Sustainability & Environment

Articles • June 1, 2014 • Kip Hanson

Keeping machines and operators cool and clean

Shops today are more aware of environmental conditions. Mist collectors and electrostatic air cleansers are not uncommon and many manufacturers realize there's little chance of attracting high-caliber work from customers when the shop is a pigsty.

News • May 6, 2014

Machine takes a bite out of strapping

Steel strapping is effective for bundling materials, but poses a number of problems for a machine shop. Its sharp edges make it something of a workplace hazard, while its long, ungainly shape makes storage and disposal difficult. It's also made of mid-carbon steel, so even though throwing the strapping in the dumpster is the easiest way to handle it, possible profits from recycling are dumped as well.

News • April 8, 2014

Seco Tools reports on carbide recycling

Cutting tool manufacturer Seco Tools, Troy, Mich., released the results of its North American Carbide Recycling Program for 2013. The company collected and processed 125,919 lbs (57,235 kg) of used carbide tools. Of the total, 110,585 lbs (50,265 kg) were returned to Seco Tools AB for processing into grade powder. Over the life of the carbide recycling program, Seco Tools has returned an average of over 10,100 lbs (4,100 kg) of tools per month for recycling.

Articles • April 1, 2014 • Alan Richter

Power parts: Heat-resistant superalloys

Effectively directing high-pressure coolant to the cutting zone enhances machinability and extends tool life when cutting heat-resistant superalloys, such as when making parts for the energy industry.

News • February 21, 2014

Eriez releases Metal Loss Monitor

The new Metal Loss Monitor (MLM) from Erie, Pa.-based separation technology provider Eriez enables operators to determine the quantities of valuable metals that are passing through their scrap yards unrecovered. It accomplishes this by continually scanning the residue stream for metal that has escaped the process, according to the company.

Videos • October 3, 2012

Green Metalworking Technologies, Part 2

Ron Sattler of Chemetall Inc. presents a Fast Track Seminar at the Cutting Tool Engineering booth during IMTS 2010. His presentation, titled "The Application of Sustainability in Metalworking Processes," is divided into two parts. Presented here is part two.

Videos • October 3, 2012

Green Metalworking Technologies, Part 1

Ron Sattler of Chemetall Inc. presents a Fast Track Seminar at the Cutting Tool Engineering booth during IMTS 2010. His presentation, titled "The Application of Sustainability in Metalworking Processes," is divided into two parts. Presented here is part one.

Articles • May 1, 2012 • Alan Richter

Friendly formulations

Applying 'green' coolant to maintain machining performance while being friendly to workers and the environment.

Articles • January 1, 2012 • Alan Richter

Waste not, spend not

Recycling coolant pays big dividends for job shops.

Articles • March 1, 2011

Tips for supplying shop air

The Shop Operations column from the March 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering covers the steps necessary to effectively supply compressed air in a metalworking shop.

Articles • October 1, 2010

Recycling on the Rise

It's never been easier to recycle cutting tools, which produces both cost savings and environmental benefits.

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Alan Richter

Reducing a machine tool’s energy consumption helps achieve ‘green’ machining

Manufacturing is an energy-intensive activity. The U.S. government estimates that manufacturing consumes about one-third of the energy used in the country, stated Scott Hibbard, vice president of technology for Bosch Rexroth Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill., in his paper "Six keys to sustainable manufacturing."