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Severn Valley Railway
When the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) needed support with their weld fume problem, they turned to Flextraction Ltd of Melton Mowbray. The application was unusual and has its root at the heart of the steam age – The steam engine firebox. Severn Valley Railway dates back decades to the Hanbury to Shrewsbury line via Bridgnorth. When it was broken up by British Rail, a society was formed, uncannily at the local pub at one end of the line, and they saved this beautiful stretch of historical railway. Over the years the society has purchased several line extensions, and now the line runs a full 16 miles through beautiful scenery. The society has a large and impressive range of steam engines, and a continual programme of repairs, maintenance and overhauls is carried out at their workshops in Bridgnorth. One area in particular was creating quite a problem with fumes and dust. This was when repairing the fireboxes. MIG and TIG welding processes at over 400 amps, was being used on a range of materials. The main concern was the firebox lining, which was 16mm triple dioxide phosphorous arsenic copper. SVR’s welder David Howell has to sometimes climb into the firebox to cut away and replace panels. David advised, "The fume level was considerable, and we needed a flexible and mobile solution that could reach the areas of weld, wherever I was, on or even in the firebox." Taking into consideration the workshop environment, the high degree of filtration required, and the need for a long reach and flexible extraction arm, Flextraction supplied a mobile Strongmaster UPF. This is the latest in mobile weld fume technology manufactured by TEKA in Germany. The Strongmaster is a mobile cartridge filter system, of fully welded steel construction. The main body houses the high efficiency filter cartridge, and a powerful fan unit. A filter full indicator is a standard feature, which notifies the user when to clean the filter cartridge. This operation is carried out quickly and safely by the unique way TEKA has designed the safe clean chamber. The cartridge filter also enables the unit to be used on grinding operations within the workshop. Due to the stability of the mobile system, we were able to fit a 4m long self-supporting arm, which can reach right into the firebox with David. David and his colleagues within the workshop have noticed a considerable difference since purchasing the unit. "The workshop used to fill up with fumes, and our face masks became very dirty due to the fume." David continued, "this no longer happens, and we are delighted with our purchase of the TEKA Strongmaster. Wherever I go the extraction goes with me." Non welders and support staff within the workshop also commented how they are no longer being exposed to the fumes created by the welding and grinding operations. This application shows that the very latest of technology has a part to play in even the most traditional of engineering environments

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