WALTAIR GUARD Pro - compact extraction for CNC machining
A compact unit with integrated fan that fits on a single CNC machine as well as on a small group of adjacent machines. The filter stages can be matched to the process - from coarse emulsion mist through oil mist and coolant mist to high-efficiency aerosol capture.
WALTAIR GUARD Pro - compact unit with integrated fan
Does WALTAIR GUARD Pro fit your application?
When WALTAIR GUARD Pro is the right choice
WALTAIR GUARD Pro is a compact system, not a stationary large-scale installation. The points below help you judge whether it matches your requirement or whether another solution from our portfolio serves you better.
A good fit when:
- You want to extract oil mist, emulsion mist or dust from a single CNC milling or turning machine
- Several smaller machining centres in close proximity are to be served by one central unit for dust and mist extraction
- The required airflow is in the range up to around 4,000 m³/h
- A modular filter configuration that can evolve with the process is desirable
- You have floor space for a unit with approx. 0.9 x 1.20 m footprint
Not a fit - we recommend alternatives:
- Pure oil mist in large halls or fan powers well above 4,000 m³/h - a stationary oil mist separator is the right choice.
- Predominantly welding fumes with significant particulate load - a dedicated welding fume extraction system is purpose-built for that.
- High-volume dry chips from aluminium or steel machining - see our chip extraction systems.
You will find suitable alternatives further down in the comparison section.
Typical applications
Which machines and processes WALTAIR GUARD Pro serves as an aerosol separator
As a coolant mist extraction and aerosol separator the system is designed brand-neutral. Sizing depends on airflow, coolant type and the capture situation at the machine - not on the machine make. The examples below show where WALTAIR GUARD Pro is typically deployed.
Machine and equipment types
- 5-axis machining centres (vertical and horizontal)
- 3-axis milling and vertical machining centres (VMC)
- Mill-turn and multitasking machines
- CNC lathes with driven tools
- Grinding machines with emulsion or oil coolant
- Honing machines
- HSC machining centres for high-speed cutting
- Deep-hole drilling machines with high coolant pressure
Processes and coolants
- Wet machining with water-miscible coolant (emulsion)
- Hard turning and hard milling with cutting oil
- High pressure coolant (HPC)
- Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) with aerosol carryover
- Steel, cast iron and hard-metal machining
- Steel machining with aerosol formation
The mechanical connection is made via site-provided ducting at the 400 mm smooth-tube suction spigot and is independent of the machine tool manufacturer. Sizing is driven by airflow, coolant properties and capture geometry.
Filter stages and process mapping
Which filter combination for which process?
As an aerosol separator WALTAIR GUARD Pro runs up to three filter stages in series. Each stage has a clear purpose. The sensible combination depends on what you need to pull out of the airstream - from coarse coolant mist through fine oil mist aerosol to particulate matter.
Stage 1 - wire mesh (demister)
A coarse coalescing filter made of metal mesh. It separates droplets and aerosols from the raw airstream before they can load the downstream fine filters. Without this stage, F9 and H13 filters would not hold up in wet processes.
Stage 2 - fine filter class F9
The filter stage that balances service life and cost. For most CNC applications as a coolant mist separator - emulsion or oil mist carryover - the combination of wire mesh plus F9 is sufficient and economical.
Stage 3 - HEPA filter class H13
High-efficiency particulate filter for applications with elevated air-quality requirements - when the finest aerosols must be captured reliably. The three-stage variant combines wire mesh, F9 and H13.
Possible combinations
Wire mesh + F9
Wire mesh + wire mesh + F9
Wire mesh + F9 + H13
The pressure drops of the stages add up. The unit has a variable-speed controller, so the airflow can be adapted to the actual filter loading - which keeps energy consumption down over the life of the filters.
Integration with your site
What should be prepared on site
WALTAIR GUARD Pro arrives as a compact unit - commissioning, however, assumes the interface to the building and to the machine is in place. The points below are the most common sizing pitfalls we see.
Electrical supply
Three-phase 400 V / 50 Hz, protected according to the rated current of the integrated fan. A site-provided motor protection switch is recommended.
Ducting connection
The suction spigot has a smooth-tube outer diameter of 400 mm. Flexible hose sections help isolate vibrations from the rigid ductwork.
Installation space
Approx. 0.9 m wide, 1.20 m long, 0.7 m high. Filter changes and inspections need at least 0.6 m of free access all around the unit and at least 1 m above it.
Condensate and wet separation
Emulsion and oil-mist operation produces filtrate. A site-provided hose with a siphon must be fitted to the integrated 1/2-inch drain and routed to a collection vessel or to the machine's central sump.
Mounting
Floor mounting with M10 bolts. In vibration-sensitive environments, add elastic mounts between the unit and the floor.
