LEV-CO
182 N Port Road, Unit 3
Port Perry, Ontario L9L 0B7

App Support: 1-888-512-7173
Office: (905) 831-7001 / (888) 862-5356
Fax: (905) 831-7443 / (866) 885-1583
E-Mail: sales@lev-co.com

Ventilation For Worker Health

Down Draft Tables

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Down Draft Tables

Downdraft Tables with Filtration are designed to help capture and filter airborne contaminants generated during bench-level industrial and commercial tasks. They are commonly used where dust, fumes, smoke, or light process emissions need to be controlled at the work surface while also providing a practical workstation for the operator. These systems combine a workbench and an air cleaner by pulling contaminants downward through the table surface and away from the user’s breathing zone.

These systems are often used in facilities where source capture at a bench or table is more practical than overhead hoods, extraction arms, or larger ducted systems. Depending on the application, Downdraft Tables with Filtration may be used for welding, soldering, grinding, deburring, polishing, and certain paint, marking, or bench-finishing tasks where the work is performed directly on the table surface. The best fit depends on the contaminant, the nature of the process, the required airflow at the table face, and whether a bench-integrated capture method suits the application.

What are Downdraft Tables with Filtration?

Downdraft Tables with Filtration are self-contained or system-integrated workstations that combine a working surface with downward airflow and contaminant filtration. In use, the operator performs the task on a perforated or grated table surface while the system draws airborne contaminants down into the unit for collection or filtration. They are typically selected when a facility wants localized source capture built directly into the workstation rather than relying on a separate capture hood positioned near the process.

When should you use Downdraft Tables with Filtration?

These systems are typically used when contaminants are generated on or just above a bench surface and a downward capture pattern can effectively control them. They may be a strong choice for dedicated workstation tasks, compact layouts, educational shops, repair environments, and bench processes where combining the work surface and contaminant control method helps save space and simplify setup. The best fit depends on the process, required face velocity, filter suitability, noise limits, portability needs, work orientation, and any added risks such as fire, explosion, abrasion, or corrosion.

Typical applications

welding and light fabrication at bench stations
soldering and electronics bench work
grinding, deburring, and light finishing
polishing and buffing
laboratory or technical bench tasks
spray painting, marking, or small part finishing where suitable
educational shop environments
repair and maintenance bench work

Key benefits

combines contaminant control and work surface in one unit
helps capture emissions downward and away from the operator’s breathing zone
supports compact workstation layouts and space-saving installations
available in multiple sizes, configurations, and filter options
can simplify bench-level source capture for repeatable tasks

Important selection considerations

When selecting a Downdraft Table with Filtration, key factors may include:

contaminant type and loading
required airflow and face velocity
capture effectiveness at the table surface
table size and working surface area
portability or fixed-location needs
filter media and filter-cleaning suitability
noise requirements
durability in the working environment
maintenance, filter, and energy costs
any tertiary risks such as fire or explosion

The right Downdraft Table with Filtration depends on how and where it will be used. LEV-CO can help review your bench process, contaminant characteristics, airflow needs, and facility requirements to recommend a practical solution for workstation-based fume, dust, and particulate control.

1. What is it?

Sometimes the best solution for extracting welding fumes is right on the table. This is generally referred to as a Down Draft Table. The Downdraft Table serves as both a workbench and an air cleaner. A rigid grill supports the product, while an air cleaner below draws smoke and fumes down and away from the worker's breathing zone. A worker can weld, grind, and cut on the surface of the table while dust and fumes get sucked away from breathing air space.

2. Suitable Applications

By combining the extraction system with a workbench, downdraft tables are very effective for safe work environments, and space-saving solutions. Soldering, spray-painting, and other benchwork applications are exactly what our downdraft tables are for.

3. Will it Make my Workplace Safer?

Yes, but only when systems are configured, installed, and maintained for the correct use application. The filter selection is paramount to ensuring the reliability, effectiveness, and safety of the unit you use.

