Automotive subcontractor Tooling 2000 has invested in improving air quality in its workplace, improving the working environment and productivity.
The company has installed on-machine mist extraction systems from Filtermist that are protecting the workforce and allowing faster turnaround times between jobs.
Founded in 1996, Tooling 2000 offers everything from product prototyping and development to 5-axis laser cutting, CNC machining, precision tooling and presswork for customers such as Rolls-Royce, JLR, Aston Martin, Magna and Bentley. It runs a range of Hurco CNC machines, from the compact Hurco TM12i turning centre, and 3 and 5-axis VMX machines, to the large bed Hurco DCX42i, that are fitted with the Filtermist systems.
Senior Business Development Manager at Tooling 2000, Mr Iain Bubb says: “To eliminate airborne particulate in our facility we installed Filtermist systems. This enables us to take any atomised coolant out of the atmosphere inside the work enclosure immediately. This then enables us to do two things. Firstly, it protects our workforce which is of paramount importance. Secondly, it allows us to open the doors to our machine tools sooner which provides us with more machining uptime on our machines.”
With more machine shops employing high-speed machining and high-pressure coolant systems that deliver fluid to the cutting edge, airborne coolant mist is a significant and growing issue for manufacturers. As Iain continues: “Before having the Filtermist systems, we would have to leave the machine tool doors closed for an extended period, giving any atomised cutting fluid time to settle within the machine. The Filtermist system completely clears the enclosure of mist - this enables us to gain seconds on the production process and this helps our bottom line.”
If the doors of the machine tools are opened immediately after a cutting cycle with no mist extraction in place, the oil mist enters the air, creating an oily film on everything from the machines and the workstation to tools, the floor and anything else in the vicinity – causing a health and safety concern. Discussing this, Iain adds: “With the Filtermist system, we are removing all airborne particulates from the machine tool atmosphere. This keeps the inside of the machine clean. It also helps to remove the swarf as it does not stick to the tacky coolant that may be left on the machine bed, so it helps to keep the machines cleaner, and it helps with maintenance.”
“We take our employees' welfare very seriously, so taking any ‘nasties’ out of the environment is very important to us. Productivity is also very important to us as a business and that cascades down to the bottom line. With the Filtermist technology we get more uptime from our machines and that gives us better productivity and profitability.”