The Secret is in the Fibers

Most carbon fiber producers are tight-lipped on how their product is manufactured. Each company has fibers unique to them and the way each are processed helps create signature characteristics for its producer, differing them from their competitors.

Carbon fiber dust is a difficult material to handle as it can build up on and short out computers and control panels. Conservative airflows are required for good performance in traditional pulse-jet cleaned dust collectors. Since carbon fiber dust is fine and can agglomerate, high pressure drop across the filters occur due to the lack of pulsing performance. This results in less airflow and lower capture efficiency of the nuisance carbon dust, causing more frequent filter change-outs and additional maintenance hours as employees have to manually dispose of the collected dust. 

A leading carbon fiber manufacturer was having difficulties with their existing cartridge dust collection booth system for their robotic trimming and sanding cells. They turned to AAF to find a way to significantly mitigate the potential hazards associated with carbon dust in their material removal environment.

Challenge

Since carbon fiber dust is fine and can agglomerate, high pressure drop across the filters do occur due to the lack of pulsing performance. This results in less airflow and lower capture efficiency of the nuisance carbon dust. Filter change-outs and secondary handling of the collected carbon fiber dust requires additional maintenance hours as employees have to manually dispose of the collected
dust.

Solution

To significantly mitigate any potential hazards associated with carbon dust in a material removal environment, the RotoClone® is a preferable solution over chemical or other active isolation options. AAF presented the RotoClone® N wet dust collector complete with a VFD control package and Polyseal Side Access after-filter housing. 

Benefits

The system has integral flow monitoring controls connected to the VFD to provide a constant, stable airflow.This captures all the dust within the cutting cell enclosure
without the loss of airflow due to high pressure drop across the filters. Most importantly, the RotoClone® N eliminated potential material hazards, removing the need
for additional fire suppression and protection equipment. Clean air is now being recirculated back into the working area, taking away the need for costly air conditioning and
ventilation of make-up air.