Welding allows the permanent joining of two metal parts by fusion or by a filler metal, resulting in the continuity of the characteristics of the materials being joined. In many cases it is necessary to grind the welding excess off, in order to level or reform the profile of the joined parts.

The first attempts at welding date back to the Middle Ages. Then, over the years, this process has become more and more refined thanks to technology, becoming more sophisticated, until it has reached its current high level where the operation is carried out by automated robots.

Welding can be found in almost every sector: nautical, construction, infrastructure, automotive, aerospace, metalworking, handicrafts and, yes, even art. The most visited monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower, is composed of around 18,000 metal elements welded together.

The welding process can be manual, semi-automatic, automatic or robotic, depending on the equipment and method of execution.

Welding can only be performed by qualified personnel and by certified processes. Standards and qualifications differ depending on the field of application and the materials to be welded.

Welding fumes are composed of gases and small particles, which can contain up to more than 40 different substances originating from the processed materials, filler metals or painted surfaces and/or coatings. Overall, welding fumes are hazardous to human health and, in the case of exposure without safety equipment, the extremely fine smoke particles can reach deep into the lungs.

GEF is by your side to protect your workers from emission and exposure to these fumes. In fact, in our catalogue you will find several mobile or centralised solutions that allow you to properly extract fumes from welding operations and collect them in collection bins or drawers.