Filtration system for collecting and filtering particles and fumes from ablative imaging plates

A filtration process, comprising the steps of:

• filtering ablative particles generated by thermal imaging of media using a plurality of filters;
• detecting a parameter representing a current state of said filters using a plurality of first sensors;
• providing a movable access door, said access door operable to provide access to at least one of said plurality of filters;
• providing a second sensor operable to represent a current state of said access door;
• and
• detecting a parameter representing a current state of said access door using said second sensor.

A filtration unit, comprising:

• a housing;
• a plurality of filters configured to filter ablative particles generated by thermal imaging of media and positioned within the housing;
• a plurality of first sensors positioned within said housing, each one of said plurality of first sensors configured to detect a parameter representing a current state of a respective one of said plurality of filters;
• an air-mover configured to move the ablative particles to each of said plurality of filters, said air-mover positioned within said housing;
• and
• a second sensor positioned within said housing, said second sensor configured to detect a parameter representing a current state of said air-mover.