Even with the best machinery and operators, coolant troubles are still prevalent among machine shops – sometimes getting the perfect fluid takes some extra help. Coolant management may be the extra help you need. An essential and big part of this process is selecting the best coolant for your machinery, and then installing proper handling procedures and guides.
For coolant to perform at its best, it needs to be monitored and maintained. However, even with premium products, problems can occur due to a lack of coolant management, contamination, and water quality issues. In turn, these coolant problems shorten tool life, lead to rancid odors, and can lower employee and operator morale.
Although coolant problems can affect every aspect of metalworking, there are several ways to prevent issues and remedy problems. Here are five common difficulties that machine shops face with their coolants and how to fix them.
Causes:
- Concentration too high / low
- Machine cleaner in sump
- Mechanical – lines on suction side leaking cracks in hose, loose fittings, impeller cavitation
- Soft Water
- Pump pressure too high
- High tramp oil content
- Fluid level too high / too low
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specification
- Check pH – drain re-charge if necessary
- Repair or replace hose, check pump for hair-line cracks and fix or replace if necessary
- Sample water, treat if necessary
- Regulate as needed
- Skim off oil. Check for leaking lines
- Adjust fluid levels
Causes:
- Low Concentration
- Low pH
- High tramp oil content
- Contamination
- Pump pressure too high
- Bacteria, fungus
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specifications
- Check pH, contact AFT™
- Skim off tramp oil
- Find contamination source
- Drain sump. Purge solids, sludge or swarf. Put back old coolant and adjust concentration. Recharge with fresh coolant if necessary.
- Treat with bacericide, fungicide. Drain, clean and recharge. Contact AFT™
Causes:
- Concentration too low
- Wrong product being used
- High tramp oil content
- High solids content
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specification
- Contact Advanced Fluid Technologies®
- Skim off tramp oil
- Filter coolant
Causes:
- High concentration
- High tramp oil content
- Incorrect mixing
- Hard Water
- Heavy misting
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specifications
- Skim off tramp oil
- Add concentrate to water. Never add straight concentrate to sump. Mix thoroughly.
- Treat water. Install R.O. or D.I. System.
- Check ventilation system. Adjust coolant nozzles. Increase coolant flow.
Causes:
- Concentration too low
- Poor mixing (soluble oils)
- High concentration of dissolved solids in solution
- Galvanic reaction from dissimilar metals
- Evaporative cooler
- Fluid contamination
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specification
- Add concentrate to water. Never add straight concentrate to sump.
- Add concentrate to water. Never add straight concentrate to sump.
- Clean chips from sump. Drain and recharge sump if necessary. Drain and recharge sump if necessary. Keep coolant filtered.
- Divert air flow away from machine
- Check contamination sources
Causes:
- High concentration
- High pH
- High tramp oil content
- Dirty shop clothes
- Contamination
- Allergies
Solutions:
- Adjust concentration to specification
- Check pH, Contact Advanced Fluid Technologies®
- Skim off tramp oil
- Use clean, chip-free shop clothes
- Find contamination source and correct
- See doctor