Maintenance and filter changes
Running the unit - what to do regularly
Filter service life varies strongly with the process. An F9 filter in welding-fume extraction lasts far longer than the same filter behind a CNC machine running intensive wet cutting. Visible filter loading and a drop in capture performance at the machine are the most reliable indicators in practice.
Weekly visual check
Check the drain for flow, verify the speed controller setting, inspect the housing for external soiling and sealing.
Filter change as needed
Wire mesh can be cleaned and reused. F9 and H13 filters are replaced. Replacement filter media are available from WALTER - just get in touch.
Annual inspection
We recommend an annual inspection by our service technicians - covering motor check, seal inspection and documentation of the maintenance status.
Compared with stationary systems
WALTAIR GUARD Pro or a stationary filter - which when?
WALTAIR GUARD Pro is a compact unit with a fixed performance envelope. Above certain thresholds, a stationary, project-specific filter system is more economical - in particular for much higher airflows or when several processes with different requirements converge.
| Criterion | WALTAIR GUARD Pro | Stationary system (project-specific) |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | up to approx. 4,000 m³/h | any, typically 5,000 to 60,000 m³/h |
| Installation | relocatable, floor-level | fixed, often outside or in plant rooms |
| Filter configuration | three predefined stages | freely configurable, process-specific |
| Capital cost | lower, standard unit | higher, project-specific |
| Typical use | single machine or small group | department, hall, full process |
Alternatives in our portfolio
If WALTAIR GUARD Pro does not fit, these are the nearest alternatives from our product line:
Technical data
Sizing at a glance
The fan delivers up to 4,000 m³/h with a continuously variable speed control on the unit. The footprint is approx. 0.9 m wide by 1.20 m long, with a height of 0.7 m - small enough for tight installation spots. Electrical supply is three-phase 400 V / 50 Hz, the suction spigot has a 400 mm smooth-tube diameter. The unit is bolted down with M10 screws. Pressure drops add up across the selected filter combination - the fan is sized accordingly, so that the three-stage setup with wire mesh plus F9 plus H13 operates reliably.
Sizing and advice
Have WALTAIR GUARD Pro sized for your process
Variants, filter configuration and lead time are agreed directly with you. Describe your process - machining type, coolant and capture situation at the machine - and we will come back with a concrete recommendation.
Request engineering adviceFrequently asked
WALTAIR GUARD Pro - what customers want to know before they enquire
Is WALTAIR GUARD Pro sufficient for my 5-axis machining centre?
For most 5-axis centres in the standard range, the airflow of up to 4,000 m³/h is sufficient. The exact suitability depends on machining intensity, the coolant in use, and the capture geometry at the machine. We are happy to size it with you.
Can the unit be installed outdoors?
Not as a standard. WALTAIR GUARD Pro is designed for installation inside production spaces. For outdoor installation, please get in touch - in some cases this can be solved with additional weather protection.
How often do the filters need to be replaced?
It depends on the process. Under dry welding-fume extraction, service life typically runs to several months. Under intensive wet cutting, the F9 filter may require replacement every few weeks. Visible filter loading and a drop in capture performance at the machine are the most reliable indicators.
Can I run two WALTAIR GUARD Pro units in parallel?
Yes, this is a common solution when the demand exceeds 4,000 m³/h or when two different processes need their own filter configuration. Each unit is then connected directly at its respective capture point.
Are replacement filters available at short notice?
Replacement media for wire mesh, F9 and H13 can be delivered at short notice. Lead time for a new unit is typically 8 to 10 weeks - replacement parts are much shorter.
Does WALTAIR GUARD Pro suit coolant mist extraction with high pressure coolant (HPC)?
Yes. High pressure coolant above 40 bar generates particularly fine coolant mist that, without effective extraction, remains in the workshop air. WALTAIR GUARD Pro captures it with the wire mesh plus F9 combination; for very fine aerosol fractions we recommend the three-stage variant with an additional H13 filter. The prerequisite is an enclosed machine cabin with a defined exhaust point.
Does it work with minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) or hard machining with cutting oil?
Yes. MQL and hard machining generate very fine oil mist aerosol, sometimes with thermally stressed media. For these processes the three-stage combination wire mesh plus F9 plus H13 is typically the right choice, because it captures sub-micron droplets reliably. The variable-speed controller helps adapt the airflow to the actual load.
Does WALTAIR GUARD Pro work as an aerosol separator on machines from any manufacturer?
Yes. The connection is made via site-provided ducting at the 400 mm smooth-tube suction spigot and is independent of the machine tool manufacturer. We deploy the aerosol separator in a brand-neutral way on common CNC machining and turning centres - sizing depends on airflow, coolant type and the capture situation, not on the machine make.
Would you like to discuss sizing or do you have questions about WALTAIR GUARD Pro? Describe your application.
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