerstar range of industrial vacuum cleaners manufactured and supplied by Filtermist includes models suitable for use in ATEX dust zones 21 and 22, as well as oil and swarf vacuums which can effectively remove liquids and solids from in and around machine tools at the same time.

Metal shavings can quickly mount up. Using a swarf vacuum from Kerstar helps to keep machine shops clean and complies with HSE recommendations to use vacuums rather than sweeping.

Visit our Customer Testimonials page to hear why Filtermist oil mist filters are a firm favourite for UK Precision Engineers: Customer Testimonials

Health and Safety Information

The HSE has published specific guidance on CNC machining, including MW1 – COSHH Essentials for Machining with Metalworking Fluids. This document advises engineers to:

  • Provide local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to the enclosure.
  • This can either be a standalone unit or a centralised system linking two or more machines.

The UKLA (UK Lubrication Association) Metalworking Fluid Product Stewardship Group has produced a ‘Good Practice Guide for Safe Handling and Disposing of Metalworking Fluids’, supported by the HSE.

Download the Good Practice Guide (PDF)

The Guide (current version at the time of writing 2.5) includes a section on controlling exposure to MWF mist which states:

  • It is of paramount importance to provide adequate LEV to remove MWF mist from CNC machine enclosures.
  • It is essential that these systems are fitted and operated effectively.

Visit the HSE website for more information about HSE recommendations for safely working with metalworking fluids.

“Minimising exposure to metalworking fluids is a legal requirement under COSHH Regulations 2002. ”

More information about respiratory diseases caused by exposure to non-metallic minerals can be found on the HSE website.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Once an appropriate mist extraction LEV system has been installed, visual checks should be regularly undertaken to ensure it is performing as intended, and COSHH Regulations require it to be thoroughly tested by a competent person at least once every 14 months.

It is the duty of employers to ensure that the health and safety of employees, as well as others entering their facilities, is protected. Comprehensive risk assessments should be carried out to identify where any potential issues lie, and procedures and policies put into place to control and minimise them. Employers should understand their duties under HSE regulations and should also undertake regular consultations with their team to provide information, instruction and training in relation to their health, safety and welfare.

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