Kevin D. said:
Now I understand the self-cleaning and how this works. I wonder how much the bags will cost though.
496187 - 5 Filter bags for CT 26 - $31.00
496186 - 5 Filter bags for CT 36 - $35.50
Just to elaborate on what Rick said about the self-cleaning bags, which is a pretty neat technology, here are some more details.
It's in the bag.
The new Cleantex CT 26 and CT 36 models feature a self-cleaning filter bag that solves a problem that plagues other dust extractors and vacuums. During normal use, fine particles of dust cling to the inner lining of the filter bag resulting in caking. This coating of dust lowers the effective suction power dramatically resulting in poor extraction efficiency and performance. Caking can also cause additional strain on your dust extractor's motor and contribute to premature failure.
Festool has addressed this issue by developing a unique pliable fleece filter bag. Because the bag is not rigid like many other types of bags, such as paper bags, it prevents caking. This means that your Festool CT 26 or CT 36 dust extractor continues to deliver full suction until the bag is virtually completely full. Other manufacturers' bags do not counter this caking effect and suction is reduced dramatically throughout the use of the bag, often resulting in a situation where suction is lost before the bag is completely full. When this occurs, you're paying full price for a partially used bag.
The Festool filter bag also serves as a pre-filter and is able to trap dust particles down to five millionths of a meter, or 5 microns. This is about the same size as a red blood cell. By arresting these small particles, in addition to larger chips, the bag extends the life of your main HEPA filter, reducing wear and tear as well as the expense of frequent filter replacement.
Bag disposal is quick and mess-free. An integrated closure on the bag shuts the opening to prevent spilling. The material is made to be tear resistant and prevent bag blow outs which can be messy to clean up. Now, that's smart.
Principles of the Self-Cleaning Filter Bag
Refer to the image below.
During the first stage, the dust extractor has been used for a period of time. As air is drawn in from the hose and expelled through the exhaust housing in the rear, a layer of dust particles has begun to build up on the bag lining. This is build up is typical in all types of vacuum and extractor bags.
In the next stage, power has been turned off. With the Cleantex CT 26 and 36 units' self-cleaning filter bag, the pliable bag material allows it to begin to collapse when suction is removed. The bag crumples onto itself as it deflates. The crumpling helps break up dust clinging to the bag lining.
As the dust extractor is turned back on, the bag reinflates quickly. The bag "snaps" back into its inflated position which further breaks loose dust particles and they fall to the bottom of the bag.
Suction efficiency as bag fills.
In the graph below, we compare the suction efficiency (cubic feet per minute, or CFM) as the filter bag fills up. A standard filter bag's performance is represented in red, the newly developed Cleantex self-cleaning filter bag is shown in green.
Over time, from left to right, the filter bag is going from empty to completely full. From top to bottom, we see the level of suction being produced. Over time, the self-cleaning filter bag retains near-full suction until the bag is full. Conversely, a standard bag causes the vacuum to reduce in suction efficiency the more full the bag.
This and more coming soon to a web browser near you, with complete details on the new CTs.