I. Background
The main contaminants of cutting fluid are metal powder, grit fines, floating oil, free water, as well as microorganisms. These contaminants degrade coolant performance, reduce tool life, and can cause health issues for operators.
II. Problem Statement
A machining facility was experiencing:
- Rapid coolant degradation requiring frequent replacement
- Shortened tool life due to contaminated coolant
- Unpleasant odors from bacterial growth
- High disposal costs for spent coolant
III. VWALVE Solution
VWALVE installed a tramp oil skimmer system to continuously remove floating oil from the coolant sump. The rope mop skimmer design provides:
- Maximum oil recovery rate of 100 gallons per hour
- Variable speed control for different oil loading conditions
- Stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance
- Compact design fitting most sump configurations
IV. Results
| Metric | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant Life | 3 months | 9 months |
| Tool Life | Baseline | +40% |
| Disposal Cost | Baseline | -65% |
| Odor Complaints | Weekly | None |
| Operator Satisfaction | Low | High |
