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Coolant Mist Removal
Remmele Engineering performs micro-machining
operations for high technology applications. But the successful
manufacture of sub-millimeter, ultra-precision components requires virtually
vibration-free equipment to maintain consistent quality to extremely tight
tolerances.
During component manufacture, Remmele uses both
mineral oil and synthetic water-based coolants, both of which create mists
and smoke. In addition, the new approach of applying coolant in small
diameter, high-pressure streams creates even finer mists and more smoke.
Remmele had tried using centrifugal mist collectors but was dissatisfied
with the vibration, noise, and inefficiency of the units. These
mist
collectors became unbalanced with accumulated mist on their impellers and
created vibrations that transferred to the CNC machine tools.
Remmele contacted Air Quality Engineering,
Brooklyn Park, Minn., and purchased a Smokemaster Model F33 electronic air
cleaner. This unit, which was remotely mounted and ducted to three
machine tools captured fine mist and smoke well. However, Remmele
found the ductwork between the unit and machine tools to be unsightly in its
spotless 60,000 square foot machining facility.
Air Quality Engineering designed a
machine-tool-mounted electronic unit, the MistBuster 500, specifically for
Remmele.
The MistBuster 500 prototype unit incorporated 4
inches of metal mesh impingers and a small electrostatic cell. It was
tested at Remmele's facility for two months where it completely eliminated
fine mist and smoke without affecting micromachining operations.
The unit's variable speed controller lets
Remmele technicians adjust the negative pressure within the machine
tool enclosure, which saves energy, reduces maintenance, and lowers sound
levels. Additionally, the MistBuster operates on less than 230 watts
of power and has no media filters to replace.
Remmele now has 16 MistBuster 500 units at its
Plant 30. Most of these air cleaners run 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week. Because these units are virtually self cleaning, Remmele
anticipates that it will only need to service the MistBusters on an annual
basis.
- American Machinist
February 2000
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-MISTBUSTER 500 
