"Cleanliness at the workplace is often essential for technical reasons," says Ralf Heimann, Product Manager for grinding tools at Pferd, explaining the basic requirements in metalworking. Problems such as contact corrosion, mechanical damage and soiling caused by dust or oil/mist come into play here. "If you want to work and produce at a high level of technical perfection and quality while optimizing costs, you need to keep the workplace clean," adds the Pferd product manager.

If the processing involves complex materials, not only technical-functional requirements apply, but also rules aimed at protecting the worker. "There are also the 'Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS)'. They describe the state of the art, occupational medicine and occupational hygiene as well as other occupational science findings for activities involving hazardous substances."

Such hazardous substances are found, for example, in non-ferrous metal production, in pig iron and steel production and in electroplating in the production of coatings with chromates. "We find the processing of chromium VI compounds in particular in numerous applications for our customers in the aerospace industry and in power plant and turbine construction." Here, spray coatings with chromate-containing primers have been applied to aircraft, large components and engine components.

The Dust Remover is available for 50 and 75 mm diameter Combidisc tools. © August Rüggeberg, horse tools

Chromium(VI) compounds are considered carcinogenic and are classified as skin and in some cases respiratory sensitizers, "two exposures to which the worker may also be exposed during grinding work." If the employer cannot rule out a risk to employees when working with carcinogenic substances, he must reduce the risk to a minimum. Technical measures have priority over organizational and personal protective measures or occupational health monitoring.

"We are aware of the requirements resulting from this regulation and are providing these customers with a simple but highly effective tool," reports Heimann. "With the new Dust Remover, the potentially hazardous dust is absorbed directly where it is produced: Directly during sanding."

As processing often takes place directly on or in the aircraft or the individual parts and components are too large for processing in an extraction cabin, such mobile solutions are preferred. "The Dust Remover is an extraction unit for Combidisc tools with a diameter of 50 or 75 mm. It can be used universally with all dust extraction systems with CD and CDR support plates."

On the drive side, flexible shaft drives, straight grinders, angle grinders or cordless angle grinders can be used. "The only requirement is that the 6 mm shank can be accommodated," adds Ralf Heimann. For effective extraction, the volume flow of the extraction system should also be at least 300 m³/h.

"The CD Dust Remover is a simple but effective solution for complying with the rules for handling hazardous substances," says the Pferd Product Manager. This product therefore meets the high requirements for work ergonomics as part of Pferd Value, Pferd's value-added program, which considers and evaluates application solutions in terms of their ergonomic and economic effectiveness.