Fittings

Ductwork Fittings: Key Components of a Dust Collection System

Ductwork fittings (elbows, tees, transitions, dampers) are the most stressed and critical elements in industrial aspiration systems. It is at these points that the direction of flow changes, leading to maximum abrasive wear and pressure loss. The longevity and energy efficiency of the entire system depend on the correct choice of the fittings' geometry and durability.

Quality fittings connect individual rigid ducts into a single, airtight line, ensuring the smooth movement of air and collected particles.

Types of Ductwork Fittings

Elbows (Bends)

Elbows, which change the direction of the duct run, wear out the fastest. Hard particles (shavings, dust) moving at high speed collide with the outer wall of the elbow, which eventually leads to the metal wearing through. To counteract this, special engineering solutions are used for industrial elbows:

• Increased Bend Radius: Unlike standard ventilation elbows, aspiration system elbows are manufactured with a large radius (R/D ≥ 1.5–2.0). This provides a smoother turn for the airflow, reduces the impact force of particles, and significantly extends the part's service life.
• Increased Wall Thickness: For use in abrasive environments, we use heavy-gauge steel, typically from 1.0 to 2.0 mm, which significantly exceeds the standards for regular ventilation. This ensures that the elbow will not wear through prematurely, even under intensive use.

Tees and Transitions

Any branching or change in the duct diameter creates additional resistance, forcing the fan to work harder. The correct geometry of tees and transitions minimizes these losses.

• Tees and Y-Branches: Designed to merge or split airflows. For aspiration systems, a smooth internal geometry is important to prevent turbulence and reduce aerodynamic resistance. We offer tees with 30°, 45°, and 90° angles, as well as Y-branches for smoother flow separation.
• Transitions: Used to smoothly change the ductwork diameter. An abrupt narrowing or expansion of the line causes turbulence and pressure loss. The design of our transitions ensures a gradual change in cross-section, maintaining laminar flow and saving energy.

Dampers (Slide Gates)

A damper is a slide gate used to fully or partially block a duct. In aspiration systems, they are used to shut off inactive branches to maintain suction power in the active parts of the system.

Important Rule: It is recommended to use dampers only in the two extreme positions—"fully open" or "fully closed." Using a damper for partial flow control (e.g., half-closed) is inefficient as it creates significant noise, vibration, and also leads to the accumulation of dust and shavings behind the gate.

We manufacture dampers from galvanized or stainless steel of sufficient thickness to prevent deformation and ensure a tight seal.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Fittings

The right choice of fittings directly impacts the system's durability and efficiency. Skimping on these key components often leads to greater costs in the future. The most common mistakes are:

• Using standard ventilation elbows: Their small radius and thin steel are not designed for abrasive loads, leading to rapid wear.
• Insufficient bend radius: Even with industrial elbows, choosing too small a radius increases system resistance and the rate of wear.
• Skimping on steel thickness: Choosing fittings made from metal that is too thin is the most common cause of premature system failure and the need for costly repairs.

Materials and Connection Types

All fittings are made from the same materials as the straight ducts—high-quality galvanized (DX51D+Z275) or black (S235) steel. For special conditions, production from stainless steel is also possible.

Thickness Recommendation: Since fittings are subjected to more intense wear than straight sections, it is recommended to use steel at least one step thicker (e.g., by 0.2-0.3 mm) for them than for the main line.

Our fittings are produced with two end types, ensuring full compatibility with your system:

• Rolled Edge — for quick connection using clamps.
• With Welded Flanges — for a rigid bolted connection via flanges.

Custom Manufacturing and Repair

As a manufacturer, we can produce custom fittings based on your drawings or sketches. If an elbow or tee with unique angles or dimensions in your system has worn out, we will manufacture an exact copy for a quick replacement, minimizing your production downtime.

Ordering and Supply

Our engineers will help you select the right fittings for your project. Contact us to order standard components or to have custom parts manufactured from your drawings.