Oil Skimmer Blog

Tramp oil represents a formidable challenge for modern machining centers, and its repercussions extend far beyond the confines of the workshop floor. This insidious contaminant can mar the very appearance of finished parts, tarnishing the precision and quality that machining processes strive to achieve. 

Moreover, tramp oil poses a dual threat to the well-being of workers; not only can it lead to skin conditions through prolonged exposure, but it can also permeate the workspace with a haze of smoke, creating a hazardous environmental atmosphere. This issue is compounded by a significant shift in the design of machining centers in recent years, which often feature limited access to the coolant sumps, making the effective removal of tramp oil a daunting dilemma that demands innovative solutions to maintain both productivity and worker safety.

The conundrum lies in the question: how can one efficiently extract oil from a coolant sump when access is severely restricted? This challenge underscores the pressing need for ingenious methods and specialized equipment tailored to these modern machining environments.

Abanaki Small Tube Skimmer

Indeed, a small tube skimmer, such as Abanaki's Tubetastic!®, holds promise as an ideal solution for this predicament. Its compact design and versatility make it well-suited to effectively remove tramp oil from coolant sumps, even in machining centers with limited access.

The Tubetastic! features an oleophilic tube that carefully navigates into your machining center, skillfully extracting oil from the coolant's surface. It offers versatile installation options, allowing attachment to the tank lip or seamless entry through a slot in the machine's side. Moreover, it boasts an impressive oil removal capacity, with the ability to eliminate as much as 1.5 gallons per hour (gph) of oil from the cutting fluid's surface, making it well-equipped to tackle virtually any tramp oil issue.

This efficient machine also incorporates a 50/60hz fan-cooled, continuous-duty motor, available in both 110v and 220v options, ensuring reliable and consistent performance. Additionally, it is equipped with standard collector tubes that offer reaches of 8 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches, or 24 inches, with the possibility of extending the length for specific needs.

How to Select the Best Quality Tube Oil Skimmers

To learn more about oil skimmers, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.abanaki.com

You are just one step away from downloading Abanaki's most detailed resource on our oil skimming equipment. Simply click at the button to get your ultimate guide now.

Coolant oil skimmers typically don’t come attached to CNC machines when they are newly bought. This is because nobody wants to admit that the brand-new machine is eventually going to leak oil into the coolant. This looks good on paper, but there is a reason why so many coolant oil skimmers are bought annually. 

CNC machines are bound to have at least a small amount of oil leaking into the coolant at some point. The skimmer will remove this oil from the top of the coolant for disposal. Without some type of coolant oil skimmer, the coolant life will be dramatically decreased. These small coolant oil skimmers will save you money throughout the operational life of your CNC machine.

The Crucial Role of Coolant Oil Skimmer on CNC Machine

A coolant oil skimmer plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and longevity of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. These machines rely on coolant oil to lubricate and cool the cutting tools, which is essential for maintaining high precision and preventing damage due to excessive heat. However, coolant oil tends to become contaminated with various substances such as tramp oil, metal shavings, and debris during the machining process. This contamination can adversely affect the machining process, leading to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance requirements.

The implementation of a coolant oil skimmer effectively addresses this issue by efficiently removing the contaminants from the coolant oil. By removing tramp oil, which is the accumulated oil from leaking machine parts or hydraulic systems, the skimmer prevents the formation of a sticky residue on the workpiece, reducing the need for post-machining cleaning. This results in improved surface finish and higher product quality. Moreover, by removing metal shavings and debris, the skimmer helps prevent clogging of the coolant system, ensuring smooth coolant flow and minimizing the risk of tool damage.

Additionally, a coolant oil skimmer contributes to cost savings and environmental sustainability. By efficiently separating tramp oil from the coolant, it extends the life of the coolant oil, reducing the frequency of coolant replacements and the associated costs. Moreover, the skimmer aids in the recycling and reusing of the separated tramp oil, minimizing waste generation and promoting environmental conservation. Overall, the benefits of a coolant oil skimmer on CNC machines include improved machining performance, reduced maintenance requirements, enhanced product quality, cost savings, and a more sustainable manufacturing process.

Different Types of Coolant Oil Skimmers

There are several different types of coolant oil skimmers available for CNC machines, each with its own unique design and method of operation.

1. Belt Skimmers: Belt skimmers consist of a continuous belt that is immersed in the coolant. The belt attracts and collects the floating oil as it passes through the coolant, and then the oil is scraped off the belt and collected in a separate container.
2. Disk Skimmers: Disk skimmers utilize a rotating disk that is partially submerged in the coolant. The disk's surface tension attracts the oil, which is then scraped off the disk and collected for removal.
3. Tube Skimmers: Tube skimmers employ a hollow tube or suction head that is inserted into the coolant. The oil is drawn up through the tube by a vacuum or suction mechanism, separating it from the coolant, and then it is transferred to a collection container.

Each type of coolant oil skimmer has its advantages and is suitable for different applications based on factors such as the type of coolant used, the volume of oil to be removed, and the specific requirements of the CNC machine.

How to Choose an Oil Skimmer for Machine Coolant

To learn more about oil skimmers, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.abanaki.com

You are just one step away from downloading Abanaki's most detailed resource on our oil skimming equipment. Simply click at the button to get your ultimate guide now.

An Ohio Manufacturer was facing a problem at its multiple machining centers were becoming contaminated with tramp oil. The plant manager was concerned with rising disposal and replacement costs for the five machining centers. With coolant needing to be replaced in the tank every three months, Hahn Manufacturing contacted Abanaki to find a solution to its troublesome coolant costs. After further inspection, it was suggested that Hahn use Abanaki’s Mighty Mini SST Oil Skimmer. This skimmer can remove one to two gallons of medium weight oil per hour. The stainless steel construction enables it to operate in harsh chemicals and heat, while the integrated timer lets it run only when needed. It is designed to reduce water content in the disposed oil. Its compact size allows it to fit almost anywhere.