Extraction Arms

Extraction arms are used to capture airborne contaminants at or near the point where they are generated before they spread into the workplace. They are commonly applied for source capture of fumes, smoke, mist, and light dust in industrial, laboratory, and technical work areas. The right configuration depends on the process, contaminant, hood placement, and airflow required for effective capture.

Typically the Extraction Arms are connected to a fixed extraction fan, Filter system or dust collector via direct mounting or a "Header Type" duct system.

For more info, relate to the links below:
Welding Productivity
Solidswiki
 

Extraction arms can help control contaminants such as welding fumes, soldering fumes, smoke, oil mist, laboratory fumes, and some light dust or particulate generated at defined work points. Suitability depends on the material, emission characteristics, particle behavior, and whether the arm can be positioned close enough to achieve effective capture. Selection should always be based on the actual process and contaminant, especially where corrosive, toxic, or otherwise specialized emissions are involved

Extraction arms are used across a wide range of industries and processes where localized contaminant capture is needed. Common applications include:

• Welding, Welding Fumes, and Soldering
• Laboratories and Laboratory Fumes
• Metalworking Fumes
• Grinding
• Cutting
• Oil Mist
• Painting
• Polishing
• Packaging
• Light Dust

The right configuration depends on the rate of contaminant generation, how the work is performed, and the physical conditions of the facility. 
For more insight on configurations for welding and metal-shop, read the article below: 

Welding Productivity 

You can also refer to our Industry Solution Page for a list of processes.

This type of system is usually the right choice when contaminants are generated at identifiable points and a flexible local exhaust hood can be positioned close to the source. It often makes sense for fixed or semi-fixed workstations, retrofit applications, and processes where targeted capture is preferred over general dilution. Other solutions may be better where the source is large, poorly defined, constantly moving, or better controlled by enclosure, booth design, or another capture method.

System selection is affected by the following:

• Contaminant type
• Generation rate
• Airflow requirements
• Source location
• Hood style
• Required reach
• Number of workstations
• Mobility needs
• Filtration requirements
• Installation constraints. 

Capture effectiveness of extraction arms also depends on the following criteria:

• Capture velocity
• Cross-drafts
• Makeup air, 
• Distance of hood to emission point.

The right setup should be based on the actual process and operating conditions rather than arm size alone.

Many extraction arm systems can be adapted for existing facilities. Retrofit suitability depends on layout, overhead or wall mounting options, available utilities, duct routing, airflow balance, makeup air, and service access. LEV-CO can help evaluate whether an existing space can support an effective installation and what modifications may be needed for the application.

Routine upkeep may include checking joints and articulations, inspecting the hose and hood, confirming the arm stays in place, and verifying that the connected fan, filter, or dust collection equipment is operating as intended. Long-term maintenance needs depend on the contaminant, frequency of use, working environment, and the materials used in the arm’s construction.

Provided the system is adjusted correctly prior to use, and the hose is configured for your contaminant and application, these extraction arms will provide years of service with minimal maintenance. 

Yes, LEV-CO can help review your application and recommend an extraction arm setup based on your process, contaminant, layout, and operating needs. Effective source capture depends on more than just choosing an arm length or diameter, so application review matters. Our team can help assess practical factors such as workstation reach, hood placement, airflow requirements, and whether a fixed, articulated, telescopic, or filtered arrangement makes the most sense

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

Proper source capture can help improve workplace air quality, but only when the system is designed, installed, and used correctly. Unlike general dilution approaches, extraction arms are intended to capture contaminants at the source before they spread into the worker breathing zone or broader workspace. Because performance depends heavily on arm placement, airflow, and operator use, LEV-CO recommends evaluating the application carefully before selecting this type of control.

Extraction arms are available in several different designs to suit different applications and facility requirements. Common options include:

• Internally supported arms
• Externally supported arms
• Telescopic arms
• Mild steel construction
• Stainless steel construction
• A range of diameters and lengths  depending on the reach and airflow required. 

Extraction arms are typically connected to a fixed extraction fan, filter system, or dust collector either through direct mounting or a header-style duct system.

You can find a full selection by viewing our catalog.

