Mixing CNC coolant in your machines plays a crucial and indispensable role in ensuring and sustaining the high levels of productivity that we rely on. The proper maintenance and management of CNC coolant is vital to your machines’ smooth operation and extended lifespan. By ensuring the adequate circulation and utilization of coolant, you can optimize machine performance, maximize efficiency, and significantly prolong the life expectancy of your valuable equipment.
This blog aims to provide valuable insights and cost-efficient methods for effectively blending CNC coolants.
Importance of Proper Coolant Mixing:
The coolant in CNC machines has a dual purpose: to cool the machine components and provide lubrication. This safeguards the cutting elements against excessive wear and tear. However, improper coolant mixing can lead to many issues. Some of these are reduced tool life, poor surface finish, and even machine damage. Maintaining the correct coolant concentration is crucial for optimal machine performance and longevity.
Understanding Coolant Concentration:
Concentration is the ratio of coolant to water for mixing CNC coolant. While this ratio can vary depending on the specific operation and the manufacturer’s recommendation, maintaining this balance is paramount. Routine monitoring and timely adjustment of the coolant concentration are essential aspects of coolant management.
Manual Mixing Versus Automated Mixing:
While seemingly cost-effective, manual mixing of coolants leaves room for error and inconsistencies. This also increases your manual labor costs. Conversely, automated mixing ensures precision and consistency. This will start at a slightly higher initial cost. Nonetheless, this expenditure justifies the long-term advantages and cost savings resulting from decreased machine downtime and extended lifespan.
Economical Ways for Mixing CNC coolant:
Investing in cost-effective coolant mixers with precision and durability results in significant long-term savings. Venturi Mixers are an excellent cost-effective solution for small facilities looking for precise concentration.
Another option to explore is a coolant proportioning pump or a dosatron unit. These options offer excellent precision at mixing and delivering the mixed coolant at a slightly higher cost than a Venturi mixer. The primary benefit of these units is their ability to be permanently affixed to a wall and connected to the machine’s plumbing system for direct delivery of the coolant mixture.
Modern automated coolant management systems like the Dazzle™ 1 or the more robust Dazzle™ 2 by Zebra Skimmers can help monitor and maintain the ideal coolant concentration, monitoring, mixing, and delivery.
Strategies for Reducing Coolant Costs:
- Regular maintenance and cleaning of the CNC machine and coolant system
- Proper training of employees in coolant management
- Bulk purchasing and negotiating vendor contracts
Long-Term Benefits of Efficient Coolant Management:
Effective coolant management reduces machine wear and tear, leading to direct cost savings, and improves the efficiency and lifespan of your CNC machines. More importantly, it positively impacts environmental sustainability by reducing waste and promoting recycling.
Effectively mixing CNC coolant involves making intelligent investments, performing routine maintenance, and closely monitoring its performance. By adopting these cost-saving practices, you can ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your machines while also contributing to a greener planet. Zebra Skimmers encourage all fellow professionals to embrace these strategies.
Please share your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions in the comments below to participate in this valuable conversation.
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About Zebra Skimmers:
Our mission has always been simple. It is to provide the metal working industry with the oil skimmers and metalworking fluid management systems they need to complete jobs quickly and efficiently. Innovative and affordable solutions have gained us many accolades. Our continued growth is due in no small part to our excellent customer service… Not to mention our satisfaction guarantees and the performance of our tools.
Among our diverse options of oil skimmers and metal working fluid management systems, you can expect to find:
- Coolant management equipment, which includes coolant mixers, proportioning pumps, and also coolant automation systems to mix and deliver fluid solutions at the desired concentrations.
- Industrial oil skimmers, including tramp oil belt skimmers, disk skimmers, tube oil skimmers, and individual sump coalescers as well for the removal of surface and tramp oils from fluids.
- Aeration or circulation equipment and sump odor control tablets to control fluid odor and overall machine shop smell
- Industrial fluid monitoring equipment, including brix refractometers to verify fluid solution concentrations, pH test strips and also water hardness testing sticks.