Dry machining is typically reserved for certain applications, and it may never completely replace the use of cutting fluids, but developments are being made. "A new advancement called the ChilAire machine cooling system offers the performance benefits of a dry coolant and the environmental benefits of dry machining, all with great economics," said a company spokesperson.
Cool Clean Technologies, LLC's ChilAire machine cooling system is designed for dry machining applications. It requires no use of cutting oils or liquid coolants and is environmentally safe. The ChilAire uses a simple process, where compressed gaseous CO2 is refrigerated into the liquid phase. The chilled liquid is transported to the nozzle where liquid CO2 and compressed air are mixed. The CO2 is allowed to expand into crystals that are delivered to the cutting zone. When the spray hits the cutting edge, the ice-crystals melt and flash back to CO2 gas in a process called sublimation - a physical state conversion, capable of absorbing significant amounts of heat. The process is entirely clean leaving minimal waste during machining. The CO2 can be used in different forms. One example is a through-spindle delivery method that can be used for drilling holes. "Beside through-spindle, the CO2 coolant can be delivered directly on the part using a focused external nozzle spray. Depending on the application and the temperature desired for the part, our system can deliver up to four discrete nozzles positioned on the spray area," said the spokesperson.
ChilAire machine cooling system comes in three different sizes:
- ChilAire Fuse - Model 4000 - CO2 Machining Cooling System
- ChilAire Aero - Model 3000 - Through-Spindle Coolant Supply
- ChilAire Lite - Model 1000 - Portable CO2 machining cooling system.
By controlling the temperature of the cut zone, customers are able to use lower cost cutting tools on applications that typically require higher prices CBN, Ceramic, PCD, etc. The ChilAire system keeps the tool and work piece at ambient temperatures, hence preventing thermal shock.
The ChilAire system by Cool Clean Technologies, LLC is designed for machining dry coolant. Machining facilities can perform hard turning and milling of hard materials by utilizing the ChilAire CO2 technology.
Benefits of ChilAire are as follows:
- Clean Operator Work Environment
- No Splashing Coolant
- Cutting Tool Does Not Experience Thermal Shock
- No Secondary Cleaning.
For more information contact:
Cool Clean Technologies, LLC
915 Blue Gentian Rd, Ste. 400
Eagan, MN 55121
651-842-8600
info@coolclean.com
www.coolclean.com