Industrial Ductwork for
Dust Collection Systems
Clamp-together ductwork from the two best names in the business —
Engineered, specified, and installed as part of your complete dust collection system.
|
50%+
Faster Than Flanged
|
3″–60″+
Diameter Range
|
100%
Reusable & Reconfigurable
|
Galv + SS
Material Options
|
Ductwork is the circulatory system of any dust collection installation — it connects your pickup points, hoods, and source capture devices to the collector itself. Get the ductwork wrong and even the best collector in the world won’t perform. Undersized ducts choke airflow. Oversized ducts drop transport velocity and let material settle. Poor layout wastes static pressure and drives up energy costs.
That’s why every system we engineer includes a complete ductwork design — branch sizing, transport velocities, static pressure calculations, and a full bill of materials. We represent both Nordfab and US Duct because they’re the two best clamp-together duct manufacturers in North America, and we spec whichever one is the best fit for your application.
Why clamp-together? Traditional welded or flanged ductwork takes days to install and can’t be easily modified. Clamp-together duct installs in half the time with no welding, no rivets, and no special tools — and it can be taken apart and reconfigured when your layout changes. For most dust collection applications, clamp-together is the standard.
Two Great Manufacturers — One Goal
Both Nordfab and US Duct make excellent clamp-together ductwork. We represent both because different projects call for different strengths.
Nordfab Quick-FitNordfab originated clamp-together ductwork and is the largest manufacturer in the world. Their Quick-Fit system uses a rolled-lip design with an over-center barrel clamp and integrated gasket. Laser-welded seams on all pipe mean no leakage through the duct wall itself. For sizes above 24″, Nordfab offers flanged (bolt-together) ductwork with industry-standard angle rings. Strengths: Largest inventory with their Nordfab Now stock program for fast lead times on standard components. Extensive range of standard fittings — branches, elbows, adapters, hoods (canopy, barrel, bell mouth, slotted, router, radial arm saw), blast gates, diverter valves — available off the shelf. QFS sealed option adds epoxy-caulked seams and double gaskets for oil mist applications. 3D design tools (NordCAD, Revit BIM families) simplify system layout. Available in galvanized steel, 304 stainless steel, and aluminum. Manufactured in Thomasville, NC. Best for: Standard dust collection systems that benefit from large stock availability, projects requiring 3D design documentation, and oil mist applications using the QFS sealed system. |
US DuctUS Duct manufactures laser-welded clamp-together ductwork in Archdale, NC. Their rolled-lip system uses the same connection principle — rolled edges joined by a gasketed over-center clamp — with all-stainless clamps as standard. Known for custom fabrication capability and heavy-gauge options. For sizes above 24″, US Duct offers flanged (bolt-together) ductwork as well. Strengths: Heavy-gauge options up to 10 gauge for abrasive dust applications. All-stainless clamps with lifetime replacement guarantee. Full line of hoods including bell mouths, mini hoods, and custom hood fabrication for specific machine connections. US Tubing product line provides a truly airtight, V-gasket clamp connection for food processing, positive pressure, and oil mist applications where standard rolled-lip duct leaks. Strong custom fabrication — manifolds, unusual fittings, special transitions built to order. Full line of accessories including spark traps, explosion isolation valves, silencers, and automatic gates. Manufactured in Archdale, NC. Best for: Heavy-gauge abrasive applications, projects requiring custom fabrication, food-grade airtight ductwork (US Tubing), and systems needing integrated accessories like spark traps and explosion isolation valves. |
Nordfab vs. US Duct: How They Compare
Both make excellent duct. Both are American-made. Both use the same rolled-lip clamp-together principle. Here’s where they differ.
