Product category:
Cutting lubricants, coolants, systems and treatment
News Release from: Filtration Service Engineering | Subject: SpiderCool automated coolant control system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 March 2003
Auto-coolant unit optimises cutting
performance
An easy to use, automated, retrofitable coolant control system can optimise cutting performance and reduce tooling costs on vertical and horizontal machining centres.
In today's highly competitive world, manufacturers and subcontractors have to get the very best out of their expensive CNC machine tools in terms of productivity, utilisation, uptime and all-round efficiency One new attachment which can optimise cutting performance and reduce tooling costs on vertical and horizontal machining centres is SpiderCool - an easy to use, automated coolant control system
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 13 May 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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For this unit memorises the best coolant nozzle position for each tool and automatically makes the necessary adjustment as individual tools are loaded from the ATC.
Available in the UK from Filtration Service Engineering (FSE) in Kidderminster, SpiderCool can be supplied with new machining centres or retrofitted to existing models.
As well as raising productivity and improving tool life (by ensuring that coolant is always precisely aimed at the best position for each specific tool), the system also improves safety as operators never have to reach into the machine to adjust coolant flow.
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However, unlike other 'programmable' systems, SpiderCool is quick and easy to set-up as the operator simply 'teaches' the unit by turning an adjustment knob to accurately direct the coolant stream to the best position for each tool in the magazine.
From that point on, coolant adjustment is automatic and there are no machine codes to write into your program.
The system consists of a nozzle assembly, control unit, remote adjustment knob, cabling and mounting hardware.
The nozzle unit is fastened to the machine's head and is orientated so the coolant stream is aligned to the centreline of the spindle.
SpiderCool uses a closed-loop servo to automate the coolant stream and the machine's existing coolant pump (which is plumbed into the unit), so that coolant 'on' and 'off' commands are used as per normal.
The unit works equally well with flood coolant, compressed air and traditional cutting oils.
Tools are recognised by an intelligent interface which enables the system to work with all types of ATC.
One option available with the system is the AutoDrill feature which provides the perfect solution for deep hole drilling tasks or when side milling with long end mills.
For this allows the operator to set 'upper' and 'lower' coolant positions for any individual tool so that the coolant stream will sweep between the two positions.
This provides excellent coolant coverage over the full cutting length of the tool rather than just being directed at a single point.
In addition to ensuring optimum cooling and cutting conditions, SpiderCool will also reduce downtime as the need to adjust coolant lines during production (which requires the machine to be stopped because of safety guard interlocks) is a thing of the past.
If, for any reason, coolant delivery has to be adjusted, the operator can readily adjust the nozzle position 'on the fly' from outside the enclosure by just simply turning the knob - a process which takes just a couple of seconds.
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