Separators help condition cutting fluids

The use of modern separators to condition cutting fluids during continuous production can double the life of the coolant and have a dramatic affect on cutting tool life and the workpiece quality

The use of modern separators to condition cutting fluids during continuous production can double the life of the coolant and have a dramatic affect on cutting tool life and the quality of the workpiece.

The quality of the coolant is critical to tool life in all machining operations.

With many cutting tools costing four-figure sums, and many modern machines carrying multiple tools on a single machine head, maintaining cutting fluid in optimum condition is a major contributor to profitability.

In turn, only cutting tools in perfect condition can produce the finish required from modern operations.

Westfalia Separator uses its separation technology as part of a fluid management process to condition coolant to remove tamp oil, swarf particles, and even the bacteria itself that destroys the coolant quality.

This protects the working environment from odours and possible bacterial attack, saves money by reducing the cost of tools and the amount of new coolant required, and helps maintain product quality.

Coolant, left untreated, suffers from a variety of problems.

* Bacterial build up can create an acid environment.

Coolant then separates and loses its lubricant properties.

* Bacterial build up can clog filters.

If filters become blocked, excessive tool wear can result and machines can be shut down.

* Tramp oil from gearboxes floats on the top of the coolant.

This cuts off the air supply to the coolant causing anaerobic growth.

But just to remove all the bacteria is neither possible nor the answer to the problem.

Remove too much bacteria and the coolant is left open to fungal attack.

This can also block filters.

The trick is to maintain the correct bacterial balance within the coolant to ensure that it stays in good condition.

Westfalia Separators have the ability to remove much of the harmful bacteria in coolant, remove swarf particles and tramp oil as part of the process.

This keeps the coolant in good condition and can double its service life.

The Westfalia OSD2 self-cleaning separator is ideal for this process.

All its product contact surfaces are made from stainless steel making it the only separator of its size that can be fully sterilised after use helping to prevent bacteria being reintroduced into the cleaning fluid.

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