Plasma & Laser Fume Collectors
Stationary and modular filtration for thermal cutting tables, laser engravers, and metal processing — with spark protection, self-cleaning cartridges, and proper air-to-cloth ratios for submicron metallic fume.
Plasma and laser cutting generate ultrafine metallic oxides — particles well below 1 micron — that standard shop ventilation can’t handle. These submicron fumes stay airborne for hours, penetrate deep into lung tissue, and can damage the optics on your laser equipment if left uncaptured. The fume composition varies significantly depending on whether you’re cutting mild steel, stainless, aluminum, or coated materials, and your filtration needs to account for that.
The right collector for a cutting table depends on several factors: table width and zoning, number of cutting heads, material type, cutting speed, and torch on-time. We carry stationary filtration from Plymovent and Micro Air — two manufacturers that build systems specifically rated for the heavy loading and fine particle sizes that plasma and laser cutting produce. Both offer self-cleaning cartridge technology that maintains airflow without constant filter replacement.
If you’re cutting combustible metals like aluminum, titanium, or magnesium, dry cartridge collectors aren’t the right answer. NFPA 660 requires wet collectors for those materials — and we carry the Micro Air Hydromax line specifically for that application.
Every system we install is backed by our pass-or-free compliance guarantee. If it doesn’t pass OSHA or NFPA inspection due to our design or installation, we fix it at no cost.
Plymovent Stationary Collectors
Modular cartridge filtration with RamAir pulse amplifier technology and SilentFlow sound dampening — built specifically for welding and thermal cutting applications.
MDB-Compact
Dedicated filtration for automated cutting and laser processes. Integrated fan in a SilentFlow sound-absorbing enclosure with RamAir pulse cleaning. Handles both dry and oily fumes.
Max Airflow: Up to 4,225 CFM (MDB-6)
Fan: Integrated, up to 10 HP
Cleaning: RamAir pulse amplifier
Controls: Available in GO and PRO versions
PRO Option: ControlPro touchscreen HMI with remote monitoring
MDB (MultiDust Bank)
Modular system that scales from small shops to large multi-table operations. Bank modules together for virtually unlimited capacity. Handles medium to heavy-duty cutting, welding, and grinding — including plasma table runs up to 100 feet.
Construction: 14-gauge carbon steel, powder coated
Cartridges: Horizontal, front-access
Cleaning: RamAir pulse amplifier
Controls: ControlGo or ControlPro
PRO Option: ControlPro Connect web portal for remote monitoring
WallPro 2.0
Wall-mounted self-cleaning system with a large 20 m² filter in a compact housing. Designed for the most demanding welding and cutting applications, including stainless steel with very heavy smoke production. W3 compliant.
Cleaning: HyperClean fully automatic
Mount: Wall-mounted (saves floor space)
Power: 3 selectable power levels
Best For: Heavy stainless cutting, limited floor space
Micro Air Cartridge Collectors
Patented Roto-Pulse cleaning technology, NFPA-compliant ledge-less designs, and modular configurations from single-cartridge units up to plant-wide systems.
FRP FORCE
Micro Air’s top-tier cartridge collector. Ledge-less housing design provides NFPA compliance by eliminating dust accumulation surfaces. Hinged filter door gives tool-less access. Air delivery system rated for 5 million cycles and down to -40°F.
Cleaning: Roto-Pulse cartridge cleaning
Filter Access: Hinged door, tool-less
Durability: 5M cycle rating, -40°F capable
Controls: Intelli-Touch with VFD
Options: Explosion vents, HEPA after-filter, spark arrestors
RP Series
Proven modular design manufactured since 1996. Add modules to scale from single-cartridge units to 32+ cartridge systems. Roto-Pulse cleaning standard on all models. Bank units together for virtually unlimited capacity.
Scalable: Bank modules for 24,000+ CFM
Cleaning: Roto-Pulse with after-pulse cycle
Controls: Intelli-Touch with VFD
Options: Explosion vents, backblast dampers, HEPA, spark arrestors, weatherproof kits
Hydromax Wet Collector
Required by NFPA 660 when cutting combustible metals — aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and their alloys. Water-based collection eliminates the fire and explosion risk that dry cartridge systems can’t safely handle with reactive metal dust.
