Chips and Fines Filtration/Removal from Machine Tools

These new conveyors for metal cutting machine tool chip removal are designed specifically to handle heavy chip loads and large stringy chips and balls of chips generated in milling and turning applications where high work piece stock removal rates exist.

In Booth E-5724 at IMTS 2012, Jorgensen Conveyors (Mequon, WI) displays its Wedgewire Drag Flight Scraper Conveyor that offers very efficient chip and fines removal for a reasonable price when compared to other more expensive filtration systems for CNC metal cutting machine tools.

The coolant must pass through the Wedgewire into the machine’s clean coolant supply tank, and in so doing, most of the chips and fines are effectively separated from the coolant. The Wedgewire is available in a range of openings and is specified based upon the machine tool coolant flow rate and the chip and fine particulate size range in the application.

Chips and fines from the machining process either fall directly to the bottom of the conveyor or are brushed off the top of the Wedgewire filter cell. They are then scraped off the bottom and discharged out of the conveyor into a chip waste receptacle. Based on the different Wedgewires typically employed, nominal filtration in the range of 150 microns to 400 microns can be achieved. Chip migration from the conveyor is greatly minimized, coolant life is extended and so is the life of downstream consumables such as bag filters and cutting tools.

Also being exhibited is the MunchMan, a new hinged steel belt conveyor for metal cutting machine tool chip removal that handles heavy chip loads and large stringy chips and balls of chips generated in milling and turning applications where high work piece stock removal rates exist.

The MunchMan employs a unique stacked conveyor arrangement at the lower curve and through the incline and chip discharge of the system. A traditional horizontal hinged belt load section transitions to the incline when a second hinged steel belt conveyor mounted above the primary conveyor is running the belt in the same direction as the primary belt. Both belts are designed with carrying cleats. As the chips and stringy balls of chips go through the transition at the lower curve, the chips and chip balls are literally sucked in and pinched between the two moving belts through the incline and discharge area. Chips are effectively compressed and trapped until they are forced off the discharge end of the conveyor.

The physical effect of two cleated moving belts compressing and moving the difficult long stingy chips and larger chip volumes is dramatic when compared to traditional single belt conveying systems. This conveyor actually munches down these chips to a lesser volume, thus reducing material handling. The MunchMan can be designed to effectively fit into most CNC lathes and machining centers with little or no effect on the space required vs. traditional single belt chip conveyors. www.jorgensenconveyors.com