Extraction arms are best suited for localized tasks where contaminants are generated at a defined point and the hood can be positioned close to the source. Common examples include bench welding, soldering, light grinding, cutting, polishing, laboratory work, and oil mist at individual stations. They are generally most effective where the process is fixed or semi-fixed and where consistent source capture is practical.

Once an extraction arm has been selected, practical details such as ease of positioning, joint stability, hood style, workstation reach, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, or other operating conditions become important. System performance also depends on whether the arm stays in place, can be used comfortably by the operator, and fits the actual workflow without interfering with production. 

Extraction Arms can return significant energy savings and improvements in health and safety. However, the precision at which they must be designed, installed, and used can be complex. Lev-Co uses three procedures to determine the design and installation of our extraction arms. These three procedures are OSHA HOC (hierarchy of controls), MOC (management of change), and PSR (pre-start safety review) Lev-Co recommends that these three procedures, when appropriate, should be used when selecting extraction arms as a capture method. 

Here are links to examples of these three procedures: 
OSHA Hierarchy of Controls 
MOC Management of Change Sample Document 
PSR Pre-start Health and Safety Review

Extraction arms offer several practical advantages when the application is well suited to source capture. At the same time, they also have limitations. See below for a list both

Advantages:

• remove airborne contaminants at the source before they enter the worker breathing zone
• lower energy use compared with broader exhaust approaches in many applications
• can reduce the size of filtration equipment needed
• well suited for on-demand control at individual workstations
• may support accessories such as wire feeders, compressed air reels, or electrical cord reels
• can improve visibility with hood-mounted lighting options
• optimized hoods, large-diameter receiving hoods, and hose extensions can help where hood placement is difficult
• some hood designs can be rotated to improve positioning and reduce shadowing
• when used correctly, operators can often see contaminants being drawn away from the process
• portable filtered units can offer added flexibility in some facilities

Limitations:

• performance depends heavily on correct operator positioning and consistent use
• some arms may not be available in the diameters needed for certain capture requirements
• time may be lost repositioning the arm during production
• the arm may not always reach the point of emission effectively
• worker buy-in is not always achieved if capture is inconsistent or awkward to use
• fugitive emissions may still escape into the workspace if placement is poor
• some extraction arms may not be built for demanding environments
• poor design can lead to excessive air velocity, shielding gas disruption, and added air noise

In many applications, extraction arms can be more effective than dilution ventilation because they are intended to capture contaminants near the point of generation rather than after they have spread through the room. This makes them a stronger option where fumes, smoke, mist, dust, vapours, or other process emissions need more targeted control. However, effectiveness still depends on proper design, correct airflow, and whether the extraction arm can actually be positioned where capture is needed.

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

The maintenance costs associated with our extraction arms are considerably low when the system is properly selected and adjusted for the application. Unlike some companies that construct extraction arms out of plastic and diecast white metal, all structural components of our products are made using mild/stainless steel, or aluminum. This can help reduce long-term ownership costs by helping reduce the risk of breakage, joint wear, and other failures that can lead to downtime or early replacement. In many applications, more durable construction also supports longer service life, fewer replacement intervals, and more practical repairability over time.

Energy Saving:
With the use of a local exhaust ventilation system and capture at source functionality, the maintenance costs for your system will ultimately go down as a result of associated efficiency. With capture at source functionality, the area at which extraction is occurring is far smaller than the area a large duct vent would be pulling from, and as a result, far less energy is needed to complete the extraction, which runs components at lower stress levels, and boosts longevity, and reduces energy bills.

Do's:

• Always use for the application and contaminant type the arm was selected for. 
• Follow the equipment manual, use the arm as intended, and make sure the hood is positioned correctly for effective capture.

Don'ts:

• Use for contaminants the arm was not designed to handle, especially where the hose, arm construction, filtration, or system classification is not suitable for the process.

Extraction arms are available with a range of mounting and installation options to suit different facility layouts. Common configurations include wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, bench-mounted, and tabletop-mounted setups, along with accessories that can support adjustable mounting arrangements for greater span and reach. The best installation method depends on how the workspace is arranged, where contaminants are generated, and how much flexibility the operator needs.