SpiderCool review

[single phase]

This is a review of a SpiderCool robotic coolant nozzle. I decided to put this review here in my home forum of Milltronics because this is where I hang and because this installation involves my Milltronics VM-15. I would be happy to assist anyone with his or her installation but of course I could add more value to a Milltronics instillation.

The SpiderCool device is manufactured by DCI Inc. Gary Gardner and all the guys at DCI were great to work with. I purchased the SpiderCool through Jaime Boxell at Production Pal. Jaime’s forum ID is “ProductionPal”.

The single most useful aspect to the SpiderCool is it adjusts the coolant flow to hit each tool individuality. I use 20 tools to cut small titanium parts and my longest tool is almost a foot longer than the shortest. There is no way for lock-lines to handle my production without me reaching in every couple tools to adjust the flow direction. With the SpiderCool I can set back and watch and listen as the job runs. Is this worth the cost? To me, absolutely I will never go back. Is it worth it to a shop who has to pay some guy to stand there anyway, I don’t know. The value comes primarily in convenience and to lesser extents safty and better chip flushing.

The SpiderCool can’t hit the backside of a tall part. So you will need to keep the lock-line system working with the SpiderCool. But the combination of the two systems automatically hits every possible geometry presented in my parts. Of course a coolant through spindle is perfect for most machining tasks but it is not an option for my old mill. If money were no object I would choose a coolant through spindle machine and put on both the lock-line system and a SpiderCool system. One thing I’ve noticed is that this programmable nozzle provides a really large diameter of fluid flow that can blast away chips much better than six smaller nozzles that are all arranged in a shot gun pattern.

Gary and Jaime are both welcome to step in here to answer any questions.

I took a few videos and photos of the system. Enjoy!

Video of operation of SpiderCool

Video of operation of SpiderCool

SpiderCool Electric Instillation Video Overview

SpiderCool Electric Instillation Video Overview

SpiderCool Mechanical Instillation Video Overview

SpiderCool Mechanical Instillation Video Overview

contents of the kit









Cheers
SF

[LYN BYRD]

WAS JUST WANDERING IF THE RELAYS THAT TURN THE CAROUSEL GAVE YOU ANY TROUBLE. THE REASON I ASK IS THAT BOTH ARE USED WHEN ADVANCING THE CAROUSEL. THE FIRST ONE FIRES FOR DIRECTION AND THEN THE OTHER ONE FIRES FOR A FEW MILLISECONDS TO ACT AS A BRAKE.
SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD GIVE A FALSE SIGNAL TO THE SPIDER COOL CONTROLLER.
WAS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ONE OF THESE ON MY VM17.

[bcromwell]

Cool Review and Interesting Product. Good Job.

[single phase]

LYN BYRD

I am not aware of what you are referring to. I connected to K21 (ATC carousel CW) and not K22 (ATC carousel CCW). I put my DMM on it and did not see K21 trip for CCW rotation but it is possible I missed it. In any case since I put the SpiderCool on my machine it has never lost its position.

I would defer this detail to the DCI engineers and to Milltronics. I suppose there could be some carousel changers that do not work the way mine does. There are a few timing parameters that could come into play with details like this and if need be DCI would make special code for your machine.

Besides the carousel CW signal the pocket sensor signal is needed; Y-IN 3 is the "ATC on pocket" signal for my machine. It was easy for me to find in my schematic and I would be willing to help any Milltronics owner who wants to trace this in their machine.

In the video I pointed to three sets of wires and so the last set was 24V buss power. DCI calls this input the "power good" input and I did need to connect it to keep the SpiderCool from reading a false tool change when I powered down the mill.

It took me a full weekend to put the SpiderCool on my machine but it went straight forward. I would say the most time consuming thing is just deciding how you want to mount the nozzle unit and make up the bracket for it. I used 1" thick nylon because it was laying around and was very quick to dice up. I made a cardboard cutout of it before I started and sized up the geometry before I started cutting and drilling. DCI gives you a lot of wire, fittings, hardware and brackets to make the job easier.




video of tool change

YouTube - SpiderCool tool change

YouTube - SpiderCool tool change

Cheers
SF

[ProductionPal]

"WAS JUST WANDERING IF THE RELAYS THAT TURN THE CAROUSEL GAVE YOU ANY TROUBLE. THE REASON I ASK IS THAT BOTH ARE USED WHEN ADVANCING THE CAROUSEL. THE FIRST ONE FIRES FOR DIRECTION AND THEN THE OTHER ONE FIRES FOR A FEW MILLISECONDS TO ACT AS A BRAKE.
SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD GIVE A FALSE SIGNAL TO THE SPIDER COOL CONTROLLER.
WAS THINKING ABOUT PUTTING ONE OF THESE ON MY VM17."
____________________________________________________________
Lynn Byrd:

There are timer/counter filter parameters that will eradicate/ignore erroneous signals....
_____________________________________________________________


Singlephase:

I can't thank you enough for giving this product a chance and for posting an "Honest Review"! Great job on the videos and the explanation of its benefits. I might also add that this product provides an opportunity for better success at "lights-out" production as well as alleviate some stress from the “daily” machinists' life.
_____________________________________________________________
Productionpal, Inc. has decided to give a 10% discount(indefinitely) on ALL SpiderCool systems to registered CNCZone members who mention this review- on top of any manufacturer promotions offered! I enjoy being a member of this community and want to show my appreciation towards the many here who help others with absolutely nothing to gain themselves...other than a warm-fuzzy.

"Keep your TOOL Cool" - to quote my supportive wife. LOL! Her contribution to the sales effort...