tacm said:
I have recently started a new job in the machining industry. We have 40+ cnc machine centers and make parts for the aerospace industry. I am looking for advice, tips, or links to companys that make generic cabinet filtration systems for elctrical cabinets. Each cabinet is different so all ideas are welcome. There is a LOT of coolant mist in the air here and room filtration is not an option. I just dont want to fabricate something custom for each machine, and i dont want to velcro filter material to air openings as my boss sugested. Thanx in advance, Steve
Been around the Horn on this several times. I think you need to step back and think a little more about this and that goes
DOUBLE for your boss.
1. You have mist in air - standard in machine shops
2. You need to cool the control cabinets
3. You need to keep the metal chips out of the cabinets.
4. You need to keep coolant out of cabinets.
Now then
IF all you do is put filters on each cabinet you have NOW made 40 mist filters and will be mopping coolant out of each cabinet.
I would think a single method / machine of removing mist smoke etc would be much more preferable since it will be better for the machines and for the people who are not really designed to breathe coolant mist and cutting smoke. This is in addition to "chip / dust filters" on machines.
I think an electrostatic precipitator would be a good start with those aluminum restaurant type hood filter to catch the coolant mist.
If you machines are producing a fine dust then do NOT waste your time with those scotch brite type filters. They are not fine enough and will not filter out the particles. Now you got mist and dust in your electrical cabinets.
Use a blower and a filter on its suction to pump air into the cabinet so that they are "pressurized" which in theory should ensure no contaminants sneak thru the conduit fitting knockouts (especially those that are not filled) and thru the so called door seals.
I would think automotive air filters would be ideal for this low pressure drop, high contaminant loading ability, should have good resistance to degradation from coolant.
Management argument is that filters cost money, they load up (they are supposed to), costs money to change blah blah blah.
Well on the other side it takes time to clean cabinets, and wait until they blow a cabinet up -- then you can hear them bewailing and sweating the wrath of the Almighty Production God and wringing their hands.
Dan Bentler