The MICRO FILTRABOX is a Portable Laser Fume Extractor w/ 1-micro blower and 3 stage HEPA filtration for excellent performance on hobby lasers or small industrial laser systems. Extracts, filters and recirculates clean air into the workspace. Designed to fit underneath work tables and desks.
It features a 3 Stage Filtration System with Rigid Separated Filters:
- Pre-filter: The pre-filter removes the majority of the submicronic respirable dust, protecting the critical downstream HEPA filter from strain and premature clogging. The filter media is encased in a strong aluminum cartridge to resist contamination bypass. The high surface area mini-pleat filter media ensures high capacity and efficiency for typical applications.
NOTE: The Pre-Filter has now been replaced by a Foam Filter. The foam is washable and reusable. It is recommended that you have 1 Foam Filter with the frame and a spare foam filter on hand.
- HEPA filter: The HEPA filter is tested at 99.999% @ 0.3 microns. This means that it removes 99.999% of the most aerodynamically penetrating particles, known to be 0.3 microns, while smaller and larger particles are even more effectively captured, resulting in extremely clean air; free of respirable dust. The filter media is encased in a rigid aluminum cartridge to resist contamination bypass. The high surface area mini-pleat filter media ensures high capacity and efficiency for typical applications.
- Gas Filter: The gas filter is filled with a blend of high-grade activated carbon and potassium permanganate, which removes the broadest spectrum of laser-generated VOC gases at the molecular level. 40 lbs of the adsorption media ensure high capacity and efficiency for typical applications.
Why we use individually separated filters HEPA and gas filters vs. combined HEPA/Carbon filters:
Different materials produce different proportions of dust vs. VOC gases. For example, lasering acrylic produces 90% VOC gases and 10% dust. Conversely, lasering wood produces 10% gases and 90% dust. With individually separated filters, each filter can be replaced when it actually is spent which varies with each material lasered. In the case of lasering acrylic, the gas filter will need replacement sooner than the dust filter because of the high gas to dust ratio. This is not a problem when using separate filters. Each individual filter can be replaced as needed, which saves money and reduces landfills. In contrast, in a combined filter where the HEPA and Gas filters are inseparable, the barely used HEPA filter portion may have to be sacrificed because the gas portion is spent (or vice-versa). This is wasteful and less economic.
Why are Rigid Filter Cartridges so important?
Filtrabox systems use high-pressure vacuum blowers to suction the fumes out from the laser and into high-efficiency filters. As the filters load up with dust, the negative pressure within Filtrabox increases. The sheet-metal cabinet and seals are designed to resist deformation and air leaks under extreme pressure. Therefore, the filters must also be able to resist deformation to prevent dust and VOC leakage. All Filtrabox filter cartridges are built tough, using a thick aluminum box structure to resist flex so that the rubber seals can maintain contact with the sealing surfaces. Cardboard cased filters flex and crumple under a load of typical fume extractor pressures, leading to leakage of contaminants.