4. Suitable Industries and Environments

Downdraft tables are mainly designed with the idea of a workstation being integrated into the unit, so any application that requires fume extraction from a bench is ideal for a downdraft table. This includes soldering, grinding, spray painting, and welding. For a full list of industries, refer to our Industry Solution Page

5. Available Models and Variants

To see a full list of products, check out our catalog below.

6. What Criteria to Consider

Some important points to consider when purchasing:

Air Velocity: What is the velocity or the air required to pull the fumes and dust down into the table? (Add up the CFM for all of the inlets that will run at once)
Face Velocity: What is the velocity at the Table surface required to achieve the appropriate capture velocity?
Noise: Does your facility require a low operation noise level?
Portability: Do you need the ability to reposition or maneuver the table?
Orientation: Do you work standing up, or sitting down?
Filter Cleaning: Does the filter cleaning system really work in your application?
Surface Area: How much space to you need for your application?
Capture Velocity: Can the filters accommodate the required capture velocity to capture the aerosol?
Can the filters withstand the Pressure/abrasion/corrosion/etc.?
Do I have enough filter media (air to cloth ratio) in the collector?
Will it stand up to the working environment?
- e.g. is it made from plastic or steel?
What will be my filter, maintenance, and energy costs per year?
Are there any tertiary risks such as fire, explosion, etc., that I need to consider?

7. Pros and Cons Versus Other Engineering Capture Methods

Pro's:

Portable options available
Commercial options available
Multi-purpose - doubles as a standard work-bench
All steel construction
Easy filter access - reduces maintenance time
Multiple filter options

Con's

Extraction is restricted to the bench surface
Portability of the unit determines the range of extraction

8. Preventing the Spread of Airborne Fumes and Chemicals

Industrial workers are exposed to a variety of health hazards every day. As a result, these workers risk the possibility of becoming sick, ill, and in some cases, permanently disabled. According to a WHO estimate (WHO, 2000), unintentional poisonings led to 300,000 deaths in the year 2000.

It's our mission to diminish that figure, but it only works if the correct equipment is used, and configured correctly. Our team works to make the logistics of those questions as straightforward and coherent as possible, and as such, will work with you to provide you with the best extraction system that fits your worker's needs. This includes everything from accessibility and usability to longevity and reliability.

You can read more about the risks and preventions of fume extraction below:
OSHA
WHO

9. Effectiveness Versus Dilution Ventilation

Dilution ventilation is designed with more of a commercial aspect in mind. As oppose to local exhaust ventilation, how dilution ventilation extracts contaminants is by diluting them with fresh air, which requires the contaminants to be airborne before being removed from the building. This means that all airborne contaminants ultimately spread throughout the building until being pushed through the ventilation exhaust system.

On the other hand, local exhaust ventilation captures contaminants at or near the source of the process. This eliminates the possibility of the contaminant becoming airborne in the first place. Eliminating the risk of airborne contaminant means that a buildings HVAC system does not have to filter industrial contaminants, which dilution ventilation is not designed to do. Some industrial contaminants are highly abrasive and corrosive. Rather than investing in the maintenance costs of the building multiple times, invest in the engineering control solution designed to deal with it.

To read up more about the benefits of local exhaust ventilation versus dilution ventilation, refer to these links:
CCOHS
Use of Local Exhaust and Dilution Ventilation

10. Maintenance Costs

Our downdraft tables are all built using only mild and stainless steel, and finished in a very durable polyurethane powder coating, powered by a direct drive electric motor. We follow these requirements to ensure long life and minimal maintenance costs.

Filters:
We offer a selection of several filters, each designed for different workloads. Depending on contaminant, hours of use, and hazards associated with any given contaminant, we have a filter that will work for your needs. This way you don't need to worry about filters clogging prematurely, which avoids premature failure.

Motors: We use a direct drive motor on all of our extraction systems. Without the use of belts or pulleys in the driveline of the motor, associated maintenance costs are substantially lower, and allow you to get the most use out of your system without service intervals.