Why use a filter bag?

How much can we save you on coolant disposal?

If you are only using your Freddy to remove coolant from sumps for disposal, you are missing out on the filtration and recycling benefits your Freddy vacuum offers.

Disposing and replacing used coolant can be expensive, so what if I were to tell you that if you use a filter bag with your Freddy, you could cut the amount of coolant you dispose of by half? 

All Freddy coolant vacuums have a two stage filtration system.  The filter bag and the filter basket.   Our filter bags range from 1000 microns to 5 microns.  Some of our customers will filter their coolant a few times to really get the benefit, firstly through a coarse filter bag and then again through a finer filter bag for the fines and tramp oil.  However, the bag you use is dependent on your application, so it is always best to talk to a Freddy specialist as to which bags are going to give you the maximum benefit.

 So why not make the most of your Freddy vacuum today and see how much you can save?


So which filter bag?

The filter bag you need will be dependent on the viscosity of the liquid you are using and the material you are machining.

If you are using neat oil or machining brass, cast iron or other heavy metals, we recommend a coarser bag, our standard recommendation is the 600 micron reusable bag, but we can go up to 1000 microns dependent on the thickness of the oil.

For general water based coolant, or lighter grade neat oils, we recommend a 200 micron reusable bag, but we can go down to 100 microns, dependent on the materials being used.

Once you have completed the first stage of filtration, which will remove swarf, chippings etc you can then repeat the process with a finer filter bag.  These range from 100 microns to 5 microns.  The benefit of this is the finer bag will remove smaller particulate, and help to remove any oil contaminants in the coolant, which the coarser bag will not remove.

Removing these smaller particulates will improve surface finish, extend coolant life, reduce the risk of skin problems and reduce downtime, for example a Freddy Ecovac could complete this entire process for a 200l sump in under 10 minutes.



Our range of filter bags is available online - click here to see the full range.

Freddy Superminor+

Freddy Superminor+ – Coolant recycling

What is the Freddy Superminor?

The Freddy Superminor+ is designed to remove coolant, swarf and oil from machine tool sumps, and recycle the coolant.  It is the smallest machine in the Freddy Coolant recycling range.

It filters the coolant through a filter bag and filter basket, collecting all the swarf, oil and any other particles in the bag, so it may be disposed of or reused.  The filtered coolant passed through the filters into the body of the machine, holding 100ltrs, and can then either be pumped back into the machine tool sump for re use, or disposed of.

The Freddy Superminor+ is easy to use, with straightforward instructions, and clear labels for use, it is also easily manoeuvrable, with a tilting chassis, and interchangeable drums, so it is easily moved around the factory with minimum effort.

The Superminor+ can suck out coolant at a rate of over 5 litres per second, and return at approximately 2 litres per second, with an overfill prevention system, making sure the machine cannot overfill and damage the motors.

Models:

Superminor 2kw

Superminor 3kw

Power:

110v

240v

400v 3 phase – 3kw model only

Some Superminor+ Applications:

Coolant recycling

Sump cleaning

Spillage control

Tank emptying

Liquid transfers

Quick liquid removal – flood relief

Some applications the Superminor+ is not suitable for:

Liquids at temperatures above 40c

Corrosive liquids

If you would like some more information on the Freddy Superminor, please call us on 01386 551943, click here to email us, or visit the website by clicking here

Machine tool cleaning

 Manufacturing’s ‘Life Blood’

Machine tools are the heart of the manufacturing process, and coolant is its life blood.  If coolant is not kept clean and free from debris, investment is lost through downtime, poor product quality and operator Health and Safety problems.

Swarf

Output of swarf presents a problem.  Removal of swarf should be carried out as often as operational requirements permit.  Accumulation of fine swarf on the machine bed and on drain trays provides a good filtering medium which weakens the emulsion. The same applies to grinding wheel debris. Swarf should be removed and separated from coolant as often as possible.

Tramp Oil

Because tramp oil has a lower specific gravity than water, it floats on a water based emulsion.  A layer of oil prevents air from contact with the emulsion surface and, causing de-oxygenation.  Under these conditions, anaerobic (not requiring oxygen) strains of bacteria multiply rapidly.

Bacterial Decomposition

Certain bacteria cause the breakdown of sulphate in the emulsion into sulphide, characterised by its offensive smell and responsible for the ‘Monday morning odour’.

Frequent and effective aeration, filtration and swarf removal are essential and extend coolant life.  This leads to savings in both coolant and disposal costs as well as fewer cases of skin irritation and dermatitis.

Skin Welfare

One problem is that of foreign matter entering the coolant supply.  This can include:

Ø      Fine metallic swarf, grinding wheel debris, oxide scale and rust particles, all of which cause irritation if allowed to remain on the skin. Good housekeeping in the form of proper machine servicing and cleaning in the machine shop pays dividends.  The use of industrial vacuums to remove this foreign matter will prevent the problem of skin damage.

Swarf Retrieval

Separation of swarf and coolant is, in many cases an end in itself, especially where expensive non ferrous swarf is concerned.  The separation can give a high return when clean swarf is sold to raw material suppliers.

THE SOLUTION

Freddy coolant recycling vacuums enable coolant cleaning to take place, with maximum efficiency and minimum interruption. Good machine tool/coolant cleaning comprises two elements:

1.      Regular and frequent cleaning on daily or weekly intervals, depending on the type and quality of the work being undertaken.

2.      Intensive cleaning at less frequent intervals.

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning ensures that sludge and fines are dealt with in small, manageable quantities.  Sucked up from the sump, they are automatically filtered out and clean coolant pumped back in one continuous operation.

Intensive Cleaning

The more frequently cleaning is carried out, the less frequently intensive cleaning becomes necessary and usually occurs only at the end of the greatly extended useful life of the coolant.

SUMMARY 

Cutting fluids give much better service if they circulate in clean conditions.  The retention of dirt, foreign bodies, grinding dust and abrasive metal particles is detrimental to the highly accurate standards and finishes modern machine tools are capable of. Swarf and coolant vacs play an essential part in good housekeeping methods in a simple way, so that modern machine tools and accessories can be used to their full potential.