Dust Extraction Installation at E M Acoustics

From its modest beginnings in 2002, the company set out to redefine performance standards expected of the passive speakers. Combining precision engineering with robust build quality, its products are designed to give top-class performance.

E M Acoustics has supplied equipment to a plethora of well-known venues such as the Glastonbury Festival, Legoland, and Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. With the increase in productivity and additional state-of-the-art equipment, Operations Director Mike Wheeler decided to replace the company’s ailing and undersized extraction system.

“When we needed to double our CNC machining capacity in 2024, we looked at systems from a variety of different suppliers that would cover our requirements whilst giving us some capacity for expansion in the future,” he says. “Dustraction’s proposal was selected from six possible contenders, as being the best balance between performance, capacity and commercial value.

“They were faced with the huge challenge of getting the new system installed in amongst a factory extension construction project and our very busy production schedule, and despite the entire system – ductwork and all – needing to be removed and replaced, this was achieved losing only seven days of factory time. “I cannot rate Dustraction highly enough – their communication throughout the whole process was clear and thorough, those challenges we faced were met with professionalism and clarity, and we have ended up with an excellent system that does exactly what we require,” Mike affirms.

Dustraction installed one of its Dustrax No.27RB series filters. This is a tubular sock-type filtering system complete with an automatic shaker mechanism designed to handle an air volume of 17,320m³/hr. The waste is transferred into the end of the hopper section by the main floormounted Dustrax No40PB VBD 37kw extraction fan sets and is discharged through a heavy-duty, ruggedly constructed rotary valve air lock.

The filter plant is mounted on a galvanised support steel structure to raise the rotary valve outlet to a suitable height  above a twin discharge to high-capacity bulker bags, making the waste easily containable for landfill. Also incorporated into the system is a 550mm diameter ATEX Non-return valve. This is located in the suction ductwork to prevent a flame front from being transmitted along the suction ductwork back into the building should a potential explosion occur.

All equipment supplied falls in line with COSHH LEV and ATEX requirements. “Dustraction has been in business for 75 years, and we have a wealth of experience not just in the woodworking industry but all sectors where dust is produced,” says Steve Matuska, MD. “It was a pleasure working for Mike and hopefully Dustraction will give good service to Mike for many years to come, as we do with all our customers.”

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