Craftsman Tools trims coolant costs

Otley-based Crasftsman Tools, which supplies precision tool-holding, work-holding and sub-contract machining services, has replaced its existing coolant with Trim SC516 semi-synthetic from Master Chemical (www.masterchemical.com).

This has eliminated the problem of heavy misting during CNC milling, turning and grinding operations, and Craftsman now uses only half as much coolant as before.
Product manager Paul Hobson says: “Earlier this year, some of our operators expressed concern about our existing coolant. The heavy misting was causing breathing difficulties and leading to hand irritation.

“We take the health of our employees extremely seriously, so we immediately began sourcing an alternative coolant. Simon Young, Master Chemical’s district manager, recommended Trim SC516 — a low-foaming, bio-stable, semi-synthetic coolant specifically formulated for the materials that we machine every day, such as steel, cast iron and aluminium. We conducted extensive cutting trials and could see immediately that our misting problems had disappeared.”

Trim SC516 contains no DEA, chlorine, nitrites or phenolic compounds, and it can easily be recycled or disposed of without special handling or equipment. Its formulation ensures low levels of foam not generally experienced with other semi-synthetic products, especially in soft-water areas such as northern England.