How FSR Inc. Reduced Coolant Costs and Maintenance for Over 30 Years
Reliable Oil Removal for Cleaner Coolant, Lower Costs, and Better Wastewater Performance
Machine shops, fabrication facilities, and industrial repair operations rely on clean coolant and effective wastewater recycling to maintain product quality and control operating costs. When oil contaminates coolant systems, it can reduce performance, increase disposal costs, and create unnecessary maintenance burdens.
To solve this challenge, FSR Inc. installed the Abanaki Corporation Model 8 Oil Grabber belt oil skimmer to remove oil contamination from coolant and wastewater systems.
The result was cleaner operating fluids, reduced maintenance effort, improved cost control, and more reliable wastewater recycling performance.
Download Abanaki Model 8 Brochure.
The Challenge: Oil Contamination in Coolant and Wastewater Systems
In machining, fabrication, and industrial repair environments, coolant systems are frequently exposed to tramp oils and grease from:
- Metalworking operations
- Manufacturing processes
- Food processing wastewater (in some applications)
- Hydraulic system leaks
- Equipment maintenance residues
At FSR Inc. and its customers’ facilities, oil contamination created several operational issues:
- Reduced coolant effectiveness
- Increased coolant disposal frequency
- Higher maintenance and cleanup costs
- Wastewater recycling inefficiencies
- Potential environmental compliance concerns
- Lower overall process quality
One customer, a poultry processing operation, also faced challenges managing oil and grease in wastewater streams that affected both cost and compliance.
The facility needed a solution that could efficiently remove floating oil while reducing maintenance effort and operating costs.
The Solution: Installing the Abanaki Model 8 Oil Skimmer
To address coolant and wastewater contamination challenges, FSR Inc. installed the Abanaki Corporation Model 8 Oil Grabber belt oil skimmer for its ability to:
- Continuously remove floating oil and grease
- Improve coolant and wastewater quality
- Reduce maintenance requirements
- Deliver reliable long-term performance
- Operate in demanding industrial conditions
- Minimize installation complexity
Installed on coolant tanks and wastewater recycling systems, the Model 8 helped achieve:
Lower Coolant and Wastewater Disposal Costs
- By removing oil from coolant systems, the facility extended coolant life, reduced disposal costs, and lowered chemical and fluid replacement expenses.
Improved Fluid Quality and Process Performance
- Cleaner coolant improved machining and fabrication performance by enhancing tool life, reducing surface contamination, improving process stability, and supporting consistent production quality.
Reduced Maintenance and Cleanup Requirements
- With the Model 8 in place, manual oil removal and tank cleaning were reduced, maintenance labor decreased, and coolant systems operated more efficiently with less oversight.
Reliable Continuous Operation
- The Model 8 provided reliable long-term operation with minimal maintenance thanks to its simple, durable design, including a free-rolling tail pulley system and corrosion-resistant stainless-steel belt.
Space-Efficient and Easy to Install
- The skimmer’s compact design made it suitable for installation in tight industrial spaces without requiring major system modifications.
The system has remained in service for many years with minimal maintenance beyond occasional belt replacement.
Why Machine Shops and Industrial Repair Facilities Use Belt Oil Skimmers
Belt oil skimmers are commonly used in machine shops, CNC facilities, fabrication shops, wastewater recycling systems, and manufacturing operations to extend coolant life, reduce disposal costs, improve machining performance, lower maintenance labor, improve fluid quality, and increase overall operational efficiency.
Looking for a Reliable Coolant Oil Removal Solution?
Oil contamination in coolant and wastewater systems can increase costs, reduce efficiency, and impact production quality.
The Model 8 Oil Grabber from Abanaki Corporation provides continuous oil removal, improved fluid quality, reduced maintenance demands, and long-term cost savings for industrial machining and wastewater applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main benefit of an oil skimmer in coolant systems?
It removes tramp oil from coolant, helping extend fluid life and improve machining performance.
Can oil skimmers reduce coolant costs?
Yes. By extending coolant life, they reduce replacement and disposal expenses.
Are belt oil skimmers low maintenance?
Yes. They are designed for continuous operation with minimal maintenance requirements.
Do oil skimmers improve machining performance?
Yes. Cleaner coolant improves tool life, reduces contamination, and supports better surface finish quality.
Can they be used in wastewater systems too?
Yes. Belt oil skimmers are commonly used in both coolant and wastewater applications.