Method: Water-based particle capture
Compliance: NFPA 660 combustible metal dust
Advantage: Eliminates dry filter fire/explosion risk
Best For: Plasma cutting reactive metals
How We Size a Plasma & Laser Collector
Table Size & Zoning
Wider tables need more airflow. Downdraft tables are partitioned into zones so only the active cutting zone draws air — reducing total CFM requirements and collector size. The number of open zones during cutting determines the peak airflow demand.
Air-to-Cloth Ratio
Plasma and laser fume is extremely fine — you need a lower air-to-cloth ratio (1:1 to 2:1) than general dust applications. This means more filter media per CFM, which keeps velocity through the media low enough to actually capture submicron particles.
Spark Protection
Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting throw hot sparks and molten metal that can ignite cartridge filters. Upstream spark arrestors quench burning embers before they reach the collector. Some systems also include smoke detectors in the clean air plenum.
Material Being Cut
Mild steel, stainless, galvanized, aluminum, and coated materials all produce different fume compositions. Combustible metals (aluminum, titanium, magnesium) require wet collectors per NFPA 660 — dry cartridge systems create an explosion hazard with reactive metal dust.
Self-Cleaning Is Essential
Thermal cutting produces continuous heavy loading. Without automatic pulse cleaning, filters blind quickly and airflow drops — meaning fume escapes the table. Both Plymovent’s RamAir and Micro Air’s Roto-Pulse systems clean filters during operation to maintain consistent capture velocity.
Explosion Protection
Any dry collector handling combustible metal fume needs explosion protection — venting per NFPA 68, suppression or isolation per NFPA 69, and proper grounding. All Micro Air FRP FORCE and RP models can be configured with explosion vents and backblast dampers.
Common Plasma & Laser Applications
Plasma Cutting Tables
Downdraft and water-table extraction for CNC plasma cutting — zoned collection to match active cutting area.
Fiber & CO2 Laser Cutting
Ultrafine metallic oxide capture from precision metal cutting. Fiber lasers produce extremely fine fume that requires low air-to-cloth ratios.
Laser Engraving & Marking
Fume and odor control for wood, acrylic, leather, and paper processing. Activated carbon stages for VOC and odor removal.
Oxy-Fuel Cutting
Heavy fume and hot slag from torch cutting. Spark arrestors are critical upstream of the collector to prevent filter ignition.
Laser Welding
Fine fume capture for micro-welding and precision laser joining applications in controlled environments.
Metal 3D Printing
Safe capture of metal powder sintering fumes from additive manufacturing — often requires inert atmosphere considerations.
Thermal Spray Coating
Heavy-duty systems for plasma spray, flame spray, and HVOF operations producing concentrated metallic fume.
Robotic Cutting Cells
Enclosed and semi-enclosed automated cutting stations with integrated fume extraction — designed to run multi-shift and 24/7.
Which Collector Fits Your Application?
Single Table / Compact Space
One plasma or laser table, limited floor space, need a self-contained system with integrated fan.
→ Plymovent MDB-Compact (2, 4, or 6 cartridge)
Up to 4,225 CFM, integrated fan, SilentFlow
Multi-Table / Heavy Production
Multiple cutting stations, multi-shift operation, need a scalable system that can grow with your shop.
→ Plymovent MDB or Micro Air FRP FORCE / RP Series
Modular, bank together for 20,000+ CFM
Combustible Metals
Cutting aluminum, titanium, magnesium, or their alloys. Dry cartridge collectors create an explosion hazard with these materials.
→ Micro Air Hydromax Wet Collector
NFPA 660 required — water-based capture
Not sure which direction to go? Schedule a free assessment and we’ll match the right system to your cutting operation.
Related Resources
Match the Right Collector to Your Cutting Table
Tell us about your table size, material, and production schedule. We’ll recommend the right system from our Plymovent and Micro Air lineup — with proper air-to-cloth ratio, spark protection, and explosion protection if your material requires it.
Serving metal fabrication shops across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.