CNC lathe processing

Clean Out Procedure for Water Dilutable Metalworking Fluids

Clean metalworking fluids perform better and last longer. When recharging an individual sump or central fluid tank, a “tank clean out” will ensure fresh fluids can perform efficiently.

The following clean out procedure should be used whenever possible:

  1. Drain the system or individual sumps.
  2. Remove all metal swarf and debris from sumps, trenches, oil pans, and filtration units.
  3. Fill the system or tank with fresh water.
  4. Add MASTERALL MC (Machine Cleaner) at 1:50 or stronger and circulate from 2 to 8 hours. During this period of circulation, brush all trenches and filter elements; scrub machines and oil pans.
    WARNING: Protective gloves must be worn by maintenance personnel during this operation. MASTERALL MC is highly alkaline and prolonged contact with skin may cause irritation.
  5. When physical cleaning is finished, drain the MASTERALL MC mix from the system.
  6. Refill with enough fresh water to circulate throughout the system. All traces of cleaner and swarf should be removed. Drain all lines and sumps. If the rinse water is exceptionally dirty, repeat this step.
  7. Charge the system or sump(s) with the required amount of water.
  8. Add Etna product at the recommended concentration.
  9. Circulate throughout the system to ensure proper mixing.

Occasionally, it is not possible to drain the system due to various reasons. In this event, try to incorporate as much of the clean out procedure as possible into one of the alternative methods below:

  • Used Fluid – During Shutdown: After production stops, add 1 gallon of MASTERALL MC to each 50 gallons of dirty fluid in the machine reservoir or central system. Circulate the mixture for 4 hours or longer through all lines and machine tools. Drain, rinse, and recharge with a fresh Etna mix.
  • Used Fluid – During Production: Not recommended for individual sumps unless carefully supervised. During production, add 1 gallon of MASTERALL MC to each 100 gallons of dirty fluid in the machine sump or system. Circulate the mixture for 4-8 hours through all lines and machine tools. Drain, rinse, and recharge with fresh Etna mix.
Grinding fluid by ETNA

Filtration Techniques For Metalworking Fluids

Filtration of metalworking fluids is a process to remove contaminants from lubricants, coolants or fluid mixes so they can be reused in a circulating system. Contaminants reduce performance and shorten the life of metalworking fluids.

Contaminants commonly found in the fluid reservoir are:

  • Metal chips, grinding grit or both (swarf)
  • Hydraulic and lubricating oils (extraneous oil or tramp oil)
  • Debris such as shop rags, scraps of food, paper, etc.

Filtration implies the use of filter media such as porous cloth or paper, and metal screens to remove solid matter from the fluid — this is the case in positive filtration. However, the metalworking industry also applies the term “filter” to equipment which settles solids or separates them from a fluid mix (cyclones, centrifuges).

Types of Filters

Positive filters and separators are the two basic types of filtration equipment. There are several variations of each type on the market today. This article will focus on positive filtration.

POSITIVE FILTERS: With positive filtration, fluids pass through a porous filter via gravity, pressure or vacuum, leaving solid particles (swarf) on the filter media. Several common filter types include cloth, paper, wire screens or drums.

Positive filters collect large swarf that forms a “filter cake” which in turn, filters small swarf and grit from
the metalworking fluid. The thicker the cake becomes, the finer the filtration — efficiency increases as the cake builds up.

Eventually, the density of the cake reaches a point where the resistance to flow exceeds the vacuum or pressure
that is required to maintain it. At a predetermined point, the pressure or vacuum is topped, or a level is
reached, where the filter media index, exposing fresh media, and the cycle starts again. Filter units can also be
set to cycle on a time basis.

Positive filter designs:

  • Gravity Filters
  • Pressure Filters
  • Vacuum Filters
  • Tube Filters

Prolonging the life of metalworking fluids and optimizing performance are very dependent on the
control of the metalworking fluid system. This control includes maintenance of the mechanical components as
well as the metalworking fluid. This is as important as selecting the proper fluid.

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The New ETNA Website!

At ETNA, we’re excited about the launch of our new website. Construction is currently underway and site users will notice updates and improvements throughout December and January.

We’ve made the new site intuitive and informative. Product details are simple to locate and product samples and SDS requests can be completed in just a few seconds with our product page webforms.

If you have any questions regarding the new ETNA website or any of our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.