Getting more coolant pressure out of VF1/VF2?

[mgb1974]

We have a VF1 and a VF2 mill which we added a additional pump to our coolant system. We also have the roller underneath 95 gallon Haas tank.

I was wonder if there is anyway we can increase the pressure of our coolant without sacrifacing the flow to much? Maybe like a booster pump??

Anybody modify anything to do this?

Thanks

[Donkey Hotey]

Why do you want more pressure? How much are you willing to spend? It's no further away than your friendly Haas service guy. I'd imagine that you could just buy all the Through Spindle Coolant pumps, hoses and filters that they sell and just use them in a 'normal' capacity. It's gonna' be pricey though.

[mgb1974]

We are doing some grinding operations and need the pressure to get the coolant to the part without the wheel blowing it away since we are spinning the wheel at like 5000rpm to 7000 rpm.

I guess I will contact the HAAS rep to see what he can do or if he can add it to our machines.

Was wondering if there is any easier ways??

[big_mak]

Wow if you are grinding one these machines, it should be a lot more than just a higher pressure pump as I was thinking. I don't see a reason to go through Haas and get raped for it.

But since you are gonna be grinding, you are going to need a filtration system to keep the grinding swarf from getting recycled through the coolant system and messing with your surface finishes. Haas does offer a filtration system, but I'm sure you could build one yourself with some canister filters. 10-25 micron should work well.

[Donkey Hotey]

Ahhh...that's why I was asking. If it was for through-spindle stuff, you had bigger problems. You can't just flood the area? I'm not that familiar with grinding. I can see how the wheel would fling off the coolant but that's no different than the surface grinders I've used. As long as the coolant is directed into the grinding zone, I would think it would be pulled through and irrigated.

Of course: my grinding experience is limited and I'm all ears if I've got it wrong (may find myself in this situation some day).

[mgb1974]

Well the problem is that we are cutting very hard metals. Inconel's and Mar-M 247 type materials. We are also spinning a 6" wheel extremely fast, anywhere from 5000rpm to 7000rpm. We need some pressure behind the coolant to get into the wheel with it spinning so fast. It is creating a fan like effect.

I found chipblaster.com, seems to be what I need, wonder how much it is??

[RODMAN]

I don't know what shape of type of grinding wheel you are using, but if it is a regular abrasive wheel then you might try a porous wheel instead. Then you can induce the coolant at or close to the wheel hub into a cupped wheel washer and centrifugal force will carry it thru the wheel to the wheel/part intersection. We used to call these wheels by the name Pors-away Grinding Wheels, but I think that brand disappeared a few years ago, but I am sure somone still makes porous grinding wheels.

[mgb1974]

We are using CBN plated grinding wheels. Did some reaserch into our coolant and seems like we are using a low grade coolant that is mostly used with aluminum. Might be one of our problems.

[Donkey Hotey]

Yeah, the more I think about this problem, the more difficult it becomes. In a surface grinder, everything occurs at the same spot and it's easy to aim the nozzle. You need the coolant to be introduced into the cutting zone, anywhere around the part, 360 degrees around the wheel. I'm interested to see how this is solved.