Autumn 1998
Occasionally a milling operation
comes along that cannot be done using coolants to dissipate
the heat. Such is an operation at a machine shop in New Miami,
Ohio. They have a job using 4140 steel with a 35 Rc rating.
The inserts are so hard that coolants are not recommended because
they can cause cracking. The operation is set up at a speed
of 1350 rpm with a 5 inch per minute feed rate. The 2 inch cutter
has three inserts.
The customer requires the end
product to be mirror finished. Any discoloration from the heat
results in a scrap product. For this reason, the inserts must
be replaced after every eight pieces. At $8.00 per insert plus
the operators time to replace the spent units, another method
of machining had to be found.
Qualiturn contacted ARTX Ltd.,
The Air research Technology Company. They recommended the Stainless
Steel Model 60040 that converts normal shop air into a sub-zero
air stream and provides instant spot cooling. ARTX manufactures
the only Stainless Steel cooler on the market which is very
practical over aluminum units in hot areas with high speed chips
involved.
Using the Model 60040, Qualiturn,
was able to increase production by 400% before changing the
inserts. According to Mike Barber, owner of Qualiturn Machining
Center, "the ARTX Model 60040 at $275.00 was paid for during
the first hour's run of products".
Compact, reliable, and maintenance
free, the Stainless Steel Model 60040 provides a simple, clean,
and coolant free solution to many machining operations. Just
plug into a standard compressed air line (80-90 psi), aim the
flexible 12" nozzle, and let it go to work. The magnetic base
holds the Model 60040 in place on the machine. The same sub-zero
air is available regardless of the position of the Model 60040.
In addition to dry machining,
the Stainless Steel Model 60040 can improve drilling, grinding,
or tapping operations. Also cooling motors, parts, processors,
and mold are easily achieved to increase production. You can
even use the cold air to shrink shafts and the hot air for expanding
a bearing's trace for easy fits in pressing bearings onto shafts.
