Following a successful visit to the
TIMTOS 2025 earlier this year in Taiwan,
RK International Machine Tools Ltd, a leading UK machine tool supplier, has introduced the HC FENG range of Foodie chip and sludge removal machines for UK manufacturers, designed to transform cleaning the coolant tanks of metal-cutting machines.
Simon Rood, RK International’s director and general manager, says manually cleaning machine coolant tanks is traditionally a labour-intensive time-consuming, and often unpleasant process involving up to eight steps, including powering off the machine, draining fluids, removing sludge, and replacing coolant. This leads to considerable machine downtime and exposes workers to health risks. Accumulated metal chips and sludge in the coolant act as abrasives, significantly reducing tool life and impacting machining precision, while infrequent cleaning exacerbates these issues and increases costs for coolant replacement and wastewater treatment.
“The Foodie system is designed for efficient chip and sludge extraction, safely removing coolants, chips, and swarf with a high-power pneumatic pump and suction spout. By keeping coolant clean and free from abrasive particles, Foodie helps maintain machine efficiency, optimise tool life, and reduce cleaning times to a minimum.
“Foodie aligns with environmental protection and sustainable development goals (ESG), promoting a circular economy by allowing cutting fluid to be fully recycled, reducing wastewater treatment and recovery costs; and being an air-pressure-driven system it eliminates electrical plugs — enhancing safety and reducing energy consumption.
“It is suitable for various machining centres, lathes and turning machines, plus a wide range of other machines, handling neat oil and water-soluble coolants, and filtering all types of chips from materials like aluminium, copper, plastic, steel, iron, and brass; and weighing just 56kg, it is readily moveable and one unit to service multiple machines.”
For further information on the HC FENG range of Foodie chip and sludge removal machines, contact RK International Machine Tools Ltd
here.