Ultrafine Filtration of Grinding Oils and Cooling Lubricants

June 14, 2017
Ultrafine Filtration of Grinding Oils and Cooling Lubricants

The ultrafine filtration of grinding oils and cooling lubricants is a specialized "discipline" in the overall process of the tool manufacturing. With their efficient and reliable technology, the German filtration specialist VOMAT says it has earned an excellent reputation in the metalworking industry. In addition to the low-maintenance and innovative filter technology, the worldwide after-sales service is an important argument for the filtration systems from Germany.

VOMAT systems are suitable for the removal of fine particles from oils, used in processes, such as grinding, honing, lapping and EDM. VOMAT’s full flow filtration technology separates dirty and clean oil 100 percent and provides optimally cleaned cooling lubricants to NAS 7 (3-5 μm) standards. VOMAT special filters are so powerful that the cleaned coolant can remain significantly longer in the system than in conventional filter systems, which often operate with short-lived paper filters or other costly filtration media.

In the course of globalization many VOMAT customers are producing worldwide, also in the U.S. Michael Kramer, engineering manager at VOMAT, stated, "VOMAT is present in the U.S.A., many European countries and also in the Middle East. We provide our customers with comprehensive after-sales services.”

This includes, among other things, the commissioning of machines including the integration into the customer’s production flow and training of the operating personnel. VOMAT also offers various maintenance packages as well as a worldwide remote and internet based fault management system.

An important advantage is the low-maintenance concept of VOMAT’s filtration technology. Kramer said, "The VOMAT FA series systems are designed in such a fashion that in-house maintenance technicians can easily maintain the machines at specified intervals. In addition, the systems are extremely reliable and incur hardly ever any problems. Should there be a malfunction, than VOMAT’s technicians will be there to help.”

This is, however, a rare occurrence, since machine breakdowns can often be remedied via the integrated internet diagnostics system. This allows in-house personnel to immediately diagnose and fix malfunctions, while being guided by German VOMAT technicians in real time. Kramer said, "This avoids cost and spares the nerves. For example, this technology provides a tool manufacturer in the USA, with predictable production security."

Related Glossary Terms

  • coolant

    coolant

    Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.

  • electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)

    electrical-discharge machining ( EDM)

    Process that vaporizes conductive materials by controlled application of pulsed electrical current that flows between a workpiece and electrode (tool) in a dielectric fluid. Permits machining shapes to tight accuracies without the internal stresses conventional machining often generates. Useful in diemaking.

  • grinding

    grinding

    Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.

  • lapping

    lapping

    Finishing operation in which a loose, fine-grain abrasive in a liquid medium abrades material. Extremely accurate process that corrects minor shape imperfections, refines surface finishes and produces a close fit between mating surfaces.

  • metalworking

    metalworking

    Any manufacturing process in which metal is processed or machined such that the workpiece is given a new shape. Broadly defined, the term includes processes such as design and layout, heat-treating, material handling and inspection.