First, if you would like to learn what signs to look for before replacing a filter bag please read the following section about Basic Filter Bag Information and Maintenance. This section describes the most common indicators of a full filter bag and some basic advice to extend the life of any dust collector. If you already know what to look for please proceed to the How to Replace a Vaniman Filter Bag section to get step-by-step instructions.
Basic Filter Bag Information and Maintenance
The one area of dust collector maintenance that tends to be missed by most is the replacement of filter bags on a routine basis. Filter bags, found in the Vaniman Vanguard series, collect the material generated at the workstation as well as providing sufficient cooling of the motor. There are two compelling reasons for establishing a routine filter bag maintenance schedule. First, when a filter bag is full there will generally be a reduction of suction at the workstation, resulting in an increasingly dusty work area. It’s important to keep in mind that fine dust material such as die stone and porcelain will accelerate the need for inspection and replacement.
The second and least understood the reason for setting up a routine maintenance schedule is the detrimental effect that the lack of adequate airflow will have on the life of the motor. If the filter is full of dust and debris, the airflow through the filter and the motor will decrease causing the motor to run hotter than normal. This will shorten motor life significantly. Vaniman’s two-stage filter bags, VMC –A400, are made with a synthetic fiber that will capture 95% of all dust down to 1 micron. The unique design traps the particles, filling the bag from the bottom up. The bag is considered full when upon inspection, the collected material fills approximately 2/3 of the bag. The bags were designed this way to ensure there will be enough air-flow through the motor at all times It is important to utilize genuine Vaniman filter bags in your Vaniman dust collector because if one of its filter bag fails, causing the dust collector to require repairs, Vaniman will make repairs to the unit free of charge.
How to Replace a Vaniman Filter Bag
Remove the cover: Remove the two screw knobs on the side of the dust collector (Figure 1-2) and remove the cover which will expose the filter (Figure 3) and allow its removal. It is important to inspect the filter cavity at this time. If dust is present, the filter bag may have been torn when installing or the seal around the inlet tube was not tight. Vacuum out any dust before inserting the new filter bag.
Installing the new filter bag: While facing the exposed filter housing, slip the cardboard reinforcement with the rubber seal over the end of the inlet tube. Tilt the edge of the cardboard closest to you downward and slip the back edge up past the end of the tube then rotate the front edge upward over the tube end (Figure 4-5). Look into the top of the inlet tube to make sure that the rubber seal is completely seated (Figure 9). You should not be able to see any part of the seal from this view. Carefully tuck the edges of the filter bag into the filter cavity and replace the cover, gently tightening the screw knobs.
Advanced Tip – Taking it One Step Further
The best way to achieve the lowest cost of ownership with any Vaniman bag type dust collector is to utilize the Accumulator pre filter. The Accumulator will collect about 95% of all dust generated before it gets to the filter bag, thus, increasing its life. The removable canister makes for easy dust disposal and precious metal reclamation.
The new XL version of the Accumulator is the perfect answer for labs that utilize “High Volume” (4” or larger vacuum lines) central vacuum systems or individual units and complain that they do not provide enough suction at the work station. This usually occurs when filters in these units are full of fine dust from model trimming and porcelain dust. If the filters are permeated with these fine particles, air movement through the collector decreases significantly causing a drop off in suction. In addition, the motor of the dust collector will run hotter, shortening the life of the motor.