Cyclogy

Cycology

Searching for the perfect dust collection system can be difficult. CFM, MERV Rating, Decibels, Curve Graphs can make your decision very confusing. Consider below a crash course on dust collection and view the proof why Laguna makes the best Clean Air Systems on the planet.

 

Comparison Chart

laguna tools uk B|Flux 1 C|Flux 1 C|Flux 3 P|Flux 1 P|Flux 3
Price (inc vat) £649 £1799 £2299 £2899 £3499
Wattage (Horsepower) 750 (1) 1100 (1.5) 2200 (3) 1100 (1.5) 2200 (3)
Volts 220-240v 220-240v 220-240v 220-240v 220-240v
Phase 1 1 1 1 1
Plug connection 13amp 16amp 16amp 16amp 16amp
Filter 1 micron 1 micron 1 micron HEPA HEPA
MERV Rating 12 12 12 16+ 16+
Shop airflow (m3/hour) 748 1224 2209 1224 2209
Shop airflow (CFM) 440 720 1299 720 1299
Inlet airflow (m3/hour) 884 1786 3831 1786 3831
Inlet airflow (CFM) 520 1051 2253 1051 2253
Decibels @ 3m 76dB 82dB 82dB 70dB 76dB
Drum Capacity (litres) N/A 95 175 95 175

 

 

Advantages of Laguna

The C|Flux:1 comes standard with a 1 micron canister providing filtration of 99.7% of particles 1 micron or larger.

The C|Flux series can be equipped with an optional auto clean kit either at time of purchase or as an add-on later.

Easy lift drum

The Easy Lift Drum is available on the C|Flux & P|Flux series. Ingenious lift system quickly moves the drum off the floor and seals against the drum lid, avoiding the need for a flex hose.

  • Empty and reload your system with ease
  • No more fumbling with locks and clasps
  • Spring assisted ultra-smooth lever US Patent:8695158 - Easy Lift Drum Mechanism

 

What is CFM & how is it calculated?

CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute is a broad measurement used to calculate how much air can be moved in a given time. This measurement is usually taken with the assistance of a vane air velocity meter or vane anemometer. For the purpose of vacuums, the CFM also communicates the strength of suction on a machine. Thus, a 1200 CFM cyclone dust collector will be more effective than an 800 CFM machine.

Picking the right dust collector based on CFM can be tricky since it’s a general measurement. Adding extra length or width to the duct of your dust collector will decrease the CFM, consequently affecting its performance. At first glance it’s logical to think that since one dust collector has a CFM of 1400, it is the better choice over another that is 1000. However, that 1400 CFM dust collector may have been measured without any attachments (duct, nozzle, etc) at the port of the machine. After all is said and done, the actual CFM of the collector after setup could be only 700 CFM, HALF of what you thought it was originally! Thus, due to the relative nature of the CFM measurement it is best to trust companies that are transparent with how they arrive at their CFM measurements.

CFM Explained

The necessary feet per minute (FPM) to move heavy sawdust is 4000 FPM from a dust collection machine. Since CFM = FPM x Area, hobbyist sized stationary machines require an average of 350 – 450 CFM for sufficient dust collection. Professional machines are harder to be averaged out in a similar way due to the variance in scale from small businesses to corporate sized manufacturing plants.

Here at Laguna Tools we take our measurements based on applicable dust collection scenarios. Instead of measuring at the port of the machine, we take our measurements in the front half of a 12.5-foot testing hose. While this is a bigger size than the standard 10-foot tube, it helps provide a more accurate measurement of the actual CFM. We also test it with different air inlet sizes to arrive at an even more precise measurement for buyer convenience. The diagram below illustrates where we place the air pressure meter and how it is set up.

 

MERV Rating Explained

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Or in English, “how effective is your air filter?” MERV ratings range from 1-16. The higher the MERV rating on a filter, the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) designed the MERV scale to represent a filter’s worst possible performance at removing particles .3 to 10 microns in size.

 

Curve Graphs

Curve graphs give us a visual performance curve for CFM and Static Pressure for each of our Laguna products. You can view each of our products and their performance graphs here.

 

Decibels Described

The decibel (abbreviated dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of a sound. The decibel scale is a little odd because the human ear is incredibly sensitive. Your ears can hear everything from your fingertip brushing lightly over your skin to a loud jet engine. In terms of power, the sound of the jet engine is about 1,000,000,000,000 times more powerful than the smallest audible sound.

On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB.

A few samples for comparison:

  • Near total silence – 0 dB
  • A whisper – 15 dB
  • Normal conversation – 60 dB
  • A lawnmower – 90 dB
  • A car horn – 110 dB
  • A rock concert or a jet engine – 120 dB
  • A gunshot or firecacker – 140 dB
Systems B|Flux 1 C|Flux 1 C|Flux 3 P|Flux 1 P|Flux 3
Decibel Reading 76dB (@9.8ft) 82dB (@9.8ft) 88dB (@9.8ft) 70dB (@9.8ft) 76dB (@9.8ft)

 

How Laguna obtains Decibel Rating:

  • 1st. A Reading is done at a distance of 9.8′ from the inlet at 60” above the floor.
  • 2nd. A Reading is done at a distance of 9.8′ from the opposite side of the inlet at 60” above the floor.

The average of the readings give us the dB rating.

Our Address

Laguna Tools UK
Walker Road,
Bardon Hill,
Leicestershire,
LE67 1TU
United Kingdom

Tel: 01530 516921
sales@lagunatools.uk