Choosing the right ultra-fine filtration system plays a key role in success in the metalworking industry. High-quality cooling lubricants and their efficient filtration are crucial for first-class product quality, cost-effectiveness and a smooth production process. The filter manufacturer Vomat from Treuen/Germany offers high-performance filter technologies for this purpose. Thanks to the flexible FA machine concepts, customized solutions can be implemented, e.g. with optional modules such as special cooling systems for temperature-optimized coolant filtration.
Ultra-fine lubricoolant filtration during tool grinding offers users clear advantages: The cleaner the grinding oil and the less frequently it needs to be replaced, the more lubricoolant costs are reduced. At the same time, tool costs and machine downtimes are reduced. Surface quality also improves, while the environment and resources are protected thanks to a positive energy balance and lower waste volumes. Steffen Strobel, sales manager at Vomat, explains: “The choice of suitable filtration and cooling has a direct impact on production costs. Our systems are therefore designed to help manufacturers make the most of these cost benefits.”
Vomat filters separate 100 percent of dirty and clean oil in a full-flow process. Clean oil in quality class NAS 7-8 (3-5 µm) is permanently available for the production process during the backflushing of the filter elements as required. This means that cooling lubricants can remain in the system significantly longer than with conventional filtration processes. Options such as internal, external or spindle cooling, disposal of recyclable materials, additional tanks and more enable an optimum complete system solution for filtration processes for individual applications.
“Tool manufacturers go to great lengths to produce high-performance cutting tools. This is because the production conditions now have a major influence on the final quality of the tool. This ranges from temperature-stabilized production conditions and state-of-the-art, fully automated hardware and software for grinding to automated testing and measuring concepts. The temperature-optimized ultra-fine filtration of the cooling lubricant is a key piece in the mosaic for achieving consistently reproducible premium quality in large-scale production,” Strobel said.
In continuous operation, the cooling lubricant is continuously cooled during ultra-fine filtration. Vomat offers various solutions for this. For the FA 120 – 240 series, the condenser is mounted in the cover of the filter system or optionally as an external condenser, which is mounted on the outside wall of the building with an internal/external switchover function. The control accuracy is +/- 0.2 K at an ambient temperature of 15-35°C with a cooling capacity of 9 to 40 kW. In addition, the cooling of the axis drives can be connected to the filter system as a modular unit. Strobel emphasizes: “The precise temperature setting gives the tool grinder the necessary security that there are only minimal temperature fluctuations, even in the micro range. This enables it to produce consistently high quality within the required tolerance ranges.”
Vomat also offers external cooling units with condensers that achieve a cooling capacity of between 9 and 60 kW. Another option is customizable cold water cooling with an external water circuit. If required, modular units for cooling axis drives, spindles and motors can be connected to the filter system.
“Our systems are designed as solutions for individual applications, modular systems and central systems. Thanks to their advantages, they represent an efficient alternative to conventional filter systems in the metalworking industry,” said Strobel. “If the tool manufacturer uses state-of-the-art grinding technology, our filtration technology with its high control accuracy gives them the security of producing consistently high tool quality in a reliable process.”
