Odourless cutting fluid maximises productivity

"Our customers always remark on how clear the fluid is and that it has no odour whatsoever," reports a subcontract medical parts manufacturer of cutting fluids used.

The medical device manufacturing industry is, quite understandably, subject to exceptionally tight regulation.

All materials and consumables used in production must comply with exacting standards.

So when Mike Harvey was asked to create a bespoke production facility for a brand new company in January 2000 serving the orthopaedic joint replacement industry, he naturally specified products with a proven track record in the industry.

These included Trim C270, the synthetic coolant concentrate from Master Chemical Europe.

Harvey's previous employer, Johnson and Johnson, had standardised on this metalworking fluid, so its credentials were good.

Five years down the line, LPE Medical is now a highly respected manufacturer of orthopaedic medical devices and instrumentation.

Harvey, as Director of Manufacturing and Development, has seen the company grow steadily in stature to the GBP 2m enterprise it is today.

Such is demand for its products that LPE Medical will soon be re-locating its production facility to a new factory that is three times the size of the current Lymington site.

Harvey has two main observations on Trim C270.

"Our customers always remark on how clear the fluid is and that it has no odour whatsoever.

For an industry where image is a high priority, these qualities are very important.

And from an operator's standpoint, the clarity of the fluid obviously allows good visibility of the machining operation; LPE Medical's materials of manufacture are largely cobalt, chrome, titanium and stainless steel.

Trim C270 was introduced by Master Chemical to operate where high coolant velocities and volumes are needed to achieve maximum productivity.

It is formulated to produce little or no foam, mist or odour.

Despite being free from chlorine and sulphur, it has sufficient EP lubricity for drilling, tapping and reaming most common ferrous or non-ferrous materials.

During the pre-production trials of Trim C270, Master Chemical received several field reports on the product's ability to extend tool life, up to 40% in some cases.

This benefit is also cited by LPE Medical but perhaps most impressive of all is the sump life it has achieved.

Harvey concludes, "We have had Trim C270 in one of our machines for two years now".

"We have never changed it, just topped it up as necessary and it is still as good as new.

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