CO2 Machine Tool Cooling Operations
Dry Machining Features:
- Benefits operations that must be “dry”
- External and through tool cooling capability
- Precision machining of plastics, PEEK, UHMW, etc.
- Increases in tool life and tighter hole tolerances
- Additional capability can be achieved with MQL for certain applications
Dry machining is essentially machining without the use of any cutting fluid or coolant. Dry machining is typically reserved for certain applications, and it may never completely replace the use of cutting fluids, but is becoming increasingly popular due to:
- Operator Safety – Reducing fumes and splashing coolant
- “Dry” may work better for certain metals (Ex. composites, plastics)
- Eliminates messy work environments
Cool Clean has made significant advancements in dry machining with the ChilAire™ CO2 Machine Coolant Systems. The ChilAire™ offers the performance benefits of a liquid coolant and the environmental benefits of dry machining, all with great economics.
The process is straightforward. CO2 spray is created through an expansion of liquid CO2 into solid CO2 crystals, or CO2 snow, that are delivered to the machining cutting zone. When the CO2 spray hits the cutting edge, the ice-crystals melt and flash back to CO2 gas in a process called sublimation – capable of absorbing significant amounts of heat. The ChilAire™ system keeps the tool and work piece at ambient temperature, hence preventing thermal shock. Further, by controlling the temperature of the cutting zone, customers can use lower cost cutting tools on applications that typically require expensive tools such as Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN), Ceramic, Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD), etc.
Benefits of the ChilAire™ are as follows:
- Clean Operator Work Environment
- No Splashing Coolant
- Cutting Tool Does Not Experience Thermal Shock
- Improved Economics
- No Secondary Cleaning
