Cooling of cutting process boosts throughput

July 2005 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

A military tank manufacturer was grinding the OD of a 32 mm low carbon steel, cold roller bar. The length of cut was 127 mm, with a cutting depth of 30 mm per pass (rough grind) using a 100-grit wheel. The need to machine the part dry caused three problems - part burning due to heat build up; frequent wheel dressing every 1,3 mm of cut, and excessive wheel loading.

A significant process improvement was achieved when an EXAIR model 5215 Cold Air Gun system was installed on the grinder. Depth of cut was increased to 0,20 mm, with no burning. The reduced surface temperature eliminated the excessive wheel load problem - and dry residue was blown clear by the cold air jet. No wheel dressing was required during the entire operation.

Tool room operations such as this one can benefit greatly from cold air cooling. Successful applications include tool and cutter grinding, carbide grinding and rechamfering. In this case the Cold Air Gun's low cost justified purchase of 10 units - one for each machinist's cubicle.

For more information contact Rodney, ETEST, 031 702 8302, [email protected]

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