How to Size a Filtermist Oil Mist Collector
Oil mist is an unavoidable by-product of CNC machining. Without effective extraction, airborne coolant mist can affect operator comfort, contaminate machine electrics, reduce visibility inside the enclosure, and increase cleaning and maintenance time.
Filtermist oil mist collectors remove airborne coolant mist at source, helping to protect your team and your equipment. The key is selecting a unit with the correct airflow for your specific machine enclosure and application.
How Filtermist sizing works
Filtermist uses a straightforward calculation to estimate the airflow requirement for a specific machine. Start by calculating the internal volume of the machine, then roughly allow for internal components such as machine table, workholding, turret, chuck, slant bed, guarding, and other equipment inside the enclosure.
Step 1: Calculate the gross enclosure volume:
Width × Depth × Height = gross volume (m³)
Step 2: Subtract internal equipment volume:
Gross volume (m³) × (100% − internal equipment %) = void volume (m³)
Step 3: Convert void volume into airflow:
Void volume (m³) × air changes per minute × 60 = required airflow (m³/hr)
Filtermist generally uses 6 air changes per minute as a standard baseline for CNC machine enclosures.
Worked example
Enclosure dimensions
- Width: 2.5 m
- Depth: 1.5 m
- Height: 1.75 m
Gross volume = 2.5 × 1.5 × 1.75 = 6.56 m³
If we allow 20% of the enclosure volume for internal components, the void volume becomes: 6.56 m³ × 0.8 = 5.25 m³
Airflow requirement = 5.25 × 6 × 60 = 1,890 m³/hr
This aligns with the Filtermist FX6002 unit in the FX range.
Use the sizing calculator
Use the calculator below to estimate your airflow requirement and the closest matching unit. If you would like confirmation, send the result to Vertech directly from the calculator.
Filtermist Unit Sizing Calculator
Calculate required airflow based on enclosure volume, internal equipment volume, and air changes per minute.
Enter your email address and click Send. Your email app will open with the details pre-filled.
| Model | Airflow (m³/hr) |
|---|
Note: This tool provides a sizing estimate. Final specification can depend on the machining process, coolant pressure, and installation method.
Need help selecting the right unit?
If you would like Vertech to confirm the best unit, please contact us directly:
Email: sales@vertech.co.za
Phone: 021 715 6789