In today’s world, sustainability is an essential factor to consider more than ever, and metalworking CNC shops are no exception. By implementing sustainable practices, you can reduce your environmental impact and save money on operational costs.
Here are some tips on how to keep coolant longer, keep tools sharp, reduce coolant disposal costs, and practice good housekeeping, all of which can help promote sustainability in your CNC shop.
Keep Coolant Longer
The coolant in your CNC shop is vital to your production environment. However, constantly replacing it can be costly and harmful to the environment. To extend the lifespan of your coolant, it is vital to filter it regularly and maintain it within the pH values recommended by the manufacturer.
Products such as mechanical skimmers or coalescers can aid in removing contaminants from the coolant, prolonging its lifespan. Additionally, consider investing in an aerator to keep the coolant moving to avoid stagnant fluid, further extending its life.
Keep Tools Sharp
Dull tools are a common problem in CNC shops, and they can lead to wasted time and increased costs. Keeping your tools sharp is essential for efficiency and reduces the number of times you need to replace them, which helps reduce waste. Regular sharpening guarantees the ongoing optimal condition and peak performance of your tools.
Use High-Quality Cutting Tools
High-quality cutting tools may seem expensive, but they are worth the additional costs and investment. Their longevity surpasses that of lower-cost tools and necessitates fewer maintenance interventions. This results in a reduced frequency of replacements. Additionally, high-quality cutting tools produce cleaner cuts, reducing waste and saving you time and money in the long run.
Reduce Coolant Disposal Costs
Managing coolant disposal can incur significant costs due to the need to comply with local disposal codes and EPA guidelines. Therefore, minimizing these expenses is of utmost importance. One approach to achieve this is by automating your coolant fluid process delivery and monitoring. This eliminates the inaccuracies associated with manual measurement and tank filling, which can result in incorrect brix readings and overflows. By employing this approach, the amount of waste is reduced, resulting in more cost-effective disposal.
Practice Good Housekeeping
Good housekeeping practices in your CNC shop are vital for promoting sustainability. Maintain cleanliness and organization in your machines and workspaces to minimize waste and contamination. Furthermore, ensure proper disposal of waste and maximize recycling efforts. Good housekeeping practices promote safety in your shop, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
To summarize, it is crucial to prioritize sustainability in your metalworking CNC shop. These sustainable practices will minimize environmental impact and control operational expenses. By extending coolant usage, maintaining sharp tools, utilizing premium cutting tools, minimizing coolant disposal expenses, and adhering to good housekeeping practices, you can establish a more sustainable and productive operation.
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About Zebra Skimmers:
Our mission has always been simple. It is to provide the metal working industry with the oil skimmers and metalworking fluid management systems they need to complete jobs quickly and efficiently. Innovative and affordable solutions have gained us many accolades. Our continued growth is due in no small part to our excellent customer service… Not to mention our satisfaction guarantees and the performance of our tools.
Among our diverse options of oil skimmers and metal working fluid management systems, you can expect to find:
- Coolant management equipment, which includes coolant mixers, proportioning pumps, and also coolant automation systems to mix and deliver fluid solutions at the desired concentrations.
- Industrial oil skimmers, including tramp oil belt skimmers, disk skimmers, tube oil skimmers, and individual sump coalescers as well for the removal of surface and tramp oils from fluids.
- Aeration or circulation equipment and sump odor control tablets to control fluid odor and overall machine shop smell
- Industrial fluid monitoring equipment, including brix refractometers to verify fluid solution concentrations, pH test strips and also water hardness testing sticks.