plasma cutter air filter idea!!!

[brucer]

ive looked at these plasmas a little waiting for my 40i to get here...

one of the common problems is contaminants getting into the cases in electrical equipment and arcing and causing premature failure.. grinding dust and metal fragments being such contaminants, plasma cutting produces metal fragments itself....

has anyone figure out an air filter to mount on the front of the machine yet? wouldnt be to difficult, a piece of sheetmetal bent up and riveted to the front panel than an airfilter, or even a scotchbrite pad.. i dont think it would block to much air to be detrimental..

just thought i'd share an idea.
it might be something Longevtiy could add into the design on future models, or atleast test to see if it would obstruct too much airflow and cause damage..

maybe someone else can throw some input in on the subject?

[Gadget]

The air flow is out the front vents. The fan sucks air in from the back. You could cut a furnace filter and tape it to the back. Keep an eye on it though, you don't want it to reduce airflow too much.

[brucer]

well you can tell i havent got the 40i yet then...i would have thought it would pull air through the front..
either way a simple sheetmetal bracket and slide in an airfilter..

[KHK]

If you are going to put an air filter on the machine, mount it on the back of the machine. The air flow is from back to front. It vents out the sides and the front.

[brucer]

thats wierd..
i thought most electrical cabinets pulled fresh air through them..

the cnc mills i've worked on in the past the fans pull fresh air into the cabinet then a fan on the opposite side of the cabinet pulls the air through the cabinet to create a circulation..

on a computer. if you have a fan in the front of your case it is a puller, to pull air into the case, the rear fan is a puller that pulls the warm air out of the case, together they effectively circulate fresh air across your motherboard and exhaust the heat out the rear of the case...

i guess plasma cutters are different.. probably a reason behind it.

[Gadget]

The fan blows directly on the heat sinks for the IGBT units. If it were to pull through the unit the heat sinks may not get enough air flow.

[tigqk]

I was amazed at how much air these Longevity welders put out, that I have to direct the air from the front of the welder the opposite way that I am welding.The material used on the new style 3m furnace air filter could work, or even getting the reusaeble flat air filters that can be washed and reused for performance cars can't think of the make offhand, but some type of frame would have to be made.I have just been blowing through mine every time I have had it apart.

[brucer]

yea that was what i was talking about. like that blueish filter material.. you could make a small sheetmetal bracket and get a piece of that filter material at lowes or home depot.. it would stop from sucking in all those minute metal fragments that destroy electronic components...

while your using a plasma cutter you have the particles it produces floating around, while your grinding that stuff goes all over the place, everything to stop that from entering a welder or plasma cutter will help with the longevity (no pun intended) of the machine..

i bet they make a small filter cage that would fit. you could make a small sheet metal bracket that bolts right to where the fan mounts..

especially for these guys using the cnc plasmas, because that stuff gets plain nasty over time..

[SICFabrications]

that's odd.... ive not run across a welding machine to date that has a cooling fan air filter (except my diesel engine drive, but thats a whole nother beast).... once a month, ALL the machines in my shop get torn down, blown out, liners replaced, back caps, lenses, etc... worked and either cleaned or replaced.... prolly one of the reasons why i rarely have a machine lay down while in the middle of a job.... i cant afford down time whether it be a truck or machine... change the oil on the truck/ clean out the welding machines....

the air filter might be an idea, but it would have to be made from a flame retardant material..... sparks WILL get where sparks shouldnt be.... ever had a lil spatter get in your ear while welding? i would hate to see a machine with a makeshift filter on it burn up cause ya caught the filter on fire and the fan feeding the flames and ya never knew cause yer hood was down