Oil separator on MM

[cn00728]

Hello,

On my MM, there is that little waste oil container on the right side next to the coolant res. How are you to prime that? There is one tube that runs up to the angled coolant collection tray, and goes through it up to somewhere... Is there a tray under each ballscrew to collect waste oil? Well, on the backside of the waste oil container support, there is another tube that just has an elbow pointing at the coolant. Is there a recommended oil skimer that mounts directly to this?

Thank you,
Alex

[Donkey Hotey]

The oil recovery line on my VF-2 didn't produce anything for a very long time. I was told by Haas to carefully blow compressed air (low pressure) through the line to ensure it was open. Sometimes they will get oil plugged in them or cosmoline will plug them from the factory.

Mine turned out to be clear. It's also important to make sure the line is downhill all the way to the oil collection bottle. I believe it's a passive system (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong).

I think there is a small coolant catch area designed into the cabinet that allows oil to float to the top, then run off through that tube. I was surprised one day to finally find oil collecting in the bottle.

IMO, you still need an oil skimmer in the coolant tank. All kinds of slime was found floating on the surface of my coolant. It all made it past that skimmer.

Do you have the 1/8 HP coolant system or the high volume one?

[cn00728]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the reply. I have the high volume coolant system, isn't the size of the motor overkill? Ha.

When you say it didn't produce oil for a very long time, what is that? I'm at about 100 cutting hours.

On the backside of the waste oil support bracket, do you have a 6" brass tube going into the coolant area with a turn down elbow at the end of it? What is this for? I'm wondering if people have been connecting a skimmer to this so they fill the waste container with tramp oil too...

Alex

[Donkey Hotey]

Hey Alex,

Yeah, that pump would be total overkill on a MM. I hope you got the top cover for it.

If I take the nozzle off the hose during washdown, that pump will empty the coolant tank in 30 seconds. The coolant can't even flow back through the drains as fast as it gets pumped 'upstairs'.

I'm not sure what you're describing. My VF-2 has a black plastic manifold of some kind (I'm guessing it may do final separation of oil & water in there). From there, it has a copper pipe that comes out and dumps the oil into the bottle.

In my case, I suspect that the volume of coolant being circulated suspends the oil in the coolant and it never gets a chance to be skimmed. I think slower circulation rates might improve how that installed system works but I want the 'fire hose' to keep the cutting area clear of chips.

Have you 'puffed' some air through the line to make sure it's clear?

[duenow]

Originally Posted by cn00728 Hi Greg, Thanks for the reply. I have the high volume coolant system, isn't the size of the motor overkill? Ha. When you say it didn't produce oil for a very long time, what is that? I'm at about 100 cutting hours. On the backside of the waste oil support bracket, do you have a 6" brass tube going into the coolant area with a turn down elbow at the end of it? What is this for? I'm wondering if people have been connecting a skimmer to this so they fill the waste container with tramp oil too... Alex

That is where the coolant goes back in the tank, I bought the high volume pump for my MM also. On mine bought new 2004 they cut the hose to short going up & was just laying in the push fitting. found out by pulling off the Y way covers & pouring coolant in there.

[cn00728]

Okay, sounds good. Thanks.

[Cory]

I'm experiencing the same thing with our VF-1. We've had it since May, maybe 100-200 cutting hours (not near the machine right now...so Im not sure).

I checked this morning and it's still got no oil in the little "do not drink waste oil" container. Is this normal? Should I go ahead and do the blowing air into the tube trick or call my HFO?

[HaasTech83]

a lot of the newer machines dont get enough coolant behind the ways for the oil-seperator to work properly. The Seperator needs the be full of coolant for the oil to float to the top and into the container. otherwise the oil just flows into the coolant tank. You should prime the seperator with coolant and it'll start working.

[cn00728]

I blew air in the tube, and have not seen anything come out yet. They have a note on the machine to prime the seperator also.. How do you actually do this?

[duenow]

Originally Posted by cn00728 I blew air in the tube, and have not seen anything come out yet. They have a note on the machine to prime the seperator also.. How do you actually do this?

I turned the brass tube up & poured coolant in, then turned it back down.

[Gomes]

When we got our vf-2 in June 06, it probably took about 2 or 3 months before any oil showed up in the waste container.

[cn00728]

Okay. Thanks for the info. I'm not real worried, but was wondering about this for some time.

Happy Holidays!
Thank you,
Alex