Using a CNC coolant system is an
excellent method to improve cut quality and to extend the life of
your tooling. In some applications it is not just a good idea, it is
an absolute necessity. In many cutting applications, particularly
plastics, the remelting of the cut particles is often the source of
cut quality problems. Removing these cut particles with an air
source sometimes solves the problem. In other cases, both cooling
and air supply are required to remove cut particles. Considering how
expensive CNC tooling can be for some applications, extending the
life of your bits also puts money back in your pocket.
Three standard CNC Router coolant
systems that you are likely to consider are: Micro-Drop Coolant
Systems, Mist Coolant Systems and Cold Air Guns. All three systems
cool the tool, not the workpiece. The Micro-Drop and Mist systems
are used primarily on metal cutting applications, whereas plastics,
woods and some metals can be cut with the Cold Air Gun.
The highest initial purchase price of
the three is the micro-drop system. The main benefit of a micro-drop
system is that it is a much cleaner system than misting. The unit’s
micro-dispenser applies very small amounts of coolant to the tool.
This is beneficial in that it does not waste product, it is a
cleaner cooling method, but also, because of these aspects it can be
used with a vacuum table (a Techno setup). Coolant, in general, can
damage the material typically used on vacuum tables.
Misting coolants are less expensive than
micro-drops and are equally successful in cooling the tool. They
have a large reservoir capacity to maintain the constant flow of
coolant. As opposed to the micro-drops intermittent application of
coolant, the mister applies a steady stream. The nature of this
system does not lend itself to clean operations, and therefore are
not recommended in conjunction with a vacuum table.
The Vortex cold air gun can work with or
without a vacuum system setup and is ideal for plastics and woods.
Its steady stream of cold air prevents melting and chips igniting.
The vortex tube's cylindrical generator causes compressed air to
rotate, reaching speeds of up to 1,000,000 rpm, as it is forced down
a longer inner wall of the tube, to produce the super-cooled air
that exits through an air exhaust port. The main drawback of using a
cold air gun is that a fairly large compressor is required. This
need for a substantial compressor does add to the overall cost of
the unit.
Geometrics
200 Martin Lane Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
