Apparatus for removing polluting matter arising in flame cutting and like operations

An apparatus for removing polluting matter arising in flame cutting and like operations, such as fumes, dust or minute particles, said apparatus being intended for use in combination with a perforated cutting table and a cutting assembly movably arranged above the cutting table and including one or more cutter units, wherein a suction hood is associated with each of the cutter units of the cutting assembly and connected to a suction device, an upwardly facing suction box disposed beneath the cutting table extends transversely of the width of said table and is movable along it, said suction box being connected to the suction device and displaceable together with the cutting assembly with the aid of a device operable by sensing means sensing the position of the cutting assembly so that said box will be located beneath the working area of said cutting assembly, and the movable suction box is provided with means for reducing the speed of jets directed from the flame cutters towards the interior of said suction box and laden with gases, fumes, dust, minute particles and like polluting matter.