Advantages Using Micro-Lubrication on CNC Routers

CNC routers are commonly used for designing and manufacturing products. The ability to cut, drill or mill aluminum, metal & plastic components with precision is why CNC routers are widely used by manufacturers worldwide.

These CNC machines require lubrication systems during the machining process, which keeps the tool and workpiece cool.

Common CNC Router Lubrication Methods

The 2 primary methods are flood cooling and micro-lubrication. The most common, but least effective method is flood cooling. This method floods the tool and workpiece using gallons of toxic chemicals mixed with water. It’s very messy and requires extensive cleanup of tools, work areas and soaked cutting chips.

The 2nd method, which is more cost effective and produces higher quality results is known as Micro-Lubrication… or minimum quantity lubrication.

CNC Manufacturers Trust MagLube MQL Systems on Their CNC Machines

Premium quality CNC router manufacturers are integrating MagLube’s MQL systems into their machine builds. CAMaster and Laguna Tools both use MagLube’s 21st century micro-lubrication as their preferred lubrication system.

MagLube offers a micro-lubrication system for CNC routers that substantially reduces the amount of lubricant needed when compared to the less efficient flood cooling method. When we say substantially… that is not an understatement. Operators using our systems can expect to use ONLY 2 – 4 oz. of lubricant during an 8-hour shift… compared to gallons of toxic coolants needed if flood cooling.

Additional Advantages of Using MQL Systems on These Machines

The ability to save on lubricants alone is important. But several other advantages make converting to MagLube a no brainer.

Because of the properties of our organic – biodegradable lubricants, you’ll experience superior surface finishes. Our systems and lubricants substantially reduce the friction during machining. By reducing the friction, we eliminate the heat caused during the process. This produces higher quality finished components.

Another advantage of using MagLube MQL is time savings. Time is money and unlike the extensive cleanup needed when flood cooling, MagLube’s systems require virtually no post-production cleanup, plus the cutting chips produced are dry, making it quick and easy to simply vacuum up and then recycle for even more revenue.

Specifics of Using MagLube’s Systems for Micro-Lubrication

• The MagLube system requires a designated air-line (80-120 psi) and can be activated by the operator with a manual slide valve or automatically with a 24V or 120V signal.
• When using the MagLube system, operators can expect to use between 2-4 ounces of lubricant in an 8-hour shift of production machining and will experience superior surface finishes on machined parts.
• Each system sold carries a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on all components.
• A toggle switch is installed on the right side of the applicator to shut off the pump and allow only air out of the nozzle for materials not requiring a lubricant.
• The LD-300L lubricant is a low viscosity lubricant designed for aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. It has excellent lubrication properties is non-toxic & biodegradable. The LD-300L is non-staining, has a low burn off temperature and evaporates like an alcohol.
• As opposed to traditional “coolant systems” the MagLube system is a cleaner, safer, more efficient and cost-effective way of lubricating your cutting tools.

MagLube’s One-Year Warranty on All MQL System Components

As mentioned in the points above, each system sold carries a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on all components and used in conjunction with our LD-300L lubricant, your CNC router will be producing the highest quality products you’ve ever produced.

Contact us today to discuss your machines and how we can help improve your processes. Don’t forget… our MagLube MQL systems also work perfectly on CNC milling, metal stamping, band saws, roll formers and any other machine needing lubrication.

Contact MagLube today

The Best CNC Milling Machine Lubricant

Having the most effective lubrication system on a CNC milling machine is critically important to maximizing efficiency, managing costs and producing the highest quality finished products. The vast majority of manufacturers out there are still using MWFs (metalworking fluids) and flood cooling to lubricate their milling process, which is quite surprising.

Why is this surprising you may be thinking? Well, since the introduction of MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) systems and lubricants, a small percentage of manufacturing engineers and operation managers have transitioned from toxic MWFs to MQL, also known as micro-lubrication. They have seen substantial improvements in virtually every measurable metric across the board when it comes to how their CNC milling lubricant process performs.

 

Why metalworking fluids (MWF) present long term health risks, and how to transition away from them

Machine operators around the world are exposed to toxic metalworking fluids on a day to day basis. The flooding and misting systems used require direct contact but also produce a mist in the workplace that's inhaled by these workers, exposing them to a multitude of different health risks.

OSHA has strict permissable exposure limits (PEL) for the mist created by metalworking fluids (MWF). But even with these limits in place, it still requires that each business adhere to these guidelines and also requires each worker to wear protective devices to prevent adverse health effects. Machine shops must use expensive mist collection devices to keep the air quality within the permissable limits, adding costs to an already cost intensive process.

In a perfect world, these precautions would protect these workers for the most part, but never with 100% effectiveness. Plus, we don't live in a perfect world so without constant monitoring of the mist collection devices and aherence by the workers to always wear their protection... the reality is, workers are constantly at risks of short and long term health issues.

