For machining applications that generate significant levels of swarf, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has introduced the new Chip Fan from Big Kaiser. The innovative new Chip Fan is a tool that offers a fast and safe method for removing chips and coolant from the work envelope without stopping production.
The blades of the Chip Fan are turned by the spindle on the machine tool. With a finely balanced design, the new Chip Fan operates at spindle speeds up to 12,000 rpm to provide powerful, high-volume air cleaning. This is efficiently achieved without any of the dripping coolant and flying chip issues that are associated with conventional compressed air hose blasts.
To ensure its long life and durability, the Chip Fan is manufactured from a high-strength anodised aluminium. Furthermore, it comes with a pre-drilled hole that allows through coolant spindles to distribute coolant through the centre of the fan to rinse off tables, fixtures and workpieces. Following this cycle, the fan runs at a high speed to remove any remaining chips or coolant, thus performing two cleaning operations in a single step. Ideally, the Chip Fan should be programmed into the machining cycle to minimise spindle downtime and maximise operator efficiency. Safety is also improved as all the swarf and coolant is neatly contained within the machining enclosure and kept off the shopfloor.
Commenting upon the arrival of this new system, Giampaolo Roccatello, VP for Sales at Big Kaiser, says: “Keeping production equipment clean significantly improves reliability and quality while also ensuring a quieter working environment. Our new Chip Fan means chips and coolant can be quickly and easily removed without any interruption to production. This maximises productivity and prevents costly delays.”
