When should I use a receiving hood vs. a fume arm?

Use a receiving hood when the workpiece stays in a fixed location and the process consistently generates fumes, dust, or mist in a predictable direction—such as welding or grinding small parts on a bench. Receiving hoods provide a stable capture zone without requiring the operator to reposition the equipment.

A fume extraction arm is better for manual or variable work where the operator moves frequently or the weld plume changes position. Arms allow precise, close-range source capture by positioning the hood directly at the point of generation. They are ideal for rework, repair and maintenance tasks where flexibility and mobility are critical.