Near Dry Machining.(NDM)

[Willyb]

Hi Guys

I have been looking into Near Dry Machining (NDM) for use on my PCNC1100. Up to this point I have been using a Full Flow Coolant setup along with it's associated problems. (Messy, requires allot of maintenance and is hard to recycle)

There seems to be quit a few NDM systems available and one thing I have noticed from the research is that they are rather pricey for what you get? I would be interested in hearing from anyone using one of these systems on your PCNC1100? What do you like, what don't you like?

Has anyone built their own NDM system? Possibly one of the hardest requirements in building one, would be putting the very small amount of product on the cutter with out filling your Shop with a Fog. I understand that when properly setup these systems do not produce a Fog and use a very small amount of product. Like a few ounces per shift compared to the many gallons of Coolant.

Interested to hear from anyone using this type of system. Thanks for your help with my question.

Cheers

Willy

[Steve Seebold]

I use a spray mister called a FogBuster (http://www.fogbuster.com/) Coolant Sprayers: Fog Buster is a non fogging coolant sprayer mist systems, machining sprayers, spray lubrication system, metal rolling and forming lubrication system, oil mist cooling, metal coolant nozzles, spray lubricating systems, cnc machine made by a company here in San Clemente, CA.

I have been using them for 8 or 9 years now, and so far they have worked perfectly.

They use a pressurized tank and a reduced line pressure to push coolant out.

I run a line to the sprayer with 100psi and then regulate the spray down to between 6 and 12psi depending on what I'm doing, and I have absolutely no mist floating aroung in the air.

If you look at the other sprayers that use refined vegetable oil, also look at the cost of the liquid. That can run as much as $75.00 per gallon, while the FogBuster uses CoolMist products or any non parafin based liquid.

Remember though, a spray mister works really great on surfaces and side cutting, but I have found that it doesn't work that great for operations like drilling, tapping and pocketing.

[Steve Seebold]

Check out the Milling Around Archive for June 1012. Tormach is now promoting the FogBuster.

[uli12us]

You can build such a system with few effort, you can search in the older threads there are many things about it. I used a oil mister for years and haven't problems with it. But for Ally, I don't need a continuous lubrication and chip removing, so I use now a simple garden sprayer filled with kerosene and a fifth of it rapeseed oil.