New Extraction System for Rap Industries

About Rap Industries and their manufacturing approach

Rap Industries Ltd is a family-run business, established in 1975 as a leading UK manufacturer of portable exhibition equipment. Based in Yaxley, Huntingdonshire, the company has the ability to use computerised manufacturing methods that enable its products to be made and delivered to your door within a couple of days.

Rap Industries’ products are designed by its in-house design department to be suitable for all office and exhibition solutions. The company aims to provide a high-quality product at a fraction of the cost.

Why Rap Industries needed to upgrade their extraction system

With the increase in productivity and additional state-of-the-art equipment, Mike Wheeler Operations Director decided to replace their ailing 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,” Mike explains. “Dustraction’s proposal was selected from six possible contenders, as being the best balance between performance, capacity and commercial value.

Overcoming installation challenges in a live factory environment

“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.”

Dust extraction system design, safety features and compliance

Dustraction installed one of its Dustrax No.27BB series filters. This is a tubular sock-type filtering system complete with an automatic shaker mechanism designed to handle an air volume of 9,972m³/hr.

The waste is transferred into the end of the hopper section by the main floormounted Dustrax No33PB DD 18.5kw extraction fan set and is discharged into an enclosed bagging base which houses heavy-duty plastic waste sacks.

Incorporated into the system is a 400mm 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.

Dustraction also manufactures a range of spray booths which was ideal for Roy – just one order for all his extraction needs. Dustraction installed a 3m wide spray booth complete with a 700mm dia antispark vee belt-driven axial fan handling 17,850m³/hr.

All equipment supplied falls in line with COSHH LEV and ATEX requirements. “Dustraction has been in business for 75 years,” says Steve Matuska, MD
of Dustraction. “We have a wealth of experience not just in the woodworking industry but all sectors where dust is produced. It was a pleasure working for Roy 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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