It starts with your serial number. On every Filtrabox system is a manufacturer's serial number label. . Depending on the model, the serial number label may be placed on the front lower base (under display), top or bottom rear of the unit, next to the power cord socket. 

Your serial number will be a 2-4 digit number and will help us determine when the unit was purchased, whom (OEM, distributor or direct sale) the Filtrabox was purchased from. 

By confirming and inputting your serial number into the pre-order form/field, only the filters that are applicable to your model will populate for purchase. 

Each filter in your Filtrabox will also have a part number tag/sticker applied to the body of the filter,  which will help identify what part(s) to order. Examples include:

Pre-filter: FIL-P-TX-428

HEPA: FIL-P-TX-418

Carbon: FIL-G-TX-408

Pro-tip: Take care handling the oxy-carbon filter, these are generally very heavy and can weigh 20-40 lbs each.

We care about the quality and performance of our filters. We protect you by allowing only the most qualified dealers and OEM companies to handle our products. We are grateful to our distribution partners and put all of our trust and support into them so that they can provide you with the best service possible. 

Replacement filters generally should be purchased from where the Filtrabox / laser system was purchased from. Your OEM/distributor will have you already set-up as a customer, for payment and will make the ordering process seamless. Rest assured, pricing is consistent throughout all of our sales  channels.

You can reach us directly by phone at +1-514-840-9696 or by email at info@filtrabox.com.

It starts with reading through our short but complete owner’s manual. If you don’t have a copy, you can download the latest version here. Our 3-steps to maximize filter life document, found [here] is also recommended. The owner's manual will get you familiar with your specific Filtrabox model, filter location and provide instructions on how to check a few things.

What isn’t noted in the owner's manual is that the Filtrabox air-flow range and filter life remaining feature operates on a scale of 1-100%. If your air-flow setting is set to 40% and if you do a filter check test, you’ll get roughly 60% life remaining, even with brand new filters installed. If the air-flow is set to 60%, filter life remaining will be approximately 40%, even with new filters installed. 

The filter check feature is very useful in gauging how much life you have remaining in your filters before replacements are required.

The check filter alarm will trigger, causing your display to flash when your Filtrabox can no longer maintain the preset air-flow setting. It will automatically increase the blower speed as filters get saturated, maintaining your preset setting. Only when it can no longer maintain the preset  air-flow setting is when the check filter alarm will trigger. This generally means the pre-filter, HEPA or both are saturated, needing to be replaced. Proceed with the check filter feature instructions in your owner’s manual. By process of elimination, the Filtrabox will tell you which filter is saturated (pre-filter or HEPA). 

The check filter alarm and check filter feature will not tell you when the oxy-carbon filter needs to be replaced. The oxy-carbon filter does not saturate (reduces air-flow) over time and is not affected by the internal air-flow sensor, check filter alarm or check filter feature. 

We use one of the best sensors available to detect when an oxy-carbon filter is saturated, your nose! Your sense of smell, when a big spike in odors from the laser operation is present, or generally long use of the oxy-carbon filter (10-18 months) are key indicators that the oxy-carbon filter needs to be replaced. 

Alternatively, off the shelf VOC sensors are available in the open market and Filtrabox can make a VOC sensor recommendation based on your specific application(s). However, there are varying levels of quality, price, and sensitivity when it comes to stand-alone sensors. There are many variables that will affect its effectiveness and could potentially lead to false readings or false confidence.

Pro-tip: Final assembly, testing, packaging and shipping of all Filtrabox products are done out of our factory in Quebec, Canada. There’s generally a short lead time for orders but due to size and weight of the filters, they’re mostly shipped via ground service. To minimize downtime, we recommend ordering and keeping spares on hand. Ordering in quantity generally also saves on total shipping costs.

All filters should be bagged and stored in a cool dry place. The pre-filter and HEPA filters have an indefinite shelf life and won’t spoil. Oxy-carbon filters, due to the chemical nature and mixture will degrade, over time, when exposed to air. If carrying an oxy-carbon filter as a spare, keep it bagged. If bagged and stored properly, it’ll have a shelf life of approximately 2 years.

