Fine filtering drives lights-out operations

END USER: Garr Tool Co., (989) 463-6171, www.garrtool.com.
CHALLENGE: Consistently produce complex cutting tools, even when unattended machining.
SOLUTION: A cellular grinding oil filtration system.
SOLUTION PROVIDER: Transor Filter USA, (800) 354-3040, www.transorfilter.com.

More than 70 years ago, Garr Tool Co. discovered that the formula for manufacturing high-quality carbide cutting tools to exacting customer specifications requires a combination of advanced grinding machine technology and well-trained machinists. In that time, the company has expanded from a modest storefront facility to a 180,000-sq.-ft.-plus manufacturing plant in Alma, Mich.

Garr Tool is organized into three departments, each consisting of a specific OEM machine technology: Rollomatic, Walter and ANCA. “We tend to run certain groups of tools in each of the departments so we can specialize more,” said Garr Tool Production Supervisor Scott Conner. “The Walter department usually runs tools from 0.5 ” to 1.25 ” in diameter. The Rollomatic department does smaller tools, from about 0.0020 ” to 0.5 ” in diameter, and our ANCA grinders handle a lot of resharpening and small-lot tools.”

The majority of Garr’s tool and cutter grinders incorporate varying forms of automation for handling workpieces and changing wheels. This enables the toolmaker to run lights-out production between the two regularly scheduled shifts, a contributor to Garr’s growth over the last decade.

Conner pointed out that a major development in Garr’s overall manufacturing operation was the introduction of OMF units from Transor Filter USA, Elk Grove Village, Ill. The OMF system removes fines as small as 1µm from grinding oil.

Garr had been utilizing several different methods of filtration, including settling tanks, centrifuge systems and cartridge-style filters. After seeing the OMF system at a trade show and then discussing its performance with some users, Garr was convinced that the system would enhance its equipment’s performance.

Courtesy of Garr Tool

Each of Garr Tool’s Transor Cellular Centralized systems, such as the ones in the foreground, filters the grinding oil from two or three tool and cutter grinders.