Suffolk-based Master Fluid Solutions has invested in a Makino PS105 CNC vertical machining centre to accelerate the development of metal-working fluids at its Needham Market facility.

The new machine comes with through-spindle cooling, a high-pressure capability and a 30-tool storage capacity, plus measurement tools to help the company collect vital data quickly and efficiently to guide the product development process.

The company relies on validated functional tests, including an on-machine method of evaluating lubricity, which is one of the key charac-teristics of any metal-working fluid.

Steven Florio, chief technology officer for Master Fluid Solutions (www.masterfluidsolutions.com), said: “We can also use the new CNC machine to develop data that is more relevant to our customers, in their language and using their key metrics. Tool life, surface finish and optimisation of machine parameters will be fully developed for all new-to-market products.”

“Key in-machine performance characteristics such as foaming, rust prevention and fluid stability will be vetted as part of our development process.

“The ability to establish functionality, troubleshoot and conduct in-machine product evaluation for our customers is also a critical advantage.”