Fume Extraction for Soldering Applications
Our fume extraction systems are built to combat soldering fumes produced during industrial manufacturing processes. Designed with the electronincs industry in mind, learn how Purex can support soldering applications within your business.
Our fume extraction systems are built to meet the demands of industrial soldering applications. From wave to reflow soldering, our clean air machines are designed to minimise exposure to flux fumes and particulate matter, keeping your operators safe and productivity high. Combining reliability, efficiency, and HSE compliance, we help businesses across the world create and maintain safe working environments for complex soldering applications.
Typical Applications
Wave Soldering
Wave soldering is a technique used to solder multiple Through-Hole Technology (THT) joints in one go. Automated for efficiency, the process involves connecting a printed circuit board with a molten solder wave. However, before the board can pass through the soldering wave, it must be heated beforehand to active the flux and prevent thermal shock.
Flux presents significant health risks to individuals who inhale these rosin-based fumes. From mild irritation of the nose and throat to occupational asthma and acid flux poisoning, our fume extraction machines play a vital role in safely maintaining the wave soldering process.
Reflow Soldering
Unlike wave soldering, where the PCB is essentially dipped into molten solder, reflow soldering involves applying solder paste directly to the circuit board before positioning the electronic components and placing the entire board into an oven to heat the paste and secure the joints.
Commonly used in the electronics industry for Surface Mounted Technology (SMT), the risks associated with soldering paste and poor ventilation range from irritated eyes and skin to respiratory issues. However, manufacturers that use leaded soldering paste are also at risk of cumulative toxicity from inhaling lead oxide fumes and particles, which unfiltered, can lead to severe long-term health issues like kidney dysfunction and neurological damage.
Desoldering & Reworking
There are various methods to rework or desolder a printed circuit board. However, all involve melting the soldered joint. Hot air rework stations are used to melt multiple joints simultaneously, rather than reworking one-by-one with a soldering iron, but both methods turn the solder molten.
However, it’s not solely the fumes from the solder that present a respiratory risk to operators. Soldering braids often have flux woven into the wick, whilst the vacuums within desoldering pumps can disrupt fine dust and particulates, resulting in additional airborne contaminants and emphasising the need for industrial fume extractors within reworking stations.
Recommended Machine
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FumeCube Range
The Purex FumeCube is a multi-purpose unit, with its high performance capabilities, you can run the extraction unit without any loss of efficiency. Whilst offering highly effective and economical flexibility for your specific requirements.
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2 Tip
The Purex 2-Tip is a cost-effective solution that enhances your individual requirements. Designed with your unique needs in mind, this innovative product features a built-in LED filter block warning feature which makes this machine a practical solution.
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3 - 15 Tip
The Purex 3-15 Tip is a high-performing solution which is not only cost effective but also designed with precision. The unit comes equipped with an LED filter block warning system, ensuring the operators safety and efficiency.
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200i HP
200i HP
The Purex 200i HP unit is fully automated, requiring the user to simply set the desired airflow during setup. Designed for use with soldering tips this unit can extract from up to 50 soldering tips at the same time.
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800 Range
The Purex 800 range are advanced, automated extraction units, designed to provide superior protection for your operations. Each unit is precise, powerful, and ensures high performance.
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5000i Range
The Purex 5000i range 3 Phase units are designed to effectively and efficiently remove a large volume of hazardous fumes. The versatility of the 5000i range is further enhanced by its specialized units, including the 5000i HD 3 Phase and the 5000i PVC 3 Phase.
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Case Study
Soldering In An Education Setting
Our customer is a leader in the manufacturing training sector. The customer wanted to be able to provide a safe space for the students, to get hands of with creating electrical parts without the risk of inhaling dangerous fumes. Read more about how we provided this customer the solution they needed.
Industry Insights
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The Dangers of Flux Fumes in Electronics Assembly
Flux is an essential material in electronics assembly, helping to clean metal surfaces and ensure reliable solder joints. However, when flux is heated during soldering, it releases fumes that can pose serious health risks if not controlled properly.
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Extraction Strategies for High-Heat Processes
Soldering, smelting and casting all generate intense heat and with that heat comes fumes, vapours, metal particulates and gases that can quickly build up to unsafe levels. These emissions are usually invisible and easily inhaled, meaning that over time it can pose significant respiratory and long-term health risks.
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The Dangers Of Soldering Fumes
Depending on the metals used during the soldering process, most solder fumes can be toxic and an occupational health hazard to anyone who comes in contact. When hand soldering, fumes rise vertically which can enter the human body through the nose and mouth when breathing.
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Get in Touch
Looking for a fume extractor for your soldering applications? Fill out the form below to speak to a member of our team and find the best clean air solution for your business.
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Unit A, Saltgrounds Road,
Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire,
United Kingdom,
HU15 1EG - +44 (0) 1405 746030
- purex@purex.co.uk
Soldering FAQs
The side effects of inhaling soldering fumes can vary depending on the level of exposure. Short-term exposure often results in irritation of the eyes, nose a throat, but long-term exposure to flux fumes, and in some cases lead, can lead to conditions like asthma, bronchitis and even cause lasting damage to your brain, kidneys, and nervous system.
Like all fume extraction systems, a fan suctions the air and draws the hazardous airborne contaminants directly into the filtration system. However, at Purex, we also design custom capture methods, from soldering connection kits to integrated duct work systems to specifically cater for soldering applications.
Read our Soldering Extraction Tip case study to see our work in practice.
COSHH and HSE guidelines state that general ventilation is not enough to mitigate the risks associated with soldering fumes. In addition to their guidance for safe practice of industrial soldering, a Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system must be commissioned to manage exposure limits for rosin-based solder fumes.