CNC Machine Skimmer Extends Coolant Life
Clears machine shop’s smoky environment
Six months ago, Tom Zovko, owner of Cleveland, OH-based Z & Z Manufacturing, couldn’t see across his 15,000 sq. ft. machine shop. At this point, the smoke generated by his CNC machining operations was polluting the environment and eating into his profits.
Founded in 1980, Z & Z makes a wide variety of fittings for hydraulic pipe, hoses, and welding equipment. Products include British/metric fittings in steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, Monel, plastic, and various other castings.
The Problem
The company’s machines use way-lube oil to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation, and a coolant for easy cutting at high speeds. Engineers had just one problem: with the oil and coolant concentrated in the same area, the end result was a smoke-filled atmosphere unsafe for workers and in violation of EPA regulations.
Beyond Coolant Changes
Zovko tried changing the coolant daily in an attempt to separate the lubricant from the coolant. This didn’t work, and it cost Z & Z thousands of dollars in coolant, downtime and labor charges.
CNC Machine Coolant Skimmer Solution and Results
Zovko implemented an Abanaki Mighty Mini Oil Skimmer at Z & Z. Like other Abanaki skimmers, the Mighty Mini is operated by a motor and pulley system that relies on the
differences in specific gravity and surface tension between oil and water to attract oil and other hydrocarbons. During operation, the belt runs over a tail pulley, which is connected to a stabilizer bar lowered into the wash water. After the belt passes over the drive pulley, it travels through tandem wiper blades that scrape off oil and send it to a discharge channel.
The 1″ belt can remove up to 1 gallon of oil from the surface of the water per hour; the 2″ belt can remove up to 2 gallons per hour.
A trial with the unit soon proved that oil skimming could lengthen the life of Z & Z’s coolant by several weeks, and could rid the shop of heavy smoke. “Abanaki brought in a demo unit, made suggestions on the most efficient way to use the product, and said if we weren’t completely satisfied, we wouldn’t have to pay,” Zovko explains. “One week later I told them to send me the invoice.”
The Mighty Mini weighs only 7 lbs., allowing it to be carried to different locations as needed. The unit, which has a footprint measuring less than 5″ X 7″, is quickly installed through a 2″ diameter bung hole in a drum using an optional bracket.
“It’s hard to say exactly how much oil the Mighty Mini is removing,” Zovko says. “If there’s a little oil in the machine, it’s going to take out a little; if there’s a lot of oil, it’s going to take out a lot. If the Mighty Mini only removes 20 gal per year, it’s paid for itself.”
Zovko adds, “since installing the Abanaki unit, we’ve increased the life of our coolant and the life of our tools, saved on maintenance and EPA costs, and we have been able to breathe a whole lot easier.”
As its machine shop grows, Z&Z Manufacturing plans to add more Abanaki CNC machine coolant skimmers to the lineup.
DOWNLOAD ABANAKI MIGHTY MINI® BELT OIL SKIMMER BROCHURE
Published in Metlfax
