Production Machining

NOV 2013

Production Machining - Your access to the precision machining industrial buyer.

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METALWORKING FLUIDS The Changing Role of Metalworking Fluids Every aspect of the metalworking process is under scrutiny to reduce costs and improve efciencies, including the use of metalworking fuids. A s budgets have tightened and every company is looking to squeeze every last ounce of proft out of each job, the role of machining lubricants is changing. Once thought of as a commodity item that was simply necessary as a "must have" to keep machine tools humming along, today, the formerly lowly lubricant is taking center stage as a key player in shop efciency, extending tool life and driving down cost. Machine manufacturers have built bigger, faster and more productive machinery that are calling for more performance from their metalworking fuids. Tooling and high-pressure equipment are the standard for better fnish, tools and the required reduction in cycle time. When one looks specifcally at the precision machining segment of the market, the desire to reduce part handling to a "done-in-one" philosophy means that choosing the right lubricant before starting the job takes on a greater importance. Matching the correct fuid to the tools, materials and operations is increasingly critical. Is there one metalworking fuid that will work for all machines and applications? Probably one universal fuid is 40 PRODUCTION MACHINING :: NOVEMBER 2013 By Kevin Marquis not available. But there are certainly optimum choices that can and should be made to maximize operations and tool life. Having a metalworking fuid manufacturer or distributor partner who truly takes the time to understand the customer's application needs is the key. Te more the supplier understands the customer's operation, the better his recommendations and the more successful the application will be. Environmental Impact Changing the Game In our increasingly environmentally conscious society, there has been a reduction in the number of acceptable chemicals approved for use in product formulations. Chlorine is not used as often in most products and many chemical products are subject to VOC restrictions, especially in Canada and parts of California. Terefore, metalworking fuid manufacturers are constantly looking for improved environmentally friendly formulas that both meet today's requirements without any loss in efectiveness.

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