Dust systems bought machine-by-machine end up as a museum of adapters. Sizing the trunk line once, before the next machine arrives, costs less and works better.
Add up open ports, not machines
The extractor never sees your machine list — it sees whichever gates are open at once. Size airflow for the two or three biggest ports that genuinely run together and no more.
Velocity keeps pipes clean
Chips settle below roughly 20 metres per second in the duct. A trunk too fat for its airflow clogs at the first elbow; smaller pipe run faster beats bigger pipe run slow.
Cyclones earn their height
Dropping chips before the filter keeps suction constant between cleanings. If ceiling height allows a cyclone, the filter maintenance calendar mostly disappears.
Put gates where hands already are
A blast gate nobody can reach stays open, and every open gate taxes the system. Mount gates at operator height beside the switch and the discipline takes care of itself.
