Ultra-fine filtration on display at IMTS

State-of-the-art grinding, measuring, and coating technology to grind precision tools with high accuracy requires that tool manufacturers are technically up to date and optimally coordinate all parameters involved. Ultrafine filtration of the cooling lubricants within the overall machining system plays a key role. 

This is because clean coolants influence the quality of the ground tools and finely filtered grinding oils that remain in the system for a long time contribute to considerable cost savings in production. Filter manufacturer Vomat from Treuen, Germany, will be showing a cross-section of high-performance filtration technology at IMTS North building, level 3, booth 237475.

If contaminated grinding oils were not finely filtered of metal abrasion, dirt, and decomposition products, they would have to be replaced at short intervals. This becomes more important as development progresses: Because whether conventional, synthetic, or water-miscible – the area of cooling lubricants is now a sensitive, highly technical topic in modern metalworking. Thus, the choice of the right coolant depends on the respective process factors.

Because of special combinations of active ingredients, tool manufacturers can use coolants that are precisely tailored to their machining applications.

Steven Lowery, executive VP from Oelheld U.S. Inc., the official reseller of Vomat Filtration Systems in North America, said "In today's tool manufacturing, efficient coolant filtration represents more than just filtering a necessary auxiliary material. And, anyone who uses innovative oelheld grinding oils in their grinding workflow can make no compromises, especially when it comes to ultra-fine filtration. The decision for the right filter system when grinding hard metals (HM) and high-speed steels (HSS) or as a blending option is therefore an important prerequisite for the quality and efficiency of the entire value chain. After all, contemporary ultrafine filtration technology exploits the possibilities of advanced oelheld MWFs."

Lowery said the filter’s design features allow them to filter the latest MWF generations reliably and cost-efficiently. The high-performance precoat filters, full-flow filtration ensures 100 percent separation of dirty and clean oil. In this way, the system permanently supplies clean oil in NAS 7 quality (3-5 μm) to the grinding system. Another advantage, the company said, is the energy efficiency of the Vomat technology: Vomat systems filter and flush according to demand. This means that the backwash cycles are controlled depending on the degree of contamination of the filter elements.

"The on-demand filtration of the oil in combination with the coordinated filter cleaning brings many advantages to the tool manufacturer. It also means that less power or energy is consumed,” said Lowery. “Likewise, the service life of the individual filter elements is increased, and the cooling lubricant can remain in the system longer. In addition, Vomat systems are designed to add as little heat as possible to the media, which in turn requires less cooling power."

Since every tool grinder has its own workflows and processes, Vomat offers a wide range of options on the standard platform of the FA machine series, for example, to optimally integrate filtration technology into the respective individual circumstances.

The spectrum ranges from small stand-alone systems to large-scale industrial central systems. "The exacting requirements of the metal processing industry in North America regarding quality and cost-effectiveness can be met only through high-performance machine technology and precision tools. This also means customized troubleshooting, flexible services, and speedy deliveries. To achieve this, we need to be close to our customers. We meet 120 these high standards. With Vomat ultrafine filtration technology, they have a wide range of high-performance filters at their disposal, which promise productivity, optimize the quality, and ultimately increase the profit.”