Many years of designing and manufacturing fume extraction and filtration systems for a variety of industries has given BOFA the experience and expertise to ensure that our product solutions are the best available on the market.
Our understanding of industrial processes and applications are reflected in the design and manufacturing procedures applied to our range of standard, inline and patented filters.
Our unique filtration systems are designed to meet or exceed airborne emissions standards and optimise productivity while lowering the overall cost of ownership.
Our combination of pre-filtration systems and high efficiency particle filters enables us to remove 99.997% of particles 0.3 micron in size. This ensured that clean air is maintained in the workplace, while patented innovations such as DeepPleat DUO coupled with reverse flow air technology, optimise filter lifetime and lower the overall cost of ownership.
Pre Filters
Panel pre filters
The efficiency of the pre filter is directly related to the life of the HEPA in that the more particulates captured in it, the less can pass through and prematurely block the HEPA. Most pre filters have an efficiency grading of F5 - F7. When plastics are being lasered, the particulate size generated is typically 0.2microns. At this level of filtration the media has an efficiency of 35% in F5 to 65% in F7. When metals are being lasered the particulate size being generated is typically below 1micron. This equates to an efficiency of 65% in F5 to 80% in F7.
The BOFA range of fume purification systems have an F8 grade media which gives an efficiency of 80% at 0.2 microns and 95% at 1micron.
Bag filters
Bag filters are occasionally used in laser fume elimination for their volumetric containment properties. These bags have a variety of shapes including multi pocket styles to increase surface area and reduce pressure drops.
DeepPleat DUO pre filters
Save filter life and money with our unique pre-filter
Our unique patent-protected DeepPleat DUO concept is designed around reverse flow operation to maximise filter life. As the contaminated air enters the filter chamber the velocity is dramatically reduced, allowing the larger particulates to fall to the bottom and therefore clear of the filter media. The smaller, lighter particulate are then retained within the filter pleats. This allows a greater majority of the larger particulate to fall away from the filter surface and into the drop-out chamber within the filter enclosure giving a far greater efficiency and much longer life for the full filter area.
Inline Filters
Inline filters are for applications that generate high amounts of dust and particulate.
Cyclone
In-line cyclone for heavy particulate, to extend your filter life. BOFA International commissioned the University of Southampton in the UK, using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) techniques, to develop a cyclone to operate efficiently on a broad spectrum of contained particles sizes specifically produced by laser marking systems.
The BOFA C5 cyclone separator has been design specifically for use with the AD Oracle (iQ) extraction unit and is installed between the laser extraction point and the extractor. The airflow generated by the extraction unit powers the cyclone.
Inline filters
Inline filters deliver a longer filter life for applications that generate high amounts of dust and particulate. The BOFA range of inline filter boxes have either large pre filter bags or DeepPleat DUO filters installed, to capture the majority of dust and particulate in order to protect the extraction system. The inline filter units are positioned between the main BOFA fume filtration system and application, to increase the overall filter capacity and extend the life of the main filters within the extraction system.
Spark arrestor filter
BOFA’s ILF Spark Arrestor unit effectively prevents potentially damaging burning particulates, generated during laser marking processes, from entering the fume extraction system.
Hot burning particulate is trapped by the unit’s special metal filter pads, where it remains and burns out, thus protecting the fume extraction system.
Fire extinguishing
In the rare event that a burning ember or spark is drawn into the fume extraction unit, there is the possibility that debris in the filters could ignite. Although any resultant fire would typically be retained within the fume extraction unit, this would cause significant damage and in extreme circumstances the risk may extend beyond the extraction unit. For processes where such risks have been identified, additional protection in the form of an inline firebox is an additional precaution.
HEPA Filters
The mini pleats used in our HEPA filter can be produced with depths of up to 200mm within each pleat, depending on the application.
They are generally manufactured by specialist filter companies to ensure that the latest manufacturing and test methods are adopted. Each filter incorporates a series of webbing between the pleats. This feature not only guarantees even spacing for full filter coverage between each pleat, but also alleviates the possibility of airflow vibration or collapse
BOFA HEPA filters are tested to filter 99.997% @ 0.3 microns.
Chemical and Gas Filters
Contaminated air must remain in contact with the carbon bed for a period of time sufficient to ensure that no contaminants or odours are emitted (‘dwell time’). Our product designs consider the balance between air flow rates and the type, depth and surface area of the carbon used to ensure suitability for the contaminants associated with the application and to ensure that appropriate dwell times are achieved.
Our filters have been developed to capture all contaminants and odours, eliminating the risk of bypass and/or tunnelling.
The future: DeepPleat TRIO
Based around BOFA’s patented DeepPleat DUO pre filter, the TRIO version adds a series of slots/openings in a scroll plate to assist the particulate separation process from the air-stream.
Contaminated high velocity air carrying the heavier particles enters the filter scroll plate through centripetal force, moving towards the outside of the curved path where they contact with the steel scroll allowing the particulate to settle in the drop-out chamber within the base and are retained. The air then flows up through the filter media, giving this filter three methods of filtration within one box.
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