Air scrubbers remove airborne particulate that escapes primary controls. They recirculate or exhaust air through staged filters, capturing fine dust that would otherwise remain suspended and travel beyond the work area. Used well, they stabilise site conditions; used alone, they will not compensate for poor on-tool capture.

How they work

A fan draws contaminated air through a prefilter that catches larger particles, then through a high-efficiency filter (H13/H14 for fine dusts). The cleaned air is either returned to the room or ducted outside to create negative pressure. Efficiency relies on sealing and the quality of filter: air must go through the media, not around it.

What they are—and are not—for

They control background particulate, speed up clear-down between operations, and protect adjacent areas. They are not a substitute for local exhaust ventilation at the tool. Pair them with on-tool extraction for prevention, then use the scrubber to reduce the residual load in the air.

Placement and ducting

Position the intake where dust is generated and direct the clean discharge to create a circulation path across the breathing zone. Avoid short-circuiting (intake and outlet too close). When ducting out, ensure a safe discharge point and make provision for make-up air.

Airflow, ACH, and under-load reality

Size by the room volume and target air changes per hour (ACH). Typical control targets are 6–12 ACH depending on risk and leakiness. Use the machine’s airflow under load, not free-air figures, and remember filters load during the shift—monitor and adjust.

Maintenance and verification

Change prefilters regularly to protect the final stage and maintain airflow. Inspect door seals and blanks to avoid bypass. Use a particulate monitor to confirm the area clears quickly when the scrubber runs; if not, increase ACH or improve the air path.

Practical takeaways

• Use scrubbers to control background dust, not replace on-tool capture.
• Seal the unit and setup; leaks defeat filter efficiency.
• Size by ACH using under-load airflow, and allow for filter loading.
• Place intake and outlet to sweep the breathing zone, avoiding short-circuits.
• Verify with a PM meter and refresh prefilters on schedule.

When integrated into a layered approach—capture at source, control in the air, and clean surfaces—air scrubbers make dust control more reliable and predictable.