There is a better way! It's called micro-lubrication or minimum quantity lubrication (MQL). It removes virtually all health risks due to MWF mist, removes the cost of mist collection devices, removes the cost and time of post production cleanup and is considered by those who have transistioned to MQL to be a more effective method of lubrication.

To get more details, visit MagLube's latest blog post!

Custom MQL Systems by Maglube Interview

Maglube is a global leader in the industrial lubrication industry. But there products
are not the typical petroleum based oil and their systems are highly customized and
retro-fitted for each metal working machine.

Industrial manufacturing has moved towards a more eco-friendly approach in their
manufacturing process, and Maglube's micor lubricants and MQL systems are on the
cutting edge of what is happening in this space in 2019.

A 21st century solution for industrial lubrication for you manufacturing facility.

In this video, we interview Vice President of Maglube to get the low down on how
they provide this ecologically friendly solution in manufacturing.

Read the blog post on their website about this interview by visiting:
https://www.maglube.com/industrial-lubricants/how-maglube-mql-systems-are-custom-designed-for-every-customer/

Connect with Maglube on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/maglube/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfjFfBp7-UZ9rwmH7xpH2jg
https://instagram.com/_MagLube_
https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturers-alliance-group-inc-/

MagLube's Custom Lubricants For Every Customer

Minimum quantity lubrication is the 21st century solution to industrial manufacturing. Having biodegradable options for lubricating your machining process can transform your facility from an outdated, eco-unfriendly plant, to a green - eco-friendly business.

Maglube MQL is a custom solution to maximize every machine in your facility.

Check out more info about Maglube's custom MQL systems

Custom MQL Systems

What Are Micro Lubricants?

Maglube offers biodegrable industrial lubricants that are among the best in the world. We have 4 types that work on virutally every machining process there is in commercial manufacturing.

See our recent post describing these lubricants and read our most recent blog post on our site.


Industrial Lubricants Manufacturer

The Quality of Metal Working Is Assisted by Proper Industrial Lubrication

The machining of metals on lathes and other devices puts the metals and the cutting tools to a fair amount of stress and strain that includes a fair amount of heat produced by the abrading, cutting or other action. This can cause distortion in the metal being machined and decreases the life of the cutting tool. Cutting fluids can give the necessary lubrication that can reduce heat, achieve a better-finished metal product and extend the life of the tool.

2 Common Industrial Lubricant Methods

There are 2 common types of metalworking lubrication; flood cooling and micro-lubrication. Maglube specializes in micro-lubrication. It’s really the 21st century, modern solution to industrial lubrication for metalworking.

Machining centers can turn metal, extrude it and perform many other operations, each of which produces its own degree of stress on the tools, the metal product being worked on and the lubricant itself. The type of metal that is being worked on can also lead to a variation in the degree of stresses. Extrusion of metals causes a lot of stress, with turning on machines being easier on the various components of the operation. Most lubricants used in metalworking are made of base oils with a number of different additives, that can add different properties to the cutting fluids. Metalworking fluids, unlike standard lubricants, can have a mixture of oil and water. The oil acts as the lubricant, while the water assists in cooling. 

Why Maglube Lubricants Extend Machine and Tool Life

Some additives can have surface reactions with the material that is being worked on, and this may not be intended. Some that have additives like active sulfur can lead to the staining of the finished metal product and lead to its rejection. Other additives help the metalworking process by helping in the removal of the machined material, and this can help in reducing any damage to the machining tool. Where lubricants require to have a solution that includes water and oil, it is important that the fluid used, be able to remain emulsified. High percentages of water can promote micro-organism growth as well as bacteria, and these fluids used for metalworking lubrication have preservatives that prevent this form of contamination.

Preservatives and additives aren’t needed with Maglube lubricants. Our eco-friendly lubricants are formulated with organic oils which make them biodegradable. Also, the composition of the lubricants causes them to reduce friction many times better than traditional oil/water mixtures.

Primary Functions of Lubricants when Metalworking

The primary function of lubricants used in metalworking is to reduce friction, by making surfaces slippery. These lubricants are then also able to reduce temperatures that increase during operations and will minimize the corrosion of the metal surfaces. They can also help to keep out any contaminants that can enter the system. Lubricants need to have the properties that can help to meet the operating needs. You can use different chemicals to ensure that a machine functions just as efficiently at very high temperatures. You can have a class of lubricants that protect the surfaces being machined, even when they are subjected to high pressure. Machine working of metals does cause the production of metal particles that are required to be removed from the original product for shaping it to the required configuration. These extra metal particles need to be efficiently removed from between the product being worked on and the cutting or forming tools. Certain additives attract this extraneous material, suspend them in the lubricant and then trap them in filters or other types of separators.

Industrial lubrication is an important part of metalworking and requires as much attention as other technical specifications that will help in producing the required product.