Manufacturing revolves around processing raw materials into finished products — machining and fabricating workpieces into something useful and refined. But the aggressive cutting, grinding, and drilling can take a toll on equipment, especially cutting tools. Every edge has a limited life before it becomes too dull to perform, reducing finish quality and slowing down productivity.
The manufacturing process itself takes a toll on workers, too. Employees may be exposed to flying debris during cutting and grinding, along with equipment hazards on the shop floor. Even worse, smoke, smell, and other airborne contaminants can lower a facility’s environmental quality.
Facility and plant managers are constantly searching for solutions — both to protect employees and maximize equipment and workpiece efficiency. Sometimes that’s in the form of investing in expensive capital equipment, and other times, it’s a matter of implementing the highest-quality cutting tools to ensure long tool life. As for workers, it’s important to ensure they’re safeguarded with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize shop hazards.
Though these are all worthwhile options, there’s another choice that’s often overlooked: better cutting fluids. In fact, the right coolant can lead to a bigger impact on tool life and worker safety than anything else.
A New Age of Cutting Fluids
Since debuting in the 1950s, TRIM® cutting fluids have redefined industry standards for coolant in manufacturing. The latest generations of TRIM® outperform competitors both in sump life and finished part quality. More recently, in 2020, Master Fluid Solutions created a new category of cutting fluids, called neo-synthetics, with the introduction of TRIM® HyperSol™ 888NXT.
This new fluid is USDA-certified as 54 percent biobased, using organic ingredients instead of petroleum and other conventional chemicals. The result? A solution that outperforms most traditional cutting fluids available on the market today while also extending tool life, protecting worker health, and improving sustainability.
Better Cooling and Lubricity
Heat generated during the cutting process has the potential to affect workpiece materials and degrade cutting tools. Letting heat go unchecked can increase the possibility of scrap due to broken cutting tools or hardened materials too.
The newest generations of TRIM® cutting fluids are designed for optimal lubricity and thermal reduction, even in challenging metals like Inconel®. HyperSol achieves an unusually high degree of cooling and lubricity in a single fluid, allowing users to benefit from both without compromise. It’s worth noting that this type of versatility has never been achieved in a single product until now.
Greater Corrosion Inhibition
Poor quality water-soluble fluids can cause machine tools and parts to rust, but TRIM® fluids are formulated to inhibit corrosion on tools, machines, and workpieces with an easy-to-clean and minimal protective film.
Advanced coolant formulas need to balance cooling, lubrication, and operator acceptance. With its neo-synthetic formula, HyperSol maintains its high performance and reduces corrosion risk without the use of hazardous chemicals and improves the working environment for the operator. That’s how a European aerospace manufacturer increased tool life by 234 percent.
Stronger Microbial and Tramp Oil Resistance
Cutting fluids are prone to growing bacteria and other microorganisms that reduce performance and increase consumption. Plus, bacteria and tramp oil can cause rust and corrosion on machine tools if left unchecked for too long. Tramp oil can also burn when exposed to too much heat during the cutting process, emitting smoke and vapor into the air within the facility.
All TRIM® cutting fluids are antimicrobial and naturally resistant to tramp oil, especially when operators practice proper fluid management.
Less Irritation
Coolant touches nearly everything in a shop, including machines, workpieces, cutting tools, and even employees. Dermatitis is a known issue among metalworkers, but high-quality TRIM® fluids have a proven track record of being gentle on skin.
Naturally resistant to bacteria and tramp oil, the fluid is less likely to contain contaminants that cause inflammation. Additionally, TRIM® fluids can outperform competitor coolants even at lower concentrations, so workers are less likely to come in contact with significant amounts of these chemicals. Wilson Tool International reduced dermatitis complaints after switching to TRIM® products.
The Cost of Substandard Coolant
Cutting fluid only accounts for a fraction of every production budget — less than a half percent. Still, many shop managers opt for the cheapest coolant possible. This mistake may cost significantly in terms of productivity, tool life, and worker safety.
Transitioning to higher-quality cutting fluid will make all the difference. Call +1 800-537-3365 or email [email protected] to learn more about how we can help.
