Mist filtration keeps it clean

Hertfordshire-based JK Engineering Ltd — formed in 2001 to supply complex components to the F1 industry — has geared its machine shop for automated production as well as complex small-batch projects by replacing its DMG DMU machining centres with five new DMG EVO five-axis machines. The higher spindle speeds and the use of through-tool coolant delivery have inevitably resulted in more coolant mist.

Priding itself on the high levels of cleanliness demanded by the F1 industry (and other prestigious customers), JK Engineering has always installed OMF1000 coolant mist filtration systems from Air Cleaning Systems Ltd (www.acs-ltd.com), and when DMG rebranded its machine tools and gave them a new colour scheme, ACS supplied new OMF filtration systems to colour-match these new models.

JK Engineering’s managing director, John Kenny, says: “We run 40-bar through-coolant for 50% of the working day and low-pressure coolant for the other 50%, so the machines are constantly filled with mist.” The OMF1000 units on the new DMG machines only run when the coolant is flowing, plus one extra minute to clear any excess mist. “They will pay for themselves in three years.”