Plasma cutting produces a lot of smoke which is very bad for health - everyone knows it. But not all tables come fitted with smoke extraction system.
For the smoke extraction there are two options - (1) to capture and exhaust the smoke along with air, and (2) treat the air before letting it out. In countries where pollution control norms are not so stringent the first option can be exercised. In most developed countries latter is the only option.
Smoke extraction and exhaust is certainly better than letting the smoke spread indoors.
Smoke removal systems (whether air is let out after treatment or without) has to capture the smoke directly from the table - before it spreads. Some people try it by providing a hood from the top which is not very effective because the plasma torch throws the flame and smoke downward due to compressed air. The right method is to suck it from bottom.
For large plasma cutting tables suction of smoke from the whole of table is neither a practical idea nor it is economically viable. To ensure that efficient smoke extraction can be carried out with low power consumption the table has to be divided into sections and the suction has to follow the torch. For this too several designs have been developed with different degrees of success and complexity involved.
Scrap removal is another issue which becomes difficult once suction systems are employed.
For details of simple and effective smoke removal and treatment systems you can contact me at
info@santoni-india.com.