High pressure coolant systems

[chris m]

Good morning folks

 

We're looking at buying a couple of new lathes this year and I am thinking about high-pressure coolant this time around to assist with some of our chip breaking and chip evacuation problems, but I really have no experience with this. Chip Blaster is a name everybody knows, but is their stuff any good? Is it priced right? What are the things I should know / ask about high-pressure coolant systems?

 

Thanks in advance

 

C

 

[ 06-18-2010, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: chris m ]

[Mic6]

What kind of lathes?

[chris m]

Okuma LB3000EX

 

The machines can be purchased with 1000psi thru-turret coolant prep and Sandvik says that their Capto clamping units and cutting heads are rated for 1000psi as well, so I think we're OK there, just don't know jack about the coolant system side of the equation.

 

C

[Goldorak]

we got a 250PSI thru coolant unit on one of our Okuma mill. and it's more than enough for chip evacuation

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

1,000 PSI minimum. If you go more though, they may need to upgrade the plumbing. I like CoolJet myself. They are local for me and VERY reliable.

[jeff]

I've always wondered what the advantage of high pressure coolant has.

Is it just mainly for chip evac in deep pockets?

[chris m]

Go to Chip Blaster's website they'll tell you all about it

 

I am looking at it because we have a day-in day-out turning operation in 4340 that presents major chip control problems because of light cuts, low feed, etc. Seems to me that high pressure coolant would help with chip evacuation from the cup-shaped internal features and, at least, blast the chips off of the outside of the parts so we don't need to stop the machine mid-cycle for a chip check.

 

James, I saw the Cool Jet website during my search and have requested some info from them.

 

C

[Tim Johnson]

We have 1000 psi Chip Blaster on all of our horizontals with only minor wear issues. Our maintenance guy's gone but I think they're on the 2000 hour schedule. We use the 1 micron bags now but I didn't notice any drop off from the 5 micron ones. The oldest one will be 8 years in September.

[generaldisarray]

Dont cheap out on the filter end. If its not easy to change people wont do it.

 

If I had my druthers I would get a unit that had two filters that you can switch between.

[taperlength]

Smaller tools with smaller coolant passages require higher pressure.

Here's a calculator for determining pressure loss.

http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids/calc_pipe_friction.cfm

[Dave.L]

quote:

---

we got a 250PSI thru coolant unit on one of our Okuma mill. and it's more than enough for chip evacuation

---

We have 250 on all of our machines and for the lathes it's not enough. We have the same chips issues in deep bores etc.

 

Be sure you looking into the coolant foaming issues because that will be the next problem.

 

Let us know how you make out please.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

---

I've always wondered what the advantage of high pressure coolant has.

Is it just mainly for chip evac in deep pockets?

---

Can you drill a 1/4" hole 16x diameter NO PECK with just flood? That's going to be a NO

 

It's more than chip evac. It's drilling with no need for peck or spotting NO MATTER the depth. You may need a counterbore when going beyond 16x but that's no biggie. I've drilled 55x Dia. with High Pressure. It would be nearly impossible any other way. Well short of a secondary operation which is just a horrible thought.

 

To me CTS is NOT an option, it's MANDATORY!

[Greg Williams]

Chris,

 

Why not just get the Okuma 7MPA option we have a few here if you have any questions

[chris m]

Greg, they didn't offer me any such thing or I would consider it; I'll assume Morris didn't suggest it because it is not cost competitive with the ChipBlaster / Cool Jet systems. What was the cost for you on this option?

[jeff]

quote:

---

Can you drill a 1/4" hole 16x diameter NO PECK with just flood? That's going to be a NO [big Grin] [Razz]

---

LOL well I guess that answers my quesiton.

Whenever we get jobs like that, we just send it to deep hole drill.

[chris m]

ttt