Spent filters may be discarded in the trash. However, consult with your local municipality first to be sure.  Care should be taken when handling and disposing spent filters. Even though the contaminants have been captured deep in the filtration media of the filters, the contaminants can be inadvertently dislodged with rough handling. For extra safety and comfort, we recommend wearing protective gloves, eyewear and face mask when replacing and disposing of the filters.

Our frames are made of aluminum that could be recycled but the fibers, filter media are not recyclable. Breaking open filters to separate recyclable and non recyclable materials is not recommended as it could expose you to the particles, dust and volatile organic compounds captured by the spent filters.

Chances are you’re operating your laser system, producing quality products and seldomly thinking about the Filtrabox fume extractor that it's connected to, removing the smoke, dust, debris and odor causing VOC’s from the laser engraving and cutting process. The Filtrabox fume extractor plays an integral role in your laser operation. Without it properly functioning or with spent  filters, operator/employee health is compromised, laser and production downtime is inevitable. 

Your Filtrabox is equipped with three(3) separate filters that serve three(3) separate functions:

Pre-filter: The pre-filter is the first line of defense. It collects the larger particulates and is generally the first filter that gets clogged , requiring replacement most frequently. 

HEPA: The HEPA filter is the second filter in line. It’s intended to capture the smallest particles (0.3 micron and smaller ) that can get past the pre-filter. As the pre-filter does most of the initial particle capturing, the HEPA generally can last 2 times  as long as the pre-filter or longer.

OXY-Carbon (Carbon): The oxy-carbon filters sole purpose is to capture gaseous chemical compounds called VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), the nasty smell from laser cutting plastics, acrylic and other laser compatible materials. Depending on the application and production volume, the Oxy-carbon filter can last as long as the prefilter and sometimes even out-last the HEPA filter.  (highly dependent on application).

Unfortunately it’s not one with an easy answer. Life of each filter is greatly dependent on your application(s), materials being processed and hours of daily use. 

Heavy wood processing (cutting or engraving) will have a greater impact on the pre-filter life. Due to the sticky residue / particles from wood processing, the pre-filter tends to get saturated quicker whereas the oxy-carbon may last 2 years. 

Heavy acrylic processing (cutting or engraving) will have a greater impact on the oxy-carbon filter life. This is due to the VOC’s generated from acrylic cutting. The oxy-carbon filter may last 8-12 months whereas the pre-filter may last over a year. 

Processing materials such as glass, painted metals, anodized aluminum and other applications where there’s little smoke, particles or VOC’s results in the longest life of filters, across the board. 

If the application is a combination of all, operating at a mild rate of 4-6 hours daily- The general life expectancy of the pre-filter can be 3-6 months, HEPA can be 4-8 months and the oxy-carbon filter lasting 10-18 months. 

Pro-tip: If you’ve had long use of your Filtrabox and you’re barely replacing your first pre-filter, it’s possible the HEPA is not too far behind so consider ordering a HEPA as a spare, for when it’s needed. 

Pro-tip: The frames of our filters are made of rigid aluminum and make for a good writing surface. When replacing a filter, write down the date which it was replaced, with a permanent marker, directly on the filter. Over time, you’ll be able to gauge frequency, based on your use and applications. 

Pro-tip: Maximize your filter life by only replacing the filter(s) when it’s absolutely required. If you purchased spares, don’t replace it just to replace it. Wait until it’s necessary as the three(3) separate filters wear at different intervals, rarely requiring you to replace them all at once.

No- Filtrabox pre-filters and HEPA filters are designed to maximize capture efficiency for ultrafine laser particulates. Compressed air, cleaning agents or other cleaning methods may result in a damaged or inefficient filtration. Our oxy-carbon filters contain a mixture of coconut shell activated carbon and potassium permanganate The adsorption and chemical reactions that take place between the contaminants and the media are not reversible.