Background:
Industries like medical, military, and automotive rely greatly on precision machined components. Manufacturers in these industries need these components to be produced reliably and efficiently in order to avoid costly downtime. Machine tooling companies play a vital role by supplying these demands. However, while working to meet the needs of their own customers, machine tooling shops face significant challenges with maintaining air quality, especially when it comes to managing oil mist.
Problem:
Recently, a Glacier Technology customer was experiencing a significant problem with airborne oil mist. On some days, the haze in the shop was so thick it was impossible to see across the plant. Visibility was not the only issue. This haze was a health concern for employees exposed to oil coolant particles suspended in the air. The shop’s existing electrostatic precipitator mist collection system proved inefficient, as oil mist simply traveled through the system like smoke rising through a chimney. This ineffective filtration created hazardous working conditions, where employees were regularly breathing in oil mist.
Solution:
To address this issue, the Glacier team developed a solution employing Absolent A-Smoke 40 mist collectors. In a targeted approach, eight of the worst-offending workstations were outfitted with these high-efficiency machines. Designed specifically to capture and reclaim oil mist, the A-Smoke 40 units were the ideal choice for this application.
The benefits were immediate. The Absolent collectors not only eliminated the smoke but also offered a unique advantage in that they enabled the shop to reclaim and reuse the coolant captured by the mist collectors. This is a dual win for both the environment and the company’s bottom line, reducing coolant waste while improving air quality.
Results:
The installation of the Absolent A-Smoke 40 units brought about impressive results. The eight treated workstations are now free from oil mist, and the smoke has been completely eliminated. Everyone was amazed at how effectively the issue was resolved, particularly the employees on the shop floor immediately noticed the difference and felt better about a safer, healthier work environment.
Moving forward, the plan is to expand the installation of these mist collectors to the remaining workstations in 2025, further improving the working conditions throughout the facility. By addressing the challenge head-on, the machine tool shop has taken a significant step toward providing a healthier, safer environment for their workers.
For machine tooling shops facing similar challenges, Absolent offers a variety of innovative, effective solutions that enhance both the environment and operational efficiency.
Need assistance with industrial mist testing or choosing a mist collector? Contact the Glacier team today.
