Developed in partnership with the MTC over the last two years, Oracle provides customers’ individual machine tools with a constant supply of accurately mixed cutting fluid and captures live data relating to the real time condition of metalworking fluids in a machine tool’s sump, as part of the process.
In addition to monitoring, capturing, recording and storing all this data in the cloud (accessed via the Oracle unit’s dashboard or remotely via a tablet or computer) for immediate recall or future reference - Oracle also automatically senses and rectifies any issues it finds in the sump, regarding the fluid’s volume and concentration levels, as well as its pH - before they can affect the machining process.
Similarly, Oracle also captures data on the fluid's temperature, conductivity and consumption levels.
The result is a secure, fail-safe and future-proof metalworking fluid management system that optimises the machining process without human intervention.
Oracle units, patent pending, and will be manufactured in Coventry, ensuring complete and reliable quality control and fast delivery and installation.
Adam Land, Oracle product development manager says: “Although it is recognised that metal working fluids play a critical role in optimising machining processes, there is a tendency amongst some component manufacturers to treat fluid management as a poor cousin in comparison to workholding and tooling.”
Two units have been installed at the MTC, and another has been placed at a motorsport manufacturer. It will also be shown at the Seco ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ open house 21-22 September and the Citizen Machinery UK open house event 11-13 October.
The Advanced Metalworking Fluid Management Conference attracted 140 visitors to the MTC, providing food for thought on the best-practice use, application and maintenance of metalworking fluids in the machining process.
The event also covered LiquidTool - Blaser Swisslube’s (and Jemtech’s) approach to metal working fluid management.
The process involves Jemtech engineers initially investigating and understanding a customer’s existing metalworking fluid use, application and associated costs.
Says Steve Coull, CEO of Jemtech: “The projected gains (and these are often considerable) are based on facts. With the customer’s agreement we will then install Blaser fluids and monitor and analyse their performance. The end game being to deliver the actual gains as presented in the initial fact-finding stage.”
(Article updated at 15:45 2 September with a change to Steve Coull's job title).
