Ultrasonic Cutting and Indoor Air Pollution

How Fume Extraction Can Help

Early development of ultrasonic cutting dates back to the 1950s when ultrasound for industrial purposes was used for machining tough, brittle materials. In the decade that followed, ultrasound was used for welding, changing the future of industrial manufacturing, a future that would eventually include ultrasonic cutting.

In contrast to other forms of industrial cutting, ultrasonic cutting produces fewer dusts and fumes. But the process is not without some health and safety risks to industrial workers.

Ultrasonic Cutting Defined

Ultrasonic cutting is a method that uses high-frequency vibration to slice through objects. The result is a clean and highly accurate cut produced without force, resistance, or friction. The benefits include a smooth edge, reduction in material damage, and a cleaner workspace. The latter benefit reduces dust and chemical emissions, but not all, therefore, mitigation systems must be in place.

Ultrasonic Cutting Applications

Most manufacturing industries require a cost-effective, fast, and precise means of shaping raw materials into products. But ultrasonic cutting isn’t right for every business – costs can be higher due to the need for custom-built tooling and greater electrical consumption. Furthermore, the method is not suitable for some materials such as glass and soft woods. But many businesses rely on the benefits of ultrasonic cutting, industries and applications such as:

Automotive – plastics and composites for vehicle assembly

Electronics – wires and circuit boards

Food Processing – cake, cheese, meat

Medical – silicone and plastic used in surgical tools, catheters, and insulin pumps

Textiles – nylon and polyester used in clothing, facemasks, and dog leashes

Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Like all industrial cutting methods, the ultrasonic method can release vapors and debris into the air creating an occupational risk to workers. Materials such as composites (VOCs, including formaldehyde), plastics (HAPs, such as hydrogen chloride), and certain textiles (BTEX compounds, including benzene) are common pollutants found in objects cut by ultrasonic cutting.

Negative health effects include short-term symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and irritation of the eye, nose, and throat. But there are also long-term health problems resulting from prolonged exposure – illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions

The potential problems created by unhealthy ultrasonic cutting emissions underscore the importance of clean indoor air. Indoor air quality (IAQ) management should include proper workspace ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment such as goggles and facemasks, as well as the use of air cleaning equipment such as fume extractors with high-efficiency filtration.

Fume extractors (also known as air purifiers, air cleaners, and filtration systems) can help improve IAQ by removing potentially hazardous emissions before they can enter a worker’s breathing space. Our Extract-All® products for source capture and air filtration can help. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our clean air specialists to find out if our fume extraction air cleaning systems are right for you.