What You Need to Know About Industrial CNC and Other Milling Machine Coolants
If you are setting up an industrial machine shop, then one of the decisions you will need to make is what type of milling machine coolants you want to use in your CNC and other milling machines. Thankfully, there is a wide variety of cutting fluids available on the market today you can choose from.
The Three Classifications of Industrial Cutting Fluids
There are three main classifications of industrial cutting fluids:
- Synthetic
- Semi-synthetic
- Mineral oils
Typically, while water can be used for cutting tile and other industrial materials, it isn't ideal for cutting metals because it isn't a good lubricator, boils away when it gets too hot, and causes machine parts to rust.
Mineral oils are valued as cutting oils because they can be easily disposed of and don't pose a health danger to your employees or the environment. However, since mineral oils are not always ideal to reach the necessary lubrication and heat resistance needed for industrial machinery in constant use, synthetic oils were created. To take advantage of the best parts of mineral and synthetic oils, new semi-synthetic oils are continually being produced.
Synthetic cutting oils are made from a variety of different things, such as animal fats, plant oils, and petroleum distillates. These things are generally suspended in either water or mineral oils.
The Importance of Industrial Cutting Lubricants
Industrial cutting lubricants are vitally important for reducing the heat produced during the metal cutting process. This allows for faster cutting without damage to the cutting tip or the metal being cut. Since the metal isn't damaged or overheated during the cutting process, it creates parts with tighter tolerances and smoother edges.
To further reduce the wear on your cutting machinery, it's also a good idea to add extreme pressure additives into all cutting lubricants.
How Cutting Fluids Are Applied in Industrial Machinery
The right cutting fluid and its application depend entirely on the machinery you are using and the metal you are cutting. Cutting fluids are sold as oils, gels, mists, and even pastes. Typically, CNC and other milling machinery use an oil or water-oil mix, while hobby cutters use pastes and gels.
Finally, to apply the cutting fluid to the metal being cut, it can be brushed, dripped, flooded, misted, or sprayed. The first two options are typically used in hobby cutting or smaller cutting machines, while larger industrial machinery uses flooding, spraying, or misting as their application method of choice.
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