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TechTool, a mobile app that offers technicians a way to quickly enter all coolant maintenance related data, features pH readings, refractometer readings and the amount of waste, recycling and inventory shops have in stock, according to Houston-based Fluid Service Technologies (FST), which launched the app in November 2016. Used in combination with a proactive maintenance approach, TechTool is said to optimize overall system performance and improve productivity.
With increased environmental regulatory pressures and the high cost of fluid disposal, manufacturers must continue to improve the process of monitoring, maintaining and reporting on the performance of fluids used in their facilities. Machine shops and other industrial facilities continually take measurements of the fluids in their equipment from machine tool coolants and lubricants to parts washer degreasers. Anyone keeping handwritten records of this data and transferring it to spreadsheets has probably asked the question, “Is there an app for that?” There is now.
With the TechTool app, managers reportedly are able to determine what fluid is being used in a machine, as well as when a machine was last serviced, and identify the service technician. Other features of the app include a customer (manager) log-in, technician log-in, built-in bar code scanner, GPS locator, troubleshooting recommendations and work order generator.
After downloading the app and the setup is completed, the process starts with a technician entering a machine ID number or scanning a barcode. Data can then be entered for everything from pH and concentration to daily fluid usage and machine cleanout history. Maintenance data can be logged into different modules, including machine fluids, machine oils and machine cleaning. Data storage is cloud-based for easy access from any location. An unlimited number of machines can be monitored with reports generated for all reported measurement fields as well as compiled data such as fluid inventory, usage, waste and recycling.
Technicians and maintenance personnel can optimize their machining and maintenance processes by using TechTool to manage data from anywhere in the facility using an iPhone or iPad.
What's more, all the data collected within the app can be exported to a report to be sent to customers, managers and other departments.
TechTool comes with the support of Fluid Service Technologies, which has more than 25 years of experience in machine shop fluid maintenance. FST used this industry experience and knowledge to build the TechTool app as the most complete and convenient tool for fluid maintenance. Additionally, FST technicians use the TechTool app daily and have accumulated thousands of hours of field testing.
Related Glossary Terms
- coolant
coolant
Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.
- inner diameter ( ID)
inner diameter ( ID)
Dimension that defines the inside diameter of a cavity or hole. See OD, outer diameter.
- refractometer
refractometer
Optical instrument that measures the refractive index of a liquid, such as a water-diluted metalworking fluid mix. The refractive index can by used to determine the concentration of a fresh metalworking fluid mix.
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