| Feature | Nordfab Quick-Fit | US Duct |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Gauges | 22ga – 14ga | 24ga – 10ga |
| Diameter Range | 3″ – 24″ clamp, flanged above 24″ | 3″ – 24″+ clamp, flanged above 24″ |
| Materials | Galvanized, 304SS, Aluminum | Galvanized, Stainless Steel |
| Pipe Seams | Laser/plasma welded | Laser welded |
| Clamp Material | Galvanized steel (standard) | All stainless steel (standard) |
| Gasket Options | Integrated rubber, QFS double gasket | Standard rubber, V-gasket (US Tubing) |
| Airtight Option | QFS Sealed (epoxy caulk + double gaskets) | US Tubing (V-gasket clamp, truly airtight) |
| Stock Program | Nordfab Now (largest inventory) | Standard stocking program |
| Design Tools | NordCAD, Revit BIM families | — |
| Custom Fabrication | Available | Major strength — manifolds, special fittings |
| Hoods | Canopy, barrel, bell mouth, slotted, router, radial arm saw, suction | Bell mouths, mini hoods, custom hoods |
| Flanged (Bolt-Together) | Yes — angle ring flanges, sizes above 24″ | Yes — flanged ductwork, sizes above 24″ |
| Manufactured In | Thomasville, NC | Archdale, NC |
Bottom line: Both systems use the same rolled-lip connection standard, so components are cross-compatible. We don’t push one brand over the other — we spec whichever manufacturer has the best component availability, lead time, and pricing for your specific project. Many of our installations use components from both.
What Goes Into a Complete Duct System
Straight PipeStandard 5′ lengths with rolled lips on both ends. Available in multiple gauges based on dust type and transport velocity requirements. |
Elbows & Branches30°, 45°, and 90° elbows. Lateral branches, Y-branches, double branches, and T-branches for multi-point collection systems. |
Blast Gates & ValvesManual and automatic blast gates, butterfly valves, and diverter valves for controlling airflow to individual pickup points. |
Hoods & TransitionsCanopy hoods, barrel hoods, slotted hoods, and rectangular-to-round transitions that connect machines to the duct system. |
Adapters & ReducersHose adapters, machine adapters, reducers, and flange adapters for connecting to existing equipment and transitions between sizes. |
Adjustable SleevesTelescoping sleeves that eliminate exact-to-the-inch measurements during installation. Slide to length, clamp, done. |
Hangers & SupportsCable hangers, saddle hangers, teardrop hangers, and roof stanchions for proper duct support and spacing. |
Safety AccessoriesSpark traps, explosion isolation valves, silencers, vibration dampeners, and no-loss stackheads for compliant system design. |
Why Ductwork Design Matters More Than the Duct Itself
You can buy the best clamp-together duct on the market, but if the system isn’t properly designed, it won’t work. Duct design is where most dust collection failures happen — not at the collector.
Every branch, elbow, and transition adds resistance. Every pickup point needs a specific airflow volume and transport velocity to move dust without settling. Get the balance wrong and you end up with plugged ducts, insufficient capture at the source, and a collector that can’t keep up.
Our engineering process includes complete ductwork layout with calculated branch sizes, transport velocities specific to your dust type, static pressure loss through every fitting, and a balanced system that delivers the right airflow to every pickup point. You get a full bill of materials, an installation drawing, and a system that works the first time — guaranteed under our pass-or-free compliance program.
For installations where combustible dust is present — which includes most industrial dust — the ductwork itself must be factored into your Dust Hazard Analysis under NFPA 660. Transport velocities, grounding and bonding, and explosion isolation all apply to the duct runs, not just the collector.
Want to understand the full cost picture? See our 2026 cost guide — ductwork and installation are typically 30–50% of total system cost.
Collectors We Pair With Our Ductwork
Ductwork is one piece of the system. Here’s what it connects to.
| Baghouse Collectors | Cartridge Collectors | Wet Collectors | Source Capture Arms |
| Downdraft Tables | Spray Booths | Plasma & Laser | Oil Mist Collectors |
Ready to Design Your Duct System?
Tell us about your facility — number of pickup points, dust type, and process layout — and we’ll put together a complete ductwork design with a full bill of materials and firm quote. Free assessment, no obligation.
Serving manufacturing facilities across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.