Filtermist Systems Limited is gearing up to showcase a host of clean air innovations that have been introduced during the forced four-year interval between the last MACH exhibition and the upcoming show in April.
The Telford based company is heading to MACH 2022 with a simple message for manufacturers…everything required to create and maintain ‘clean air’ working environments can now be accessed in one place – making it easy to protect people from exposure to harmful airborne contaminants and ensure compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.
Providing effective oil mist and fume extraction for companies that undertake metalworking operations remains at the heart of Filtermist’s business. This issue is particularly pertinent right now as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is continuing with its Fabricated Metals Inspection Programme in the run-up to MACH in an effort to reduce exposure to metalworking fluids and welding fume.
Divisional Sales Director Craig Woodward comments, “HSE Inspectors are currently visiting premises to check that effective control measures are being used to minimise exposure to hazardous substances. We work with customers throughout the UK to ensure their workshops are free from potentially harmful airborne oil mist by specifying the best solution for their specific requirements.
“Individual Filtermist filters are the best option for some customers, whereas others will prefer static filter media units from our sister company Absolent AB. These can be fitted as stand-alone items or can be ducted into a central system if required. We have extensive experience of a huge variety of applications and individual installation requirements and can offer tailored solutions to fit all needs and budgets.
“All Filtermist units installed for end-users by our dedicated install engineers include the first service as part of the package, and every single Filtermist that we sell comes with a free five-year warranty. This is testimony to the confidence we have in the quality of the products that we manufacture in Telford.”
Filtermist will also be showing its Bluetooth enabled F Monitor 2 & 2+ – a monitoring device designed to make it easy for machine operators to spot if their Filtermist oil mist filter needs servicing. This product was originally launched at EMO 2019, but is yet to make its UK debut due to the pandemic.
“All Filtermist units we install in the UK are fitted with an F Monitor 2,” advises Craig. “COSHH regs require machine operators to report any potential issues with control measures ‘forthwith’ – the F Monitor’s traffic light system makes this simple as one glance and the operator can immediately spot any potential issues.”
Dustcheck wet and dry dust collectors
In addition to its market leading UK manufactured centrifugal oil mist filters, the company will be showcasing a range of new products as CEO James Stansfield elaborates:
“Dustcheck was a relatively new addition to Filtermist’s product portfolio back in 2018 – fast forward four years and the brand is thriving. We acquired the rights to manufacture Carter Wet Dust Collectors (also known as Wet Scrubbers) back in 2019 and have since reorganised to include this range in the product offering from Dustcheck.
“Dustcheck’s Wet Dust Collectors use water and air pressure to ‘scrub’ dust from the air. Wet Dust Collectors send the dust through a water spray then, using gravity, dust is separated from the water and the dust can be removed. Dustcheck’s range can be used on metal finishing applications such as grinding, finishing and fettling, where the materials used could include aluminium, titanium, magnesium etc. which may present a fire or explosion risk. We offer four models of wet collector, the most popular of which is the NonFlam Series.
“The Dustcheck brand also includes dry dust collectors which are popular in the metal industry. These include venting and extraction solutions for applications including grinding, bulk silo venting, foundry shake out, casting and polishing.”
Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners
Kerstar was another 2019 acquisition made by Filtermist. Kerstar industrial vacuums have been manufactured in the UK for more than 60 years and are a firm favourite in a wide range of industries. The product range includes ATEX rated models, Type H machines which are suitable for hazardous dusts, and Swarf and Coolant Vacuums widely used in the metalworking industry.
Vacuuming at source reduces the risk of injury caused by manual clean down and helps to protect machine operators from irritation, rashes and dermatitis which can be common amongst people exposed to metalworking fluids.
A KSV 45/2 W will be on show at MACH. This model is specifically designed to pick up engineering coolant (suds) and metal chippings
The motor unit is protected by a ball float system to cut off the suction – preventing over filling of the canister with liquid. The float cage is surrounded with a perforated steel filter to prevent swarf being sucked into the vacuum motors. A perforated steel basket that holds the metal chippings/swarf sits inside the canister and a lifting handle makes it easy to remove for emptying, whilst a drain hose and stopper enable all liquid to easily be drained from the canister.
The KEVA range from Kerstar is also a valuable addition to many workplaces – particularly those that generate potentially hazardous dusts such as companies involved in additive manufacturing.
KEVA vacuums are purposely designed to pick up potentially explosive and conductive dust and debris in a Gas Zone 2 and Dust Zone 22, as well as dust and debris that is hazardous to health in a Gas Zone 2 and a Dust Zone 22. All models are built using an electronically commutated brushless motor featuring soft start and thermal protection.
Each model in the range is equipped with three stages of filtration on the negative pressure (suction) side of the motor.
“The Kerstar range has been developed to meet the requirements of a wide range of industrial applications,” comments Product Manager Ben Kimpton. “We included a KSV swarf vac on Filtermist’s stand at EMO Milan last year and it proved really popular. We actually use one of these in the area around a spinning machine in our own factory so we know first-hand how useful it is!
“The whole Kerstar team is really excited about the upcoming MACH show as it will be the first opportunity we’ve had to introduce the range to end-users in the UK’s manufacturing industry.”
All Dustcheck and Kerstar products are manufactured at Filtermist’s Telford HQ and both brands have recently undergone a refresh to help cement their positions in their respective markets. Kerstar has also just launched a brand-new website and finalised the move of production from its previous base in Northampton to Filtermist’s Telford HQ.
Aftersales
In addition to introducing new products, Filtermist has also reorganised its Aftersales department to ensure customers benefit from the best customer service possible. Dedicated teams look after oil mist and dust customers to ensure they remain COSHH compliant, as Jo Morris, Director of Group Shared Services, explains; “Fitting effective extraction is vital, but COSHH regulations also stipulate that anyone using LEV systems is legally required to maintain them and have them thoroughly tested and examined at least once every 14 months by a competent person. As a business, we are continuing to invest heavily in external qualifications to ensure our employees have the knowledge and skills they need to deliver a first-class service to all of our customers.”
“The past four years have been extremely busy and we’re confident that both existing and potential customers will value the full offering we provide to UK manufacturing and engineering firms,” concludes James.
“Creating a ‘clear air’ workshop has so many more benefits than just meeting legislation. It has been proven to improve morale and increase productivity, whilst also reducing staff sickness. MACH is one of our biggest shows and we’re delighted to be presenting the full Filtermist range to an industry that needs to take more strides towards delivering cleaner factory and production facilities.
“Our turnkey solution gives customers a simple way of accessing the latest technology and the unrivalled might that comes with being part of Absolent Air Care Group. That’s a pretty powerful combination and this is reflected in continuing demand for our offer from customers throughout the UK.”
Visit Filtermist on Stand 430, Hall 6 at MACH at the NEC from 4th-8th April.
For further information, please visit www.filtermist.co.uk or follow @filtermistuk on twitter
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