Evaluating fabrics for dust collector filter bags
A significant portion of the dust collector market -- particularly owners of the smaller dust collectors that dominate industry -- are reluctant to try new filter bag fabrics. Perhaps the paramount reason is lack of sufficient laboratory data. When you've committed substantial money, and if what you're using works, you'll probably resist any sales pitch that comes without sufficient test data. Instead, you may adhere to the time-honored philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
This article illustrates that sufficient comparative test data is available, enabling you to intelligently choose a different filter bag fabric. Criteria are presented for evaluating fabric constructions and energy consumption. The article also compares the filter bag fabrics available for use in shaker-clean, pulse-clean, and reverse air dust collectors.