Effects of Improper Coolant Usage

Is the paint on your machine tool peeling? Are your wipers prematurely wearing? These could be warning signs that you’re not checking the concentration of your coolant often enough, or that you’re not using the proper coolant. If you notice paint on a new machine starting to peel, soften, or becoming more pliable, these are indicators that there could be a coolant issue.

The Right Coolant, at the Right Concentration

Refer to your machine’s Maintenance and Operation Manual for more information pertaining to the acceptable coolants to use with your Okuma machine tool. Along with using an acceptable coolant, you must also confirm the concentration being used. Concentration can be measured with a refractometer. Full synthetic coolants are often easy to over-concentrate because many users are in the dark about how to use the refractometer correctly. Not using an acceptable coolant or improper concentration could make a normally paint-safe product act similarly to paint thinner.

Okuma works closely with QualiChem Metalworking Fluids as a member of Partners in THINC, and we’ve established compatibility with more than 20 of their fluids. Proper coolant management is essential to keeping your Okuma in tip-top shape!

About QualiChem, Inc.

QualiChem, Inc. offers advanced technologies covering a wide range of metalworking applications including: cutting and grinding fluids, cleaners, corrosion preventives, and metal forming fluids. In addition to ISO 9001 manufacturing, QualiChem provides complete after-sale technical and laboratory support for all of their metalworking fluids. By listening to customers and developing breakthrough technology, their team of formulating chemists continues to define the next generation in metalworking chemistry.

Thanks to Mike Breitkreutz (Senior Manager of Service and Software, Okuma America Corporation) and John Wiley (Global Marketing Manager, Qualichem, Inc.) for contributing this article.