Machining in Cold Weather


Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Machining in Cold Weather

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    114
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Machining in Cold Weather

    Im a Southern California boy, thinking about relocating. What considerations do I need to......consider......about cold weather locations. Do you need to heat the shop 24/7?. Do you encounter weather related failures, hoses,seals, oil viscosity, etc. Machine warm ups? What temps trigger precautions. Thanks

    Similar Threads:


  2. #2
    Member vladdy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Perogie Flats, Canada
    Posts
    361
    Downloads
    1
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    for the most part, as long as the shop area is kept above freezing no major problems should occur..unless you are working in the tenths range, heat expansion from cutting can alter your end result..
    below freezing conditions screw up things like coolant, power loss from turning gears in the equivalent of grease, etc..
    I only heat my garage / workshop when I need it, and condensation has already caused some fine surface rust on my new 10" chuck on an old Gisholt lathe..and other items as well

    ??enjoy..



  3. #3
    Member Karl_T's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Dassel.MN
    Posts
    1542
    Downloads
    2
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I live in central Minnesota. I let the big shop freeze up in mid winter. Gets to -40 here, can't afford to heat to freezing when I'm not using it. I put polypropelene glycol in the coolant and spray all surfaces down with LPS-3 to prevent rusting. Before starting a CNC machine, I warm the computer to above freezing (lost a hard disk once to cold) and then start the machine. It has a hydraulic pump and I let the pump run and the spindle turn for 15 to 30 minutes before making parts.

    P.S. Now that I'm a bit older, I spend Jan. and Feb. in the Florida Keys. I just wasn't having enough fun freezing my a%$ off making parts in mid winter.

    Karl



  4. #4
    Member HuFlungDung's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    4826
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    If using your machinery on a weekly basis, I would recommend keeping the temp between 50 to 60°F when away. It could be just my imagination, but I don't like the idea of the mechanical strain and relative motion of connectors and circuit boards as they grow and shrink from wide temperature changes. That little bit of slippage induces oxidation of contact surfaces, or induction of crap into the contact area. You just have to work a little bit with the flimsy connectors that are commonplace in modern computers, to appreciate that they work as reliably as they do, because there is nothing robust about the connections.

    This comment is not meant to contradict what Karl said, as he wrote that he is basically shut down for months. The number of severe heating/cooling cycles that he would be talking about would therefore be very low.

    First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


  5. #5
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    us
    Posts
    7
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    it has been my experience to keep the shop climate controlled all year long. especially if your machining high tolerance. Im in texas and it will be 18 on day and 86 the next and i have actually seen parts go out of tolerance due to changes in temp. If we shut down for a few days over the holidays i will make sure the thermostat is turned down a bit but will keep it with in a certain area. drastic changes in temp WILL affect tolerance.



  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    114
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Thanks for all the input. I guess I was anticipating more drastic effects (failure) of machine components. I had already anticipated tolerance variance.

    Sure would like to move. Just dont know where to go. Someplace with clean air, unclogged freeways, and cheaper rents. Would like to get away from the city, but what about access to materials, tools, plating etc. ?

    Lots of things to consider.

    Thanks again.



  7. #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3319
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Depends where you want to move and how far from civilization you're trying to get.

    We're in a college town and people tell us "you can't grind cams there" but we do. Why, because we live here. With UPS and FEDEX, the net, phone and fax's, anything is easy to get. We ship to the Carolinas a lot and fedex gets there overnite - no sweat.

    Before you move, do some looking. You won't have some of the stuff that might be easy to get due to the aircraft industry that is in California. However, we folks in the fly over states find a way to manage 8-))



    Shipping can gobble up profit if you need a lot of outside help. Fortunately, we live in S/E Michigan and it is easy to get stuff heat treated and plated as needed. We found some guys who do great specialty heat treating and it takes a week to get just about anything done - 2-3 days if we drive it there and beg.



  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    114
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by NC Cams
    You won't have some of the stuff that might be easy to get due to the aircraft industry that is in California. However, we folks in the fly over states find a way to manage 8-))
    Right on...Thanks for the input.



  9. #9
    Registered RedGTZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    USA and Canada
    Posts
    90
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I'm up north in Quebec in a shop/garage and I heat all the time with cold time out here so hard you cant leave the CNC without heat, there would be condesation on the slide and ball screws resulting in severe damage... I have wood furnace, that help on the cost, i pick old wood piece for free in a place where the make cabinet



  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    114
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Thanks for the reply. Thats kind of the extreme I was thinking about. You are pretty far up North Mr. Red. The wood stove is a good idea. I have heard of running hot water pipes through the concrete, but that might comprimise the foundation for machine tools. Hope it gets warm soon. I bet Quebec is beautiful place. Thanks again.



  11. #11
    Registered RedGTZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    USA and Canada
    Posts
    90
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    I,m happy to helped you out, my brother has a car mechanic garage with heat tube in the concrete, this is so fun! your feets are never cold witch result you never feel the cold... but i dont think it would affect the concrete that much, all depends on the mix...



Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Machining in Cold Weather

Machining in Cold Weather