Dust, danger and food
The CNC has demonstrated admirable dust-creation potential, we probably don't want this dust to get into the food or anywhere near the metalworking machines or to spread over the whole space. Cameron offered to get a dust extractor which will help a lot
The laser cutter also can create pretty toxic fumes, so needs to be vented.
Lets start planning how to keep this at bay, what changes we want to make to the space to manage it and how we're gunna do them
JeffKB Thu 22 Jun 2017 11:47AM
I do agree with you, numerous people told me the same thing, that I could resume as: "we are here to do good stuff, not to breathe bad stuff".
I admit I didn't breathe well wednesday and tonight, not enough to be really a problem but enough to make me a bit wary of the immediate future (and the appeal of the space to potential new members).
Joran, will the equipment provided by Cameron be enough to keep the CNC dust out of our nostrils?
We had the idea of putting a bloc under the curtain in order to plug the extractors' pipes outside of the room. Is it still part of the plan? Do we have what we need at the space or would we need to buy some stuff for that?
kitkate Thu 22 Jun 2017 9:27PM
There are small floor units that can be installed in the work area. They were 500$ new in the US, dunno if available on trade me.
I'm kinda uncomfortable with the food preparation area next to the CNC and couches as well. I don't think it's healthy to make coffee or snacks on a production floor and am thinking we should resolve that before having the kettles and coffee maker in the area.
Jorån Kikke Thu 22 Jun 2017 11:48PM
Have moved the ghetto-kitchen to where the couches are, against the stairs, away from the metal chips and wood dust
Cameron is alright with paying for an extractor floor unit thing, but I think we might need to build a settler/cyclone
A professional CNC installer was at the space yesterday and suggested this, as well as having filters on the extractor for the very fine stuff
kitkate Fri 23 Jun 2017 12:04AM
That will be a big improvement. I think you are right that it will need both a way to get the dust to settle and extract from area
jolyon Fri 23 Jun 2017 12:22AM
Courtenay and I were talking about dividing the router off with walls. He suggested plastic curtains that hang from the ceiling and zip together. Can be rolled up and velcro'd to the ceiling when not needed to open the space up.
See through would be cool because it's cool to be able to see the machine when it's working.
Other bonus: Cheap :)
JeffKB Fri 23 Jun 2017 8:23PM
It seems to be a good option!
I presume too that, when all the curtains are closed, the sound of the CNC will be reduced for the rest of the room.
For the Cyclone/Settler, are we speaking about that kind of extractor (circa $260)? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-300MM-CYCLONE-DUST-FUME-EXTRACTOR-VENTILATION-FAN-5M-PVC-DUCTING-/201803377839
Mr CK Fri 23 Jun 2017 10:17PM
That looks to me like just an extractor fan and flexi hose.
it would also need some form of dust extraction, e.g. a cyclone that separates out heavier particles and some type of very fine filter to catch the really small particles that will remain airborne. Someone mentioned a HEPA filter. Not sure if that is industry standard or just a really good idea because the space is not a dedicated wood processing plant, but we don't want everyone to have to wear a respirator just to hang out and hack their thingsamyjiggits.
This is the sort of stuff we may need. This site has info on primary dust extraction and Ambient dust extraction from the air in the workshop. [I'm not saying this is the only solution , there may well be better and cheaper alternatives, this is just fyi ]
Cheers CK
Mr CK Fri 23 Jun 2017 10:44PM
Links: All Just FYI. Some are small some are big, some are suitable some are not.
http://www.vacuum.co.nz/dust-extraction/
http://www.atsource.co.nz/product_category.php?cat=1&gclid=CPiIsL7_1NQCFcmAvQodTnYPgA
Really big machines: http://www.nzduct.co.nz/shop/products/dust-filtration/?gclid=CJbni7CC1dQCFVUKKgodW-IArA
Basic unit to collect sawdust: http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/other/auction-1355527627.htm
Flash unit: http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/manufacturing-metalwork/dust-collectors-extractors/auction-1352194161.htm
The air cleaner would be a good thing to have in the space as it would reduce or hopefully eliminate issues with stray welding fumes, and fine dust particles.
There are various types, fine filters, carbon filters, electro-static, there may be a combination of these I am no expert.
Cheers CK.
Mr CK Fri 23 Jun 2017 10:52PM
The supplier: http://egmontair.co.nz/products/other-extractors/
Mr CK · Thu 22 Jun 2017 9:31AM
Yeah I reckon we need to make dust containment and extraction a priority. Judging by the number of people who commented the other night, on how dust affects them and caused them to either leave or not engage with other makerspaces and from my own experience of being affected by fine wood or mdf dust, is a cautionary tale which I'd say it is very important to learn from.
It's cool to experiment and fabricate with the cool tools, but perhaps building an enclosure and sourcing and fitting an extractor system should be the priority at this stage.
Of course the issue of $$$$ to do it with then raises its head.