CHIPS AND COOLANT
with the same specifi cations as new coolant. The challenge has been how to achieve the best results at a lower capital cost.” One part of the equation is the need for precision cutting. That, in turn, affects other steps in the process. “The demand for high-precision parts is growing in multiple industries, especially in the medical industry,” said Neb Petrovic, director of machine tool products at Mayfran International Inc. (Cleveland). “In order to achieve this, high-precision tools are required to machine the parts within tolerance,” he said. “The coolant quality is a critical component for maintaining the high level of precision. In order to clean the coolant properly, high-end separator conveyors are required to remove the fi ne particles from the coolant.” Removing chips from coolant “is important so that toler- ances of the parts and tool life can be maintained,” said Darrell Milton, market manager, metals recycling for Eriez (Erie, PA). “Chips that recirculate in the coolant can score or pit expensive parts as well as cause premature damage to ma- chine tool and grinding wheels,” Milton said in a written state- ment. “With large dollar machine tool investments, demands from aerospace and medical manufacturers and others to maintain critical tolerances and eliminate potential damage to expensive components, precision is essential.” Coolant formulas have also changed, including vegetable-
based fl uids instead of traditional oil-based ones. “New coolants can be very challenging for us,” Friedrich Bitterwolf, director of engineering at Jorgensen Conveyors Inc. (Mequon, WI), said in a written statement. He said coolant “can have physical impact on our con- veyor and fi ltration systems,” and the company focuses “on
making sure that our component materials are compatible with the coolant chemistry.” For example, he said, “We have made stainless steel tanks for many years with zinc-coated parts inside.” How- ever, “the introduction of a new coolant generated a reaction with the two metals and the liquid coolant. We had to sud- denly change the materials of our product to accommodate the use of this coolant.”
What follows is a look at the strategy of some companies.
Machining Precision Parts Sanborn Technologies’ lineup of products includes fi ltra- tion systems and centrifuges. The company’s equipment is designed to remove fi ne solids and tramp oil. West said in his more than 30 years in the industry, “the
core technologies have not changed. We can improve some designs and features, but the core technologies are the same. What has changed is how to process coolant to achieve a cleaner recycled product, at a higher throughput and at a lower cost per gallon.” Machine tool makers “are the real drivers in this selection
process,” West said. “They are the ones that examine quality and performance of the coolant and specify requirements for coolants that are used in their equipment.” According to West, the problem is getting the end user of the machine tools to also invest in recycling systems. “What is happening out in the fi eld is a lack in under- standing in the value of coolant recycling,” he said. “I am amazed, on a regular basis, by how many machining opera- tions still employ no coolant recycling programs at all. And this is not just small shops, but major manufacturing opera- tions as well…It is much easier to spend operating cash than get capital expenditures approved for ‘nonproductive’ equipment.” Manufacturing precision parts,
he said, “requires more control over coolant quality. This, in turn, requires better performing coolant recycling systems. The problem is convincing the customer it is worth the additional capital investment.” West said the Sanborn products
A chip and coolant management system from PRAB. 60
AdvancedManufacturing.org | January 2017
most affected by environmental regulations are its ultrafi ltration (UF) systems, which are “primarily used
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124
