Design optimization and performance assessment of a dust collection system for angle grinders using wire cup brushes

초록

During grinding with an angle grinder, fine particles are released into the air, posing health risks to workers. In this study, a dust collection system was developed and optimized for a wire cup brush. Blades were attached to the wire cup brush to induce airflow toward the hood inlet during rotation, allowing particles to be more effectively captured. Four geometric parameters including blade length, blade attachment angle, hood diameter, and hood installation angle were optimized using Response Surface Methodology. The optimized geometry was fabricated, and suction airflow at the hood outlet was experimentally validated. Particle number concentrations were measured while grinding two types of rusted specimens. When the developed dust collection device was applied under vacuum suction, more than 96.6% particle reduction (≤4 μm) was achieved compared to grinding without any collection system. Additionally, a simplified configuration was tested by attaching only an E11-grade filter to the hood outlet without vacuum suction, under which over 80.2% particle reduction (≤4 μm) was observed. This demonstrated that sufficient airflow for effectively capturing respirable particles could be generated by the rotating blades alone. The proposed design offers a practical solution for improving both dust collection performance and operational convenience in various industrial settings.

키워드