Views: 0 Author: Leapion Publish Time: 2022-07-01 Origin: https://www.leapioncnc.com/
Leapion will introduce the following tips can help you regulate both the CNC machine and tool's temperature based on manufacturer recommendations:
Maintaining a cool temperature can help tremendously in keeping CNC temperatures down. Centralized HVAC systems, though they can be expensive, are effective at reducing humidity and removing warm air from a facility. Depending on the climate at your factory's location, you might decide on an evaporative cooler, one powerful centralized AC unit, or a distributed AC system consisting of a series of smaller units to cool different zones in the facility to different levels.
If centralized HVAC or evaporative cooling systems are too costly, consider using a series of industrial fans fixed to the ceiling and other high points like columns or banisters throughout the facility. Then, couple these systems with blowers that force air outside of the facility. The fans at the high points of the building will produce air movement that prevents pockets of hot air from developing while the blowers completely remove the hot air from the building.
Following a methodical, routine maintenance schedule for your CNC machines can help prevent temperature excursions from becoming an issue. Checking for leaks in air and oil lines, verifying spindle alignment, and refilling oil and coolant levels, for example, are some of the ways you can care for your machines and prevent them from overheating. Especially during the hotter months, check, clean, and/or replace the fans and air filters on computers and machines throughout the facility. Airflow is essential to cool computer systems and equipment. Keeping fans on your machines and equipment cleaned and maintained also helps tremendously in limiting the effects of high CNC temperatures.
Coolant use plays an important part in both chip evacuation and cooling. There are 4 main types of mediums that can be used during machining to cool both the tool and the workpiece:
Air (via jet or stream)
Misting
Flooding
High-pressure spray
Each of these cooling methods has its own advantages. Air effectively cools and removes chips, but is not as good at providing lubrication. This type of cooling is most suitable for parts that are sensitive to direct cooling - particularly plastic parts. Mist and flood cooling are both low-pressure forms of cooling. Mist is a great option when chip evacuation and heat are not big concerns - as in, the heat generated in the tool and workpiece are not detrimental to the final product but you would still like to provide cooling to prolong tool life. Flood cooling, on the other hand, is a low-pressure cooling form to use when chip evacuation and heat are a concern.
High-pressure air or liquid is perhaps the most common method for cooling CNC machines. It is extremely effective at both removing chips and cooling the tool and workpiece but has the potential to break small-diameter tools if it comes in direct contact. High-pressure spray cooling is often used in deep-drilling or long-running cutting processes. It’s important to pick the type of cooling that is best for your operation.
Metal chips removed from a workpiece can be exceptionally hot due to the forces experienced during machining. If enough of these chips accumulate in one place, it can become a thermal reservoir that can transfer heat into the rest of the machine and tooling. Additionally, an abundance of chips can stick to cutters and workpieces, causing quality issues and lost production time to clear chips and or jammed tooling. Therefore, it is important to ensure effective chip removal methods are in place. Using a form of air or liquid high-pressure cooling, coupled with a conveyor that automatically removes chips, is a great way to maintain control of temperatures in CNC machines.
People can cool themselves off with a glass of ice water or by taking refuge in the shade. Just as people take care of themselves in the heat, it’s important to also take care of CNC machines in the heat. Keep your CNC machines cool with the tips presented in this article. Contact Leapion representative today to discuss how we can assist in ensuring that your CNC machines stay within their optimal temperature range for efficient operation.
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