PR 2008-01 of 24.01.2008
The milling machine manufacturer vhf has always been offering a very economical cooling and spraying unit for cooling the tools. Now, however, a new electronically controlled minimum quantity lubrication reduces the required amount of lubricants to a few millilitres per hour. This lowers not only costs and workplace exposure, but improves the quality of the treated workpieces at the same time.
This tool cooling system combines the advantages of dry processing with those of flood lubrication: The necessity of cleaning machines and workpieces is reduced as well as disposal problems. On top of that, the workplace exposure to harmful vapors or skin contact to cooling liquids will be reduced. The tools, however, remain within their optimum temperature range during the machining process.
The primary goal of a minimum quantity lubrication is not to dissipate heat with cooling liquid, but to prevent the generation of heat by lubrication. The lubricant will be atomized so finely by a precise dosing technology that there is no spray visible. Altogether, these droplets, which will be applied by spray nozzles directly to the machining spot between cutting edge and workpiece, have an extraordinary big surface. The resulting very thin lubricating film remains there even under high pressure and reduces the friction energy during the machining process. This reduced stress of the tool leads to clean edges of cut and an increased endurance at high rates of feed.
This system can be used on all CNC machining systems from vhf and is also retrofittable to existing machines. It is recommended for anyone who has to work often on all sorts of metals.
Jörn Vogt M. A.
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Minimum quantity lubrication with two flexible spray nozzles, top left: liquid tank with controls and instruments |
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Detail view of control unit of minimum quantity lubrication with tank for lubricant and